Licence to Mill

Longan | Strawberry | Milk Chocolate | Chrysanthemum | Complex & Clean

In 2017, Ethiopia’s export regulations changed. Mustefa Abakeno was ready. He became one of the first smallholders in the country to obtain an independent export licence — permission to take his coffee directly to international buyers, outside the commodity system entirely. He now runs five washing stations. Licence to Mill.

Details

• Origin: Ethiopia · Jimma Zone · Beshasha Kebele · Badeyi lot
• Process: Washed
• Roast: Handbrew / Filter
• Best for: V60, Chemex, AeroPress, Batch Brew

The Story

Before the 2017 reforms, smallholders like Mustefa sold their cherry at whatever price was set, with no path to premium markets and no direct relationship with buyers. Getting an independent export licence changed that. It meant direct negotiation, direct relationships, and the ability to separate lots by station — the Babeyi washing station from the others, this fermentation from that. He now manages 228 outgrower members.

In 2021, importer Falcon Coffees placed an agronomist named Harun alongside Mustefa and his neighbours. The collaboration improved quality at every stage: growing, harvesting, processing, storage, and lot cataloguing. Mustefa also established a small field laboratory with a moisture reader. The result is coffee with the kind of consistency that only comes from systematic care.

In the Cup

Longan and sweet orange on the nose. Strawberry and snow berries open the cup, moving into milk chocolate and sunflower seeds in the mid-palate. Chrysanthemum and a delicate floral dryness on the finish. Gives more with every sip as it cools.