07/09/2026
Who’s getting excited for Septembers station road food market?
We have a very special roast for you and we can confirm, it’s a belter 😛 read on for the educational bit………
Cherry Spark.
Ethiopia
Location: Megadu, Guji
Producer: Bette Buna
Varietal: 74112,74110, Wild Guji Megadu
Process: Natural - 144-hour CO₂ fermentation
Altitude:1900 - 2300
Cup Score: 87.5
Cup profile:Clementine, peach, raspberry lemonade, brown sugar
Bette Bunna, or "House of Coffee," operates in the highlands of Taferi Kela, Sidamo, and Megadu, Guji, Ethiopia. Transitioning from a family-led initiative to a community-focused organization, the company integrates high-quality coffee production with long-term regional development. Their operational model prioritizes traceability, consistency, and the empowerment of farming communities, viewing specialty coffee as a commitment to careful, transparent production rather than a mere label.
In Taferi Kela, Bette Bunna manages a wet mill that processes its own cherries alongside those from surrounding farmers, fostering community integration. In Megadu, Guji, the company partners with local chiefs and farmers to manage shared land, ensuring that knowledge and value remain within the producing regions. This decentralized approach allows Bette Bunna to maintain strict quality control while supporting the economic autonomy of local producers.
The company’s supply network includes independent farmers—such as Sentayu, Duba, Saffay, Hassan, Haji Bule, and Birkeneh—who process their own cherries into parchment. These relationships are built on trust and respect for the farmers' craftsmanship, ensuring that traceability is maintained throughout the supply chain.
A central pillar of Bette Bunna’s work is its "living classroom" program. Moving beyond traditional training, this initiative uses demonstration plots to teach farmers practical skills in agroforestry renovation, soil management, and decision-making. The company aims to reach over 3,500 farming families within two years. Supporting this is a nursery producing over 350,000 coffee seedlings and regenerative shade trees annually. Distribution of these seedlings is tied to the practical application of improved farming techniques, encouraging long-term resilience. Furthermore, Bette Bunna supports entrepreneurship programs to help families diversify their income streams, strengthening community stability beyond coffee production.
Technical innovation is a hallmark of Bette Bunna’s processing, exemplified by Lot W1, "Cherry Spark - Highlands." Produced in Megadu, this lot utilizes a natural process featuring a 144-hour CO₂ fermentation protocol. By placing highland cherries in a controlled, low-oxygen environment, the team manages fermentation with precision. This structured framework ensures consistency and allows for the development of distinct flavor profiles before the drying stage.
Lot W1 also serves as an "impact lot," with $0.50 per pound dedicated to building a community composting hub, including a vermicomposting unit. This project provides a practical site for farmers to learn how to produce organic fertilizer locally, directly addressing soil health and farm productivity. This initiative aligns with Bette Bunna’s broader mission to enhance agricultural resilience, reduce reliance on chemical inputs, and foster community-led development.
By bridging the gap between international specialty coffee standards and local farming realities, Bette Bunna demonstrates a holistic approach to the industry. Through its blend of rigorous technical processing and deep investment in human and environmental capital, the company creates a sustainable model where coffee serves as a vehicle for shared prosperity. Whether through experimental fermentation or the practical education provided in the living classroom, Bette Bunna remains dedicated to the long-term health of its communities and the consistent quality of its coffee.
