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Elken Trading LLC  ·  Ethiopian Coffee  ·  Maryland, USA

Yirgacheffe
Your Way

Specialty & Commercial Grade — Yirgacheffe — From Ethiopia to Your Door.

◆ Specialty Grade 1 · SCA 85+ ◆ Commercial Grade Available · Volume & Value
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85+SCA Specialty Range
Grade 1Available Now
WashedProcess
50 StatesUS Nationwide
Who We Are

Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, For Every Buyer Who Knows the Difference

Elken Trading LLC is based in Maryland and dedicated to one thing: making sure roasters, cafes, importers, distributors, and foodservice buyers across the United States can get the Yirgacheffe coffee they need, when they need it.

We work with both the specialty and commercial sides of the market. Specialty Grade 1 for roasters and cafes who demand a verified cup score and full traceability. Commercial Grade 2–4 for buyers who need Yirgacheffe character at scale. Washed process — because that is the soul of Yirgacheffe.

You tell us what you need — grade, volume, and timeline — and we make it happen. The right Yirgacheffe, delivered to your door anywhere in the United States.

“

Yirgacheffe is the cup that makes roasters stop mid-sip and ask where it came from. Florals, brightness, that unmistakable clean finish — it’s the origin every serious menu deserves. Our job is simply to get it to you, in the grade and volume that works for your business.

Keni Legesse  ·  Founder, Elken Trading LLC
How It Works

Getting Your Yirgacheffe Is Simple

01
Tell Us What You Need

Grade (specialty or commercial), volume, preferred SCA score range if applicable, timeline, and where you need it delivered. The more we know, the better we can serve you.

02
We Find It

We tap into supply relationships built on quality, consistency, and trust. We find the Yirgacheffe lot that genuinely fits what you are looking for — specialty or commercial — and bring it back to you with the details you need to say yes.

03
We Share the Details

We come back quickly — usually the same day — with lot details, available volumes, pricing, and full documentation for specialty lots. Everything you need to make a confident decision, without waiting around.

04
We Get It to You

From a single sample bag to a full container, we handle getting it from Ethiopia to your door anywhere in the United States. You focus on what you do best.

What We Offer

One Extraordinary Origin.

Yirgacheffe. Everything we offer comes from this single, extraordinary origin — in whatever grade works for your business.

Specialty Grade

Grade 1 Yirgacheffe
Washed · Q-Graded · Documented

The pinnacle of Ethiopian coffee. Each lot is verified, Q-graded by licensed SCA cuppers, and arrives with full documentation. The right choice for specialty roasters, third-wave cafes, and anyone who wants to know exactly what they are pouring.

SCA Score85–90+ (Lot Dependent)
Ethiopian GradeGrade 1
ProcessWashed · Wet-Processed
PackagingGrainPro, 60kg Bags
DocumentationFull Cupping Report & Q-Grade
Commercial Grade

Grade 2–4 Yirgacheffe
Washed · Volume · Value

High-quality washed Yirgacheffe at commercial scale. Same regional origin, same washed process — at pricing and volumes that work for blenders, distributors, and foodservice buyers who need Yirgacheffe character where margin matters.

Ethiopian GradeGrade 2, 3, or 4
ProcessWashed · Same Origin
PackagingJute or GrainPro, 60kg
Best ForBlenders & Distributors
VolumeFlexible · Inquiry-Based
Ready to Source?

Whatever you need — we will make it happen.

Specialty or Commercial, sample bag to full container — tell us what you need and we will move fast. Yirgacheffe that meets your standard, delivered anywhere in the United States.

Origin & Product Knowledge

The Coffee

Yirgacheffe Washed · Specialty Grade 1 & Commercial Grade 2–4

01
The Origin

Where All Coffee Began

Yirgacheffe sits in the Gedeo Zone of southern Ethiopia, within the Sidama Region — widely regarded as the original homeland of Coffea arabica. Wild landrace genetics, volcanic soils, and elevation ranging from 1,800 to 2,200 meters create a cup character that is unmistakably Ethiopian: floral, citrus-forward, and clean.

This profile cannot be replicated elsewhere. The combination of heirloom varietals, equatorial climate, and high altitude is unique to this geography. Both our Specialty and Commercial grades come from this same extraordinary origin.

