This coffee comes from Shantawene Village in the Sidamo region of Ethiopia, grown by smallholder farmers in the villages of Shantawene, Karamo, and Bombe at elevations between 1,900 and 2,400 meters. Produced by the family-run operation Daye Bensa, founded by brothers Asefa and Mulugeta Dukamo, this is a washed process coffee that earned 7th place in the 2020 Ethiopia Cup of Excellence. The cup offers a clean and complex profile with juicy acidity, featuring notes of raspberry jam, pineapple, and tropical sweetness.
Black Sheep Coffee Roasters was established in 2004 in Bishop, California, making it the first roasting company in the Owens Valley. Owner Peter Schultz sources through a direct trade model, having personally visited farms in El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala to build relationships with growers. The roastery organises its range into three tiers: the Adventure Series, the Golden Bean Series, and the Trad Series, with a portion of profits from the Fat Trout coffee directed to watershed conservation through the Friends of the Inyo nonprofit. The retail café caters to Bishop's community of climbers, fisher folk, and outdoor enthusiasts, serving espresso drinks alongside breakfast and fresh baked pastries.
