December 2024: Podium Gold. Theory Coffee Roasters.

Coffee: Koke Honey (Kurume, Dega, Wolisho)
Country: Ethiopia
Region: Yirgacheffe
Process: Honey
Elevation: 1,800 MASL
Tasting notes: Grape, Bubblegum, White Tea, Vanilla Syrup. 

The Coffee:

Kurume, Dega, Wolisho. Honey Processed.

Coffee farmers in Yirgacheffe are typically multi-generational, small-scale landholders, sometimes with only a few acres of land. Most coffees in Yirgacheffe are sold as cherry to centralized washing stations that help further separate flavor profiles. Many farmers also grow the subsistence crop enset ventricosum, also known as false banana.

Yirgacheffe is considered by many to be the birthplace of coffee and the coffee trees grown in the region are a naturally occurring mix of heirloom varietals cultivated among other species in coffee gardens and coffee forests.

The climate in Yirgacheffe is warm and temperate. In the winter, there is much less rainfall than the summer, with an annual average of 1525mm and a difference of 246mm of precipitation between the wettest and driest months. The average temperature across Yirgacheffe is 18.4 degrees Celsius.

The Roaster:

Theory Coffee Roasters started when 2 coffee roasters from Redding, CA went on a sourcing trip to Nicaragua and decided to collaborate rather than compete.

Starting with a mobile setup and then a coffee trailer, they then leased a building and began hosting events with their friends, who were also makers and artisans.

The momentum grew quickly and Theory Coffee is now a collection of 4 cafes, a roastery and scratch French influenced bakery. Theory regularly competes in competitions such as Golden Bean, Good Food Awards, and US Coffee Championships.

Theory has quickly become known for working with award winning coffee producers. They are passionate about creating long term, sustainable relationships in the coffee supply chain, and for crafting exemplary coffees that are known as some of the best in the US.