March 2025: Podium Gold. Kafiex Roasters
Coffee: Ethiopia Benti Neka Washed
Country: Ethiopia
Varietals: Kurume, Dega, Wolisho.
Region: Oromia, West Guji
Process: Washed
Producer: Benti Neka Washing Station
Elevation: 1900-2200 MASL
Tasting notes: Honey, lemon & lime, pear, tea-like body
The Coffee:
Benti Neka is a washing station in the West Guji region, known for its meticulous washed coffee processing. The station sources ripe cherries from smallholder farmers growing at high altitudes, ensuring a vibrant and clean flavor profile. Coffee cherries undergo careful sorting before being pulped, fermented for 36-48 hours in cement tanks, and dried for 7-9 days. The result is a coffee that embodies the true terroir of West Guji with exceptional clarity and complexity.
A strong focus on traceability sets Benti Neka apart. Using a voucher system, each coffee lot is tracked through every stage of production, ensuring that farmers receive recognition and fair compensation for their work.
This Ethiopian coffee stands out not only for its bright acidity and layered sweetness but also for its organic certification, a rare achievement in Ethiopian coffee production. Ethiopian coffees like this Benti Neka washed lot are prized for their delicate florals, citrus notes, and tea-like qualities, making them a staple for specialty coffee roasters worldwide.
The Roaster:
Kafiex Roasters is built on the foundation of curiosity and excellence, values that have earned us top placements in the U.S. Coffee Roasting Championship—4th place nationally in both 2024 and 2025. These achievements reflect our meticulous approach to roasting, and blending with sensory expertise to create coffees that stand out on the competition stage and in the cup.
Beyond competition, head roaster and co-founder Matthew Selivanow is passionate about fostering transparency in coffee. From direct trade relationships with producers to educating baristas and coffee lovers, Matthew's goal is always to bridge the gap between farm and final sip. He believe that great coffee is not just about precision roasting—it’s about storytelling, connection, and honoring the hard work behind every bean.
For March's Podium feature Matthew has carefully selected coffees that represent Kafiex’s commitment to sourcing and roasting excellence—coffees that not only showcase his philosophy but also invite you to experience the depth of flavor that precision and passion can achieve.