Espresso Ethiopia Wild Guji Megadu Natural

Ethiopia Wild Guji Megadu Natural – Espresso Roast

Bold, Funky Espresso with a Unique Anaerobic 'Kickstart'

This 87-point coffee comes from Bette Buna's own farm in Megadu, one of the most remote communities in Ethiopia's Guji zone — roasted here specifically to bring its vivid, fruit-driven character into espresso form. This isn't a smooth, chocolatey shot; it's a bold, "funky" espresso for drinkers who want intensity and complexity over comfort.

What sets it apart is the processing: Bette Buna's team developed a unique 'Kickstart' step, briefly placing ripe cherries in an anaerobic environment before standard natural processing begins. That subtle change to the sugar structure builds extra sweetness and body on top of the classic Sidamo natural profile — giving this espresso roast the depth it needs to carry such an intense flavour profile through extraction.

Expect blackberry, peach, cherry and passion fruit, with a delicate floral lift.

Ideal if you enjoy:

• Bright, fruit-forward "funky" espresso rather than classic chocolatey shots
• Bold acidity and intense complexity in a short, concentrated format
• Espresso with genuine farm-level traceability

Quick Reference

Taste Profile

• Sweetness: ●●●●○
• Body: ●●●●○
• Acidity: ●●●○○

An intense, concentrated shot layered with blackberry, peach and cherry, lifted by passion fruit and a delicate floral note. The Kickstart process gives it the body needed to carry this much fruit character through espresso extraction without turning thin or sharp.

How to Brew

Best methods: Espresso machine, moka pot

Water temperature: 92–94°C

Ratio: Start at 1:2 and adjust to taste — if the acidity feels too sharp, try a slightly longer extraction

Milk drinks: Can work in a flat white if you want fruit character to cut through the milk, but this coffee is at its best as a short, intense, fruit-forward shot on its own

Why This Coffee Stands Out

• 87-point score — among the higher-rated lots in our range, rare to see at espresso strength
• Bette Buna's own farm — not a blended cooperative lot, fully traceable to source
• Unique 'Kickstart' processing — a deliberate anaerobic step that builds the body needed for espresso
• Remote, high-potential terroir — one of Guji's most isolated growing communities
• 2025 harvest — fresh crop, roasted to order

The 'Kickstart' Process

After cherries are picked, Bette Buna's team gives them a brief "kick" — placing them in an anaerobic environment for a short period before standard natural processing begins. It's not long enough for full fermentation to take hold, but enough to subtly change the sugar structure within the cherry. The coffee then dries on raised African beds with regular turning and hand-sorting, building the enhanced sweetness and fuller body that lets this lot hold up so well as an espresso.

About Bette Buna

Bette Buna ("House of Coffee") is a young, community-rooted producer working in Megadu, one of Guji's most remote farming areas — mountainous, densely forested, and home to some of Ethiopia's most exceptional but least-explored coffee terroir. You can read more about their farm directly: bettebuna.com/pages/farm/megada-guji.

Who This Coffee Is (and Isn't) For

Perfect for:

• Espresso drinkers who want bold, "funky," fruit-forward shots
• Anyone curious about high-scoring Ethiopian naturals in espresso form
• Drinkers who value traceability and process innovation alongside flavour

Not ideal if:

• You prefer a smooth, low-acid, chocolatey espresso (try our Brazil Eagle Monte espresso instead)
• You take a lot of milk and want the coffee to stay in the background

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Espresso Ethiopia Wild Guji Megadu taste like?
Blackberry, peach and cherry, layered with passion fruit and a delicate floral note — an intense, concentrated shot with real complexity.

How is this different from the filter roast?
This roast is taken slightly darker to suit espresso extraction, building the body needed to carry the fruit character without it turning thin or overly sharp.

What is the 'Kickstart' process?
A short anaerobic step developed by Bette Buna, applied to the cherries before standard natural drying begins. It subtly alters the sugar structure, building the extra sweetness and body this espresso roast relies on.

Is this a good choice for milk-based drinks?
It can work if you enjoy fruit character cutting through milk, but it's best appreciated as a short, intense shot on its own. For a classic milk-friendly espresso, try our Brazil Eagle Monte espresso instead.

What grind options are available?
Whole bean, or pre-ground for espresso machine — select at checkout.

How fresh is it?
Roasted to order and dispatched promptly.

Is there a filter roast version?
Yes — Ethiopia Wild Guji Megadu Natural filter roast.