Extract Coffee Roasters Ethiopia Hambela Review

Extract Coffee Roasters are based in Bristol and have been one of the South West’s best-kept secrets in specialty coffee since 2007. They’re serious about sourcing (direct trade relationships, transparent farm information, small-batch roasting) but operate entirely outwith the London hype machine. What they do is just quietly excellent.

The Ethiopia Hambela Natural is a recurring offering that demonstrates exactly why natural-process Ethiopian coffees have such a devoted following.

Hambela: The Farm and Processing

The Hambela washing station (used here in name; the natural process actually involves no washing) sits in the Guji zone of southern Ethiopia, at around 1,900–2,100 metres above sea level. Ethiopian coffee at this altitude, from heirloom varieties, is the origin of the natural wine-like coffee experience. Literally the origin, given that coffee itself comes from Ethiopia.

Natural processing means the whole coffee cherry is dried in the sun over several weeks before the fruit is stripped away. The extended contact with the fruit flesh during drying imparts intense fruity sweetness to the bean. When it works well, the results are extraordinary.

Aroma

This is the aroma that turns non-specialty-drinkers into converts. Freshly ground, the Hambela Natural smells like dried blueberries, a hint of mango, and dark chocolate. It’s almost misleading, as if something fruity was added to the coffee. Nothing was. This is what naturally processed Ethiopian Guji coffee smells like.

In the Cup: Filter

Brewed as a pour-over at 93°C, coarser than usual to account for the fruity sweetness (natural process coffees can taste syrupy at fine grinds):

• Intense blueberry and dark fruit upfront
• Mango sweetness in the mid-palate, almost tropical
• Dark chocolate on the finish, long and satisfying
• Body: full and almost syrupy
• Acidity: present but rounded by the fruit sweetness

This is not a background coffee. It demands your attention and rewards it. Let it cool slightly; the fruit notes intensify and the chocolate becomes more prominent at 60°C.

In the Cup: AeroPress

A slightly longer AeroPress brew (4 minutes, coarse grind) produces something almost dessert-like: concentrated blueberry and chocolate, thick body. One of the best AeroPress experiences I’ve had from a UK roaster.

A Note on Natural Process Expectations

Natural Ethiopians can divide opinion. If you’re used to washed coffees and expect the clean, bright clarity of a washed Kenyan or Colombian, this will seem very different: fermented-fruity rather than clean-citrus. That’s a feature, not a flaw. But it’s worth knowing going in.

Value

£10.00 for 250g (£4.00/100g) is excellent value for an Ethiopian natural of this quality from a specialty UK roaster. Extract typically undercut their London peers on price without compromising on quality.

Who It’s Best For

• Natural coffee enthusiasts and Ethiopian coffee fans
• Anyone who wants to experience what the specialty coffee fuss is about
• Filter brewers (V60, AeroPress, Chemex)
• People who enjoy wine and are curious about wine-like complexity in coffee

Not for: those who find fruity-fermented coffee off-putting, or anyone looking for a clean, bright filter coffee (try the Hasbean Colombia El Paraíso Washed instead).

Verdict

Extract Coffee’s Ethiopia Hambela is the kind of coffee that makes you stop what you’re doing and pay attention. The fruit intensity and chocolate depth are genuinely impressive, and the quality-to-price ratio is among the best from any UK roaster. Essential buying for natural coffee enthusiasts.

Rating: 4.6/5

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy Extract Coffee Roasters in the UK? Extract Coffee are primarily available direct from their website (extractcoffee.co.uk) and on Amazon UK. They also supply some independent cafés in Bristol and the South West.

Is Extract Coffee Ethiopia Hambela good for espresso? The light roast and natural processing produce an intense, fruity espresso that some people love and others find overwhelming. If you enjoy natural Ethiopian espresso (as practised by specialty cafés), it’s excellent. For everyday home espresso, the Extract Black Label Espresso is more conventional.

How does Extract Coffee compare to Square Mile or Workshop? Comparable quality, lower profile. Extract don’t have the marketing machine of London roasters but their sourcing and roasting is at the same level. If you discover them, consider it a find. See our Square Mile Red Brick and Workshop Coffee Cult of Done reviews for comparison.