Ethiopia Okoluu

Ethiopië Okoluu is a specialty coffee bean roasted by Rum Baba Coffeeroasters in Amsterdam. This coffee is known for its fruity and well-balanced flavor profile. Below you can read more about its origin, roast profile, taste, and all the other particulars of this unique coffee.

The Okoluu coffee comes from the Guji region in southern Ethiopia, specifically from the Okoluu area in the Oddo Shakiso district. This coffee is grown by a small group of about ~33 local farmers, united in the Okoluu Farmers’ Group. The coffee shrubs grow at impressive elevations up to around 2,150 meters above sea level. Each farmer cultivates a small plot of about 2 hectares. Traditional farming methods are used: the coffee plants are grown among other crops (intercropping) to support healthy biodiversity. No pesticides or synthetic fertilizers are used; all coffee is organically grown.

Rum Baba roasts Ethiopië Okoluu as a medium roast. This roast profile creates a beautiful balance between bright fruit notes and sweet, chocolate-like flavors. Thanks to the medium roast, the distinctive flavors remain intact while the bean gains sufficient body. A medium roast is versatile: perfect for espressos with a rich, smooth taste and still bright enough for a robust filter coffee. This roast also shines in milk drinks – a flat white or cappuccino made with this coffee is full and creamy in flavor.

Ethiopië Okoluu treats you to a distinctly fruity and floral character. In the cup you’ll find notes of berries and stone fruits (think strawberry, peach, or apricot). Those fruity impressions are accompanied by a floral aroma, as if strolling among blossoming fruit trees and smelling summer flowers. Beneath the fruit tones lies a soft layer of milk chocolate, which brings gentle sweetness and a rounded finish. This natural coffee is strikingly clean in taste; the balance of sweet berries, floral accents, and chocolate makes every sip complex yet approachable.

Okoluu is a naturally processed (natural) coffee. After handpicking, farmers bring the ripe coffee cherries to the local Okoluu washing station. There the cherries are dried whole on raised beds in the sun, a process that takes about two to three weeks. During drying, the cherries are turned regularly for even drying and covered at night for protection. This traditional Ethiopian processing method – drying the cherries with the pulp still on – amplifies the coffee’s fruity and floral complexity. Only after fully drying are the beans removed from the dried fruit and further sorted and processed. The result is a coffee with intense, natural sweetness and aromas that seem to come straight from the fruit.

This coffee is 100% Arabica and comprises a mix of indigenous Ethiopian varieties. On the farms, local landraces (also called “heirloom”) grow alongside improved varieties developed by the Jimma Agricultural Research Center (JARC). Examples of such JARC cultivars are types 74110 and 74112 – selected for disease resistance and high yields. The combination of traditional heirloom and modern varieties provides rich genetic diversity. This contributes to the complex flavor profiles Ethiopian coffees are known for. The varieties in Okoluu together yield a coffee with both classic floral Ethiopian traits and consistent quality and productivity on the farm.

The cultivation of Ethiopië Okoluu is sustainable and small-scale in nature. The coffee is organically certified: no chemical pesticides or fertilizers are used in production. By growing coffee shrubs among other crops (such as vegetables or fruit for household use), farmers maintain soil fertility and biodiversity. They are also increasingly adopting new resistant coffee varieties, which helps reduce disease and future-proof their harvests. As a specialty coffee, Okoluu also receives a fair price on the market. Specialty roasters often pay significantly more than the standard commodity price. For illustration: in one case, around $3.90 per pound was paid for Okoluu green beans, well above the Fair Trade minimum price of $2.45. This means more income for the farmers and an investment in their community. The focus on quality, organic cultivation, and fair trade makes this coffee an ethically responsible choice.

This coffee lends itself beautifully to a range of brew methods. Thanks to the medium roast profile, Okoluu performs well as both espresso and filter coffee. For espresso (in a semi-automatic machine or moka pot) you’ll get a rich, smooth cup with fruity undertones and a chocolaty finish. In filter preparations (such as a V60 pour-over, Aeropress, or a classic drip machine) the bright acidity and floral aromatics come forward for a lively cup. In a cafetière (French press) this coffee also yields a full and sweet result. Rum Baba offers the beans as whole bean or pre-ground to the right grind size for your brew method – from fine for espresso to coarse for French press. You can get started right away with your favorite style. Tip: this Okoluu also tastes fantastic in milk recipes; a latte with oat milk picks up a pleasant fruity accent and creamy chocolate hint thanks to this coffee.

Ethiopië Okoluu garners a lot of praise in the coffee world. Although this specific lot does not appear to have won formal awards, it is highly regarded by experts. Green coffee importer Sucafina praised Okoluu for its “perfect balance of alluring fruit (berries, citrus, florals) and sweet chocolate”, a coffee that exceeded all their expectations. Specialty roasters likewise extol its quality: the American roaster Counter Culture described an Okoluu lot as “exceptional” with sparkling blood-orange acidity and a wildflower finish. Consumer feedback is similarly positive; when available, it often receives excellent ratings (think 4.5 to 5 stars) for its distinctive flavor profile. The combination of unique origin and careful processing results in a coffee that captivates both professionals and coffee lovers.

Rum Baba packages Ethiopië Okoluu in an eye-catching, colorful bag that grabs attention. The 250-gram bag is bright yellow with a playful pattern and a clear front label. The label lists all key details: the origin “Ethiopia Okoluu”, the flavor specification (for example, “Berries, Stonefruit, Milk Chocolate”), and information on variety, process, region, and the coffee farm. The design is modern and friendly, fully aligned with Rum Baba’s house style. The sturdy, resealable packaging keeps the beans fresh, while the clear design reflects the coffee’s lively and fruity personality.

Ethiopië Okoluu is a seasonal single-origin coffee available in limited quantities. At Rum Baba Coffeeroasters, this coffee is typically offered in 250 grams and 1 kilogram packages. The price for a 250-gram bag is around €15.75. For dedicated coffee drinkers or the hospitality industry, there is the more affordably priced 1 kg bag at about €50.00. That makes the price per kilo significantly lower, which is attractive for bulk buyers. You can order Okoluu online via the Rum Baba webshop or buy it in their Amsterdam coffee shops. Note: popular harvests like this can sell out quickly. Since Okoluu is our first Ethiopian newcomer of the season, it is available while stocks last. So stock up in time to enjoy this unique coffee.