Jasmine • Apple Butter • Apricot • Toasted Coconut

Origin: Guji • Process: Natural • Variety: Landrace

Day eight. Cue dramatic music. We are miles behind, but spirits remain high and coffee remains excellent.

Today’s offering is Ethiopia Hambela Alaka Natural, grown in the Alaka kebele of Guji and processed at METAD’s Hambela station. Dried in cherry on raised beds, this coffee represents one of Onyx’s longest-standing sourcing relationships — fruit-forward, clean, and carefully handled from start to finish.

The card promises jasmine, apple butter, apricot, and toasted coconut. I remain deeply skeptical about the coconut, but let’s see where this goes.

Opening the Bag: Why Ethiopians Win

This is exactly why I love Ethiopian coffee. The aroma out of the bag is unmistakably fruity and floral — soft, aromatic, and inviting without being loud. Once ground, it leans into that classic Ethiopian profile: gentle fruit, rounded sweetness, and an almost candy-like softness.

I’ve been drinking a lot of Ethiopian Bensa Bule Hora lately from Mercury Coffee, and this sits comfortably in that same family — light, expressive, and clean.

Dialing In: Easy Wins Today

This one dialed in beautifully. No grind gymnastics, no panic adjustments. The shot pulled clean and confident, landing squarely in “oh yeah, that’s the one” territory.

Today’s pairing: protein-packed waffles with peanut butter, plus the usual Greek yogurt. Breakfast of champions. Or at least people trying.

Tasting the Hot Shot: Soft, Sweet, Classic

The hot espresso is everything you want from a natural Ethiopian. Sweet-forward without being sugary. Smooth finish. No harsh acidity. No bitterness.

There’s a gentle berry note — raspberry more than cherry — wrapped in a soft, almost jammy sweetness. Thankfully, zero coconut. I am not here for coconut-forward coffee, and this one mercifully keeps it subtle or imaginary.

This is classic Ethiopian comfort.

The Iced Americano: Muted Fruit, Full Balance

Over ice, the fruit-forward character softens. The sweetness stays, but the sharper aromatics calm down. What remains is a very round, balanced cup with no bitterness and no aggressive acidity.

It’s less expressive cold than hot, but still extremely drinkable.

Verdict

A textbook Ethiopian natural: aromatic, smooth, gently fruity, and endlessly pleasant. Not flashy, not experimental — just deeply satisfying and beautifully executed.

You truly can’t go wrong with an Ethiopian like this.

Day eight complete. Still behind. Still catching up. Still very caffeinated.