Origin Details
Yirgacheffe, Gedeo Zone, Sidama
1,800 to 2,200 meters above sea level
Ethiopian heirloom landrace varietals
Washed (wet-processed)
Both Specialty & Commercial grades available
02
Specialty Grade

Grade 1 — The Premium Tier

Ethiopian Grade 1 is the highest classification assigned by the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority — reserved for the most defect-free, precisely sorted, and meticulously processed lots. Our Grade 1 Yirgacheffe washed achieves SCA scores typically in the 85–90+ range, depending on the lot and harvest season.

Every specialty shipment includes full documentation: cupping report from licensed Q Graders, moisture data, phytosanitary certificate, and origin traceability. This is the tier for roasters who market single-origin transparency, who sell cups on provenance, and who cannot afford a below-standard lot arriving at their facility.

Specialty Grade Specs
Ethiopian Grade 1 — Highest Classification
SCA Score: 85–90+ (lot dependent)
Q-Graded by licensed SCA cuppers
GrainPro moisture-barrier bags, 60kg
Full cupping report with every shipment
03
Commercial Grade

Grade 2–4 — Volume at Value

Commercial Grade Yirgacheffe is not a compromise — it is a different market. Ethiopian Grades 2, 3, and 4 are still washed-process coffee from the same Gedeo Zone geography. The regional character is present. The price reflects a position that works at scale.

Commercial grade is the right choice for roasters blending at volume, distributors supplying foodservice accounts, and importers who need consistent Yirgacheffe character at a price point that supports their margin. We source, verify, and deliver to your specification — and we can source across both grades in a single order if your business requires it.

Commercial Grade Specs
Ethiopian Grade 2, 3, or 4
Washed process — same Yirgacheffe origin
Recognizable regional cup character
Suitable for blending & foodservice
Jute or GrainPro bags, 60kg
Volume-flexible, inquiry-based pricing
Sensory Profile

Washed Yirgacheffe — What to Expect

The washed process allows Yirgacheffe to express itself with extraordinary clarity. Both grades share this regional identity — intensity and precision vary by lot.

Washed Process — Classic Yirgacheffe Expression
Regional Character Across Both Grades
Jasmine & orange blossom florals
Bergamot & Earl Grey tea notes
Lemon zest & bright citrus acidity
Stone fruit & clean sweetness
Silky, clean, tea-like body
Long, bright, articulate finish
Specialty Grade 1 lots express these notes with maximum clarity and intensity. Commercial Grade lots carry the same regional DNA at a price point that works at scale. The washed process defines both: controlled fermentation, clean cherry separation, and raised-bed drying that preserves the district’s signature florality. Specialty lots typically score in the 85–90+ SCA range; commercial lots vary by processing precision and selection.

Technical Specifications — Both Grades

OriginYirgacheffe, Ethiopia
RegionGedeo Zone, Sidama
Altitude1,800 to 2,200 meters above sea level
VarietalsEthiopian Heirloom Landrace
ProcessWashed (Wet-Processed)
Specialty GradeGrade 1 · SCA 85–90+ · Q-Graded · GrainPro 60kg
Commercial GradeGrade 2, 3, or 4 · Jute or GrainPro · 60kg Bags
Supply ModelSourced to Buyer Specification — Direct from Ethiopia
Minimum OrderBy Inquiry — Sample Bags to Full Containers
DeliveryAnywhere in the United States, All 50 States
Fresh Crops2026 New Season Available — Inquire for Timing

Sourcing Inquiry & Samples

Check Availability

Specialty Grade 1 · Commercial Grade 2–4 · Free Samples · 2026 New Crop

Request Availability

Select a Grade to Begin

Both grades come from the same washed Yirgacheffe origin. Select the grade that fits your needs, send us your inquiry, and we will get back to you fast — usually the same day — with what’s available and current pricing.

Specialty Grade · Available Now

Grade 1 Yirgacheffe
Washed · Specialty

Q-graded, lot-verified, and fully documented. For roasters and buyers who sell on provenance and cup score. Full cupping report and traceability with every shipment.

Grade 1SCA 85–90+Q-GradedGrainPro 60kgWashed
Commercial Grade · Available Now

Grade 2–4 Yirgacheffe
Washed · Commercial

Same washed Yirgacheffe origin at commercial scale. For blenders, distributors, and foodservice buyers who need volume with regional character at the right price point.

