The Gedeb district is home to thousands of coffee farming families producing some of the most incredible coffees in the world. Located just south of Yirgacheffe, in the same zone of Gedeo, the Gedeb area is quickly developing its own reputation for stellar quality. Sixteen kebeles (villages) make up the Gedeb district, one of which is called “Worka-Sakaro.” The name “Worka” is very well known in the world of specialty coffee, but less well-known is that several coffee washing stations operate in and around Worka-Sakaro kebele.
In the Gedio language the word “Worka” means “gold,” a name associated with the friendly-natured inhabitants of the area since the days of King Haile Selassie. There is also a large native tree found arond Gedeb that the locals call “Sakaro,” hence the name of the kebele “Worka-Sakaro.” Of the 1,276 hectares encompassed by Worka-Sakaro around 679 are planted with coffee, demonstrating what a critical component our favorite beverage is to the farmers’ culture and economy. “Wuri” is another Gedio word meaning “high altitude,” which Worka-Sakaro has certainly earned with some farming areas topping out over 2,100 masl.