Gigesa Washing Station | Guji, Ethiopia

Coffee Rooted in Community and Place

In the highlands of Ethiopia’s celebrated Guji zone, the Gigesa Washing Station connects hundreds of smallholder farming families through a shared commitment to quality and craftsmanship.

Located in the Dambi Uddo district near Shakisso, Gigesa coffee is grown at elevations ranging from 1,850 to 2,100 metres above sea level. Here, more than 500 smallholder farmers cultivate coffee on family farms, often just a few hectares in size, carrying forward generations of knowledge and tradition.

The coffee from these farms is processed at the Gigesa Washing Station, owned and operated by Testi Coffee. Established in 2014 and operated in partnership with the Yonis family, the station was created to support producers through careful processing, quality-focused practices, and access to the specialty coffee market.

With both NOP and EU Organic certifications, Testi Coffee continues to work alongside farming communities throughout Guji, helping showcase the unique character and potential of coffees from this remarkable region.

Careful Processing from Cherry to Cup

At Gigesa Washing Station, quality begins the moment coffee cherries arrive from the surrounding farms.

Freshly harvested cherries are delivered daily and carefully hand sorted by the station team. Any underripe, overripe, damaged, or unwanted material is removed before processing begins, ensuring that only the best cherries continue through the journey.

The selected cherries then move through flotation tanks, where density separation helps identify the highest-quality fruit. Healthy, dense cherries sink, while lower-density cherries are removed, allowing the team to focus on producing consistent, expressive coffees.

After sorting, the cherries rest briefly under shade before being carefully placed onto raised African drying beds. Spread in thin layers, the coffee is turned regularly throughout the day to encourage even airflow and gradual moisture reduction.

This slow, patient approach allows the natural flavours of the coffee to develop while protecting quality throughout the drying process. Depending on weather conditions, the coffee typically dries for 15 to 21 days until reaching the ideal moisture content before being transferred to nearby warehouses for resting and storage.

Celebrating the Character of Guji

The coffees from Gigesa reflect the unique environment where they are grown.

The combination of high elevation, rich soils, traditional farming practices, and careful processing creates a coffee that is vibrant and expressive, with layers of ripe cherry, tropical fruit, and milk chocolate. A syrupy body and refined wine-like finish showcase the depth and complexity that Guji coffees are known for.

Every cup represents the work of many hands—from the smallholder farmers who nurture the coffee trees, to the Testi Coffee team who carefully prepares each lot at the washing station.

Why We Partner With Gigesa Washing Station

At Common Goal Coffee, we believe some of the most meaningful coffees come from communities working together.

Gigesa Washing Station represents the values we look for in our producing partners: respect for smallholder farmers, investment in quality, careful stewardship of the coffee process, and a commitment to creating opportunities at origin.

Through Testi Coffee’s work, hundreds of farming families are connected to a pathway that allows their coffees to be recognised for their quality and unique expression.

Every coffee from Gigesa tells a story of collaboration—from the farmers growing coffee among the highlands of Guji, to the team at Testi Coffee who brings expertise and care to every stage of processing.

We are proud to share that story with our roasting partners.