Grade 2–4Volume FlexibleJute / GrainPro60kg BagsWashed
Request Availability

We reply fast — typically within a few hours. You will get current availability, pricing, and whatever documentation you need to make a decision. No commitment required, no delays.

✓  You will receive an automatic confirmation email the moment you submit.

You will receive an email confirmation immediately after submitting. Keni will follow up personally — usually the same day.

Done — your inquiry is in. We’ve sent you a confirmation to the email address you provided. Keni will follow up personally with lot details and pricing — usually the same day.

Not Ready to Commit?

Request a Complimentary
Washed Yirgacheffe Sample

We send complimentary green coffee samples to buyers anywhere in the United States. Cup it before you commit to volume — Specialty Grade 1 and Commercial Grade both available. Fresh 2026 crop samples will be ready as the new season opens.

Complimentary — No Charge
No Volume Commitment Required
Specialty & Commercial Both Available
Ships to All 50 States
2026 Fresh Crop Samples Coming

✓  You will receive an automatic confirmation the moment you submit.

Done — your sample request is in. Check your email for a confirmation, and expect to hear from Keni directly — usually within the day.

The Person Behind the Coffee

About Elken Trading

Maryland, USA · Yirgacheffe Specialty

Keni Legesse, Founder Elken Trading LLC
Keni Legesse
Founder  ·  Elken Trading LLC
Our Founder

Keni Legesse

Elken Trading LLC was founded by Keni Legesse with a simple belief: buyers in the United States should be able to get great Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee — whether they need a specialty lot with a cupping report or commercial volume that works for their business.

Keni is originally from Ethiopia and grew up with a deep understanding of what makes Ethiopian coffee truly special. Seeing how difficult it was for roasters and buyers in the United States to access genuine, high-quality Yirgacheffe — the kind that actually lives up to the name — he founded Elken Trading to change that. The business is built on one straightforward idea: if you need Yirgacheffe, we will get it to you.

The knowledge of what makes Yirgacheffe worth seeking out — the altitude, the origin, the quality markers that matter — is what makes Elken Trading a source you can trust. When we present a lot, it has been evaluated honestly.

Elken Trading is building long-term relationships with buyers across all 50 states — roasters who want a consistent, trustworthy source for Ethiopian Yirgacheffe they can rely on season after season.

Our Mission

“To make sure every buyer who reaches out for Ethiopian Yirgacheffe gets what they actually need — the right cup, the right grade, with nothing lost in the process.”

What We Stand For

Our Values

01
Cup Before Commerce

The coffee has to be right before anything else happens. We don’t inflate cup scores, and we don’t forward a lot we wouldn’t be proud to pour. If it isn’t there yet, it doesn’t move under our name.

02
Grade Is a Spectrum, Not a Hierarchy

Specialty roasters, commercial blenders, and volume distributors all need great coffee. A Grade 1 lot with a 90-point score and a commercial lot that performs beautifully in a blend are both the right answer for the right buyer. We treat every grade with the same seriousness.

03
Documentation Over Claims

Cupping reports, Q-grade scores, moisture data, phytosanitary certificates — every specialty lot arrives with paper. We don’t ask buyers to trust our word on quality. We give them documentation.

04
Origin Knowledge

We know Yirgacheffe in depth — the altitude ranges, the washing station differences, the seasonal variation, and what it takes to separate a memorable lot from a forgettable one. That knowledge protects the buyer every time.

05
You Tell Us What You Need

We don’t push whatever we happen to have on hand. You tell us the grade, volume, score range, and timeline. We find what genuinely fits your needs — the coffee follows the buyer, not the other way around.

06
Long-Term Relationships

One transaction is a start. The goal is to be your Yirgacheffe source season after season — alerting you to new crop availability, sending samples before you commit, and growing with your business over time.

We’re Here to Help

Contact Us

Inquiries · Samples · 2026 Crop Notification · General Questions

Reach Out Directly

Talk to Us Directly

Whether you’re a specialty roaster, a commercial distributor, an importer exploring Ethiopian origins, or a cafe looking for something genuinely memorable to serve — reach out. Keni responds personally, fast. Most replies land the same day.

✉
© 2026 Elken Trading LLC · All Rights Reserved
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