Dumerso is a washing station in close proximity to Yirgacheffe town. Coffee from small-holder farmers is delivered directly to Dumerso, as well as collected from buying stations located at key points in the area. The Dumerso mill is owned by a local family who live in town, and they have been focusing more effort (and space on their extensive drying beds) to natural coffees rather than their wet-processed lots.
This coffee is produced by around 700 smallholder farmers, delivering coffee cherry to the owner of the Kebel Dumerso Cheleba coffee mill, Surafel Birhanu Coffee Supplier.
Welcome to my Table, here in the corner of this cafe. Today we’re sipping the Ethiopia Dumerso, from Royal Mile Coffee Roasters in Haddon Township, New Jersey. Feel free to pull up a chair.
THEDETAILS:
region: Gedeo, Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia
farm: Kebel Dumerso Cheleba Mill
producer: smallholder farmers
association: Gondo Cooperative (New Kiriti Farmers Cooperative Society)
elevation: 1800 – 2000 meters above sea level
cultivars: Ethiopia Heirloom
process: natural
certifications: standard
BREWINGSPECS:
method: Hario V60
grind: 18, Preciso
coffee: 28 g
water: 425 mL
bloom: 1:00
pour: 2:30 concentric pulse pour
CUPPINGNOTES:
The aroma coming off this Ethiopia Dumerso is very compelling; lightly sweet, somewhat bright and lively, floral, and definitely nuanced. Of course, being a natural Yirg, there is that overwhelming blueberry scent, but it’s backed up by scents of strawberry shortcake, floral aromatics, and black tea.
Taking my first few sips of the cup immediately post-brew, I’m surprised that it’s not as bombastic as I thought it was going to be. It might be because of its slightly darker roast profile, but this coffee is actually pretty balanced; I think if it were any darker it’d be too roasty and any lighter would have put the coffee into that realm of natural Yirgs that I’ve grown weary of. Nay, instead this coffee has soft flavors of honey, ginger, vanilla, and lemon peel. It is a touch roasty, but it doesn’t ruin the cup; instead it makes all of the flavors just seem a little… cooked.
The more it cools off, berry bombs start do start bursting; but they’re very small berry bombs, and their bursts are minimal. I’m more impressed with the aftermath of those tiny explosions, as wisps of Earl Grey tea, bergamot, lavender, and vanilla kick up in the back of each sip, resulting in a slightly astringent finish.
Light body; silky mouthfeel; citrus acidity; slightly dry finish.
FINALTHOUGHTS:
Royal Mile Coffee offered up a natural Yirg that really dazzled the palate with their Ethiopia Dumerso. What I really appreciated about it was, despite its moments of bright and lively fruit bombs, it was a nuanced and very drinkable coffee overall; one that actually resembled a washed Yirg more than it represented its natural counterparts.
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Andrew is a husband, father, dog lover, craft beverage enthusiast, content creator, and niche market Internet celebrity. Formerly of A Table in the Corner of the Cafe and The Pulitzer Project and contributor to Barista Magazine and Mental Floss, he’s been writing on the Internet for years.