Washed Yirgacheffe from Ethiopia’s Dama Cooperative

If you've ever sipped a bright Ethiopian cup and wondered where it really came from—who grew it, how it was processed, and what makes it taste the way it does—this is the story of one specific group of farmers behind a classic profile. The Dama Cooperative produces one of the most recognizable washed Yirgacheffe lots in the world, grown at high elevation in Ethiopia’s famed coffee heartland.

The Dama Cooperative delivers a washed Yirgacheffe with clear notes of lemon peel, dried longan, osmanthus, kumquat, and bright acidity, finishing sweet with layered fruit and floral complexity.

Who Is the Dama Cooperative?

The Dama Cooperative is one of 26 member co-ops in Ethiopia’s Yirgacheffe Coffee Farmers Cooperatives Union (YCFCU), which represents over 50,000 farmers from more than 300,000 households. Established in June 2002, the YCFCU and its co-ops are all located in Ethiopia’s Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region, within the Gedeo zone—the country’s most celebrated coffee-growing area.

Dama itself was founded in 1979 and joined the YCFCU in 2002. It is made up of 1,728 male and 237 female smallholder farming families. These producers farm on less than 4 hectares each, at elevations between 1,800 and 2,200 metres above sea level. The dominant coffee varieties are a mix of Typica and local heirloom types (commonly referred to as “Ethiopian landraces”).

How the Cooperative Operates

Dama is democratically governed: every one to two years, members elect an executive committee tasked with making key decisions, such as purchasing new equipment, managing payments, and sharing market intelligence. The YCFCU also assigns professional managers to provide technical guidance on harvest and processing practices to improve both yield and cup quality.

Being part of the cooperative protects farmers from exploitative buying practices by local traders. The union also offers financial support, including loans when needed. This structure not only stabilises individual farmers’ incomes but raises overall production standards across the region.

Why Washed Yirgacheffe Tastes Like This

This particular lot from Dama is processed using the washed method—a hallmark of Yirgacheffe coffees. The washed process highlights the bean’s intrinsic acidity and clarity, allowing the terroir and variety to shine through with precision.

The result is a cup that opens with citrus zest and floral aromatics, often compared to jasmine or osmanthus. Stone fruit notes such as dried longan and kumquat appear mid-palate, supported by a structured, juicy acidity. The finish is sweet and clean, with layered fruit and floral tones that linger pleasantly.

How to Brew It Like a Pro

For the best results, FrontStreet Coffee recommends using a V60 pour-over with the following parameters:

• Water temperature: 90–91°C
• Grind size: Fine, similar to granulated sugar (EK43s setting 10 / ~80% through a China-standard No.20 sieve)
• Brew ratio: 1:15 (e.g., 15g coffee to 225g water)

The recommended pouring method is a three-part infusion:

• First pour: 30g water for a 30-second bloom
• Second pour: Add 95g water (total ~125g) over about 1 minute
• Third pour: Add the remaining 100g water (total ~225g) by 1:35
• Expect full drainage by around 2:10

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Dama Cooperative?

The Dama Cooperative is a coffee growers’ group founded in 1979 and based in Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia. It became part of the Yirgacheffe Coffee Farmers Cooperatives Union (YCFCU) in 2002 and consists of 1,728 male and 237 female smallholder farming families. Members farm on less than 4 hectares each at elevations of 1,800–2,200 metres.

What coffee varieties does Dama grow?

The Dama Cooperative primarily grows a mix of Typica and local Ethiopian heirloom varieties (often called “landraces”). These native cultivars contribute to the region’s distinctive cup profiles, especially in washed processing.

What flavours should I expect from Dama’s washed Yirgacheffe?

This coffee typically shows bright citrus (like lemon peel and kumquat), floral notes (such as osmanthus), stone fruit (like dried longan), and a sweet, clean finish. Acidity is vibrant and layered, with a fruity and floral aftertaste.

How is coffee processed at Dama?

This specific lot is processed using the washed method, which involves removing the coffee cherry’s skin and pulp before fermenting and washing the beans. This enhances clarity, acidity, and aroma—hallmarks of classic Yirgacheffe profiles.

Does the Dama Cooperative offer any support to its members?

Yes. The cooperative provides financial services such as loans and protects members from low prices offered by independent buyers. The YCFCU also assigns professional managers to help improve farming, harvesting, and processing techniques.

Where is Yirgacheffe?

Yirgacheffe is a town and coffee-growing region in Ethiopia’s Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region, within the Gedeo zone. It sits at high altitudes (1,700–2,100+ metres) and is renowned for some of the world’s most distinctive washed coffees.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Washed Yirgacheffe Lovers

Start your Yirgacheffe journey with FrontStreet Coffee’s washed Yirgacheffe, a bright and affordable entry point with classic white jasmine, lemon, and tea-like brightness. For a more nuanced single-village experience, try the washed beans from Gedeb—known for intense citrus, floral lift, and clean sweetness. Both showcase the high-altitude terroir and heirloom typica varieties that define Ethiopia’s best. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.