By Ben, Roastery Manager | Temple Coffee Roasters
An exploration of Ethiopia's extraordinary coffee heritage, the people behind Reko, and what makes this year's harvest so special.
Some coffees leave a lasting impression, inviting us to return to them year after year.
Ethiopia Reko is one of those coffees. A favorite at Temple since 2017, this year's harvest is an exceptional reminder of why we continue to return to it. With its vibrant fruit notes, delicate florals, and remarkable clarity, Reko captures much of what makes Ethiopian coffee so extraordinary.
But what exactly makes coffees from Ethiopia so special? To understand Reko, we have to start at the source.
Photo credit: Trabocca
THE BIRTHPLACE OF COFFEE
Ethiopian coffees are among the most coveted and celebrated in the world, and for good reason.
Widely recognized as the birthplace of Arabica coffee, Ethiopia is where coffee first grew wild, while Yemen is credited with establishing its cultivation. This rich history has contributed to Ethiopia's remarkable genetic diversity, with indigenous coffee varieties producing a wide range of distinctive flavors and aromas.
From delicate florals to vibrant fruit notes, Ethiopian coffees are celebrated for their complexity, elegance, and unique character.
Reko is a beautiful example of this diversity.
Photo credit:
Trabocca
A CUP WORTH SAVORING
Bright, luscious, and wonderfully expressive, this year's Reko opens with the juicy sweetness of fresh peach, followed by vibrant notes of ripe raspberry. Delicate jasmine florals weave through the cup, adding depth and balance to its fruit-forward character.
The interplay of ripe fruit, floral aromatics, and crisp acidity creates a layered tasting experience that is both lively and refined, with a lingering, almost ethereal finish.
Photo credit: Trabocca
ROOTED IN YIRGACHEFFE
Of course, extraordinary coffee doesn't happen by chance. Behind every cup is the dedication of the people who grow, harvest, and carefully process it.
Located in Ethiopia's renowned Yirgacheffe region, the Reko washing station receives coffee cherries from approximately 850 local smallholder farmers. The station is situated at elevations ranging from 1,820 to 2,000 meters above sea level, working with farmers who cultivate indigenous Ethiopian coffee varieties, often collectively referred to as Heirloom.
The washing station takes its name from nearby Reko Mountain, whose name translates to "challenge." The name reflects both the mountain's difficult ascent and the dedication required to produce coffee of this caliber.
Photo credit: Trabocca
A PROCESS BUILT ON PRECISION
The journey begins when freshly harvested coffee cherries arrive at the washing station.
The cherries are washed using water from a nearby river before being pulped and undergoing 36 to 48 hours of fermentation to help remove the remaining mucilage. Once thoroughly washed, the coffee is spread across raised drying beds, where it dries carefully over the next 10 to 12 days.
Every stage requires attention and care. This meticulous approach helps preserve the coffee's vibrant characteristics and exceptional clarity.
Photo credit: Trabocca
BRINGING REKO TO LIFE AT TEMPLE
By the time Reko arrives at our roastery, an extraordinary amount of work has already gone into every bean. Our responsibility is to honor that effort.
We roast Reko to a medium-light level, taking a thoughtful approach that preserves its delicate characteristics while allowing its natural sweetness, floral aromatics, and crisp acidity to shine.
Our approach is designed to highlight the coffee's inherent qualities, bringing balance and clarity to each cup while honoring the care taken throughout its journey.
Photo credit: Trabocca
A WELCOME RETURN
Since first featuring Ethiopia Reko in 2017, each harvest has offered something familiar yet distinctly its own, reminding us why this coffee continues to hold a special place at Temple.
We're proud to share another exceptional harvest and grateful to the farmers and producers whose dedication makes it possible.
We hope you enjoy this year's Ethiopia Reko as much as we do.
