Worka Chelichele Gr.1

About farmer and farm:

Worka Chelichele washing station settled at 1,945 to 1,970 meters above sea level in Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia.

The station has 360 drying beds and each bed is marked with a code that makes it simple to keep track of traceability and processing status.

Process: natural, slow drying

Farmers selectively handpick cherry and deliver it to Worka Chelichele washing station.

Employees of the station then hand sort cherry and laid it to dry in thin layers on raised beds.

Cherry is laid on dedicated drying beds with shade netting to protect it from heat and the elements. This extra step (essentially adding partial shade to the drying process) usually adds 10 days to the average overall dry time. In total, these lots will usually be dried for around 40 days, depending on weather conditions.