Ethiopia Banko Natural packaging

Black Oak Coffee Roasters Ethiopia Banko Natural

About 600 smallholder farmers supply the Banko Gotiti mill, growing coffee at 6,300 to 7,600 feet.

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Strawberry, blueberry, rose, milk chocolate
Origin
Ethiopia
Process
Natural
Roast
Light
Roaster
Black Oak Coffee Roasters
Roast level
Tasted by us

Our review: 10 out of 10

We don't usually reach for light roasts, but this is the best light roast coffee we've ever tried. Black Oak's Ethiopia Banko Natural is a single origin coffee from Ethiopia with a lighter body. Its sweetness comes straight from the bean and the way it's grown, with no flavoring added.

The blueberry showed up before we even brewed it. Right after grinding, the beans gave off a scent of blueberry muffin. In the cup, it opens with a lightly sweet strawberry flavor. The aftertaste is blueberry, with soft floral notes on top.

If light roasts usually aren't your thing either, give this one a try. It's the light roast that won us over, and it earned a 10 out of 10.

Tasted by the Only the Best Coffees editor, .

About this coffee

What the roaster tells us.

About 600 smallholder farmers supply the Banko Gotiti mill, growing coffee at 6,300 to 7,600 feet. This lot is made of the 74110 and 74112 varieties and was sun-dried in the cherry on raised beds. Black Oak lists strawberry, blueberry and rose, with milk chocolate, blackberry and honeysuckle coming out as the cup cools.

Product details checked 2026-10-30. Roaster descriptions can change between lots. Tasting notes describe sensory impressions, not a guarantee of how your brew will taste.

Where it’s from
Ethiopia
RoasterBlack Oak Coffee Roasters
OriginEthiopia
ProcessNatural
RoastLight
From farm to cup

Where it grew, how it was made, how it’s roasted.

Straight from the roaster’s listing — no guesswork added.

Step 01 · OriginGrown

Ethiopia

Step 02 · ProcessProcessed

Natural

Step 03 · RoastRoasted

Light

Before you buy

Is it right for you?

You’ll like it if…

  • You enjoy bright, fruity coffees.
  • You like chocolatey, comforting cups.
  • You like delicate, floral or tea-like flavors.
  • You brew pