Origins

The cherries arrive at the washing station and are evaluated based on key factors: color, ripeness, and density. The cherries are floated to remove any "floaters" to ensure only the highest concentration of fruit mucilage and maturation is used in the processing. Once separated, the cherries are placed on raised drying beds for 18-21 days, being rotated by hand every hour for the first two durings to avoid uneven drying and provide even exposure to air and sunlight.

The cherries for this lot were sourced from the forests of Hangadi, Tero, and Dembi Uddo Kebeles (or villages). Each lot purchased is directly designated to the specific village prior to any processing. Each village is a small kebele located at 2,180 masl in the Woreda of Shakiso in the Region of Guji. Cherries once picked by the smallholders are delivered to two sites that are operated by Tracon (exporter). 750+ farmers deliver cherries to the Hangadi Station over the course of the season. The Hangadi Washing Station is managed by Mubarek Hyredin who oversees the cherry selection, post harvest production, and compensation distribution to each local partner.