Kerchanshe Leads a Deep Dive into Ethiopia’s Coffee Cradle
Addis Ababa – Qahwa World
The Coffee Origins Trip (COT), the high-impact expedition that redefined origin transparency, is set to return for its second edition from December 7–12.
Hosted by the Kerchanshe Group —Ethiopia’s largest coffee exporter and a revolutionary force in value chain modernization—this year’s journey is positioned as a critical field study into the future resilience of Arabica coffee.
The six-day immersion is specifically designed for international buyers, roasters, and researchers tasked with navigating the global specialty sector’s most pressing challenges: climate volatility, increasing traceability demands, and sustaining genetic diversity. The expedition will move across the famed highlands of Arsi, Bale, West Arsi, Sidama, Guji, and Gedeo —terroirs that are the literal birthplace of the Coffea arabica species.
The Research Mission: From Forest Genetics to Global Cup
Unlike typical origin trips, the COT agenda is built around an intensive research and development framework. The first days will focus on ecological vulnerability and resilience, with participants engaging with forest experts in the Arsi and Bale highlands—areas essential to understanding Arabica’s ancestral ecology and the genetic resources needed to combat climate change.
Israel Degefa, Kerchanshe Group CEO and the mastermind behind the trip commented: “The goal is to connect the sensory experience in the cup directly to the environmental reality on the ground. This is about moving beyond transaction; it’s about co-investing in the stability of our most precious commodity.”
The itinerary then pivots to innovation, with on-site access to best-practice operations, offered by the host, including the modern processing standards at Worka and Debeka farms. A dedicated cupping session at a state-of-the-art coffee lab in Bule Hora will feature unreleased micro-lots and experimental processing profiles, giving buyers an early glimpse into Ethiopia’s evolving flavor portfolio ahead of the 2025 shipping cycle.
Traceability, Transparency, and Cultural Value
A major focus of COT is demonstrating the feasibility of end-to-end traceability in Ethiopia’s complex smallholder system. Walkthroughs of the Tore Washing Stations will showcase the latest advancements in drying systems and export preparation protocols, addressing the critical industry need for verifiable, farm-level transparency.
Crucially, the cultural component—highlighted by the traditional Buna Qalaa ceremony—is integrated to emphasize that cultural heritage is a non-negotiable value add for Ethiopia’s coffee. By weaving in community dialogue and storytelling, the host organization underscores that sustainability must encompass the social and historical narrative of the land and its people.
COT’s final session in Addis Ababa on December 12 is expected to transition into a closed-door discussion on potential collaborations, setting the tone for how international partners and the host organization, which supports millions of farmer livelihoods, can co-design a more resilient and rewarding specialty coffee supply chain.
