Ethiopia: Mensur Aba Hika, Natural

Mensur Aba Hika owns an 18-hectare farm in the Jimma region of Ethiopia. The region isn’t traditionally known for high-quality natural coffees, but Mensur’s meticulous approach to processing demonstrates the potential of this area. Previously, most Ethiopian coffees were sold through washing stations or regional cooperatives, such as those in Yirgacheffe, making it difficult for individual farmers to gain recognition. Recent regulatory changes now allow producers like Mensur to export under their own names, giving him the opportunity to showcase his work directly on the global stage.

Mensur is a founding member of the Tokuma Farmer Group, a collective of smallholder farmers in Western Ethiopia. The group was formed to share knowledge, improve quality, and collaborate on marketing and logistics, enabling members to better navigate the challenges of the specialty coffee sector. Operating at altitudes of roughly 1,950–2,200 meters, the group benefits from fertile soils and a favorable climate, while also maintaining a strong commitment to ecological balance and sustainable practices.

Over the past three years, the Tokuma Farmer Group has seen significant improvements in both quality and consistency, with members refining their post-harvest processes and becoming more reliable in delivering coffee to the port on time. This collective approach not only strengthens the reputation of the group but also allows individual producers like Mensur to thrive, highlighting the importance of collaboration, transparency, and farmer-led initiatives in Ethiopia’s evolving coffee landscape.

This coffee will be featured on our coffee discovery subscription In My Mug on Friday the 3rd of October, 2025.

A clean white grape at the start gives way to a deep, sweet cup full of peaches and cream. A little nectarine in the finish and on the aftertaste adds complexity to those juicy stone fruit flavours.

• Country: Ethiopia
• Region: Oromia
• Zone: Jimma
  
• Woreda: Gomma
• Collective: Tokuma Farmer Group
• Varietals: JARC 74110 & JARC 74112
• Processing: Natural
• Producer: Mensur Aba Hika
• Altitude: 2,000 m.a.s.l.

Tasting notes: Peaches and cream, white grape, nectarine.

Cup of Excellence Cupping Scores

• Clean cup: (1–8): 6.5
• Sweetness: (1–8): 6.5
• Acidity: (1–8): 6
• Mouthfeel: (1–8): 6.5
• Flavour: (1–8): 6.5
• Aftertaste: (1–8): 6
• Balance: (1–8): 6
• Overall: (1–8): 7
• Correction:(+36): +36
• Total (max. 100): 87

Roast Information
Medium: through first and look for the middle of the gap before you drop this. Don't get caught out under developing this coffee, or you'll lose the juicy fruitiness.