Ethiopian coffee, a modern day story. When Daye Bensa visited Dear Green
Last month, we had the privilege of hosting The Coffee Legends and familiar faces from Daye Bensa—a visit to our roastery that felt less like a promotional book launch stop and more like a heartfelt reunion.
From the misty highlands of Sidama to the cups of coffee loved across Scotland, Daye Bensa’s beans have carried a story—one of craftsmanship, community, and care. Hosting their Glasgow Book Launch, celebrating Ethiopian coffee culture, history, and trade at our roastery, was an opportunity to reflect on our journey and connection so far.
At the heart of this visit was the bookBunna: Ethiopian Coffee – A Modern-Day Story by Kenean Asefa Dukamo, the son of Asefa Dukamo, founder of Daye Bensa Coffee, also in attendance. Kenean’s presentation about the book offered an in-depth look at Ethiopia’s rich coffee heritage and the meticulous journey from farm to cup.
The session was a chance to not only taste Daye Bensa’s incredible coffees but also engage in meaningful discussions about the future of coffee growing, sustainability, and the importance of preserving Ethiopia’s coffee traditions.
We were first introduced to Daye Bensa back in October 2020, in what was a truly unique and challenging year.Ethiopian coffee crops are typically harvested from November to February,and roasters need to lock in their coffee for the year ahead. But during the pandemic, committing to stock was nearly impossible—our wholesale hospitality customers had closed, and the future felt uncertain. Instead, we shifted our focus to retail, sourcing only the most exceptional, small-batch coffees. That’s when we discovered a Dear Green fave, Bombe, from Gatta Farm. It was delicious, so we ordered more. Then we asked,“What other coffee can we secure from these great coffee producers?” That led us to Odaco, a naturally processed coffee, from a nearby village, processed at the same farm.
Year after year, our admiration for Daye Bensa’s coffee only deepened, culminating in our visit to Sidama with Falcon Coffees in 2023. That same year, our team showcased Odaco at the SCA UK Barista Championships—a testament to its outstanding quality.
Later in 2023, by chance we connected with Atrie Weno from Ethiopia and subsequently welcomed him to the Glasgow Coffee Festival last year to host a cupping and an Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony with The Coffee Legends and his wife, Marta. We had indeed visited the coffee production which Atrie had a long-standing history with and which he is now representing in the UK, Daye Bensa, in Sidama in 2023 and have long been supporters and lovers of the incredible coffee produced there—one of which is the much-loved Odaco.
But perhaps the most meaningful moment of the day came in the form of a simple gesture. As a token of appreciation, the women of Daye Bensa gifted beautifully handcrafted bags made from recycled coffee sacks to the women of Dear Green. More than just a gift, these bags symbolised a shared journey—of hard work, sustainability, and the impact women have in coffee at every stage of the supply chain.
As we look to the future, our collaboration with Daye Bensa continues to evolve. With new lots on the horizon and a deepened commitment to transparency and sustainability, we’re excited for what’s next. This visit was a moment of reflection and gratitude, but also a launchpad for even greater things to come.
To our friends at Daye Bensa—thank you for your time, your coffee, and your generosity. We can’t wait to see you at this year's Coffee Festival!!!
You can buy the Daye Bensa book here: Daye Bensa Book
Check out our Ethiopian coffees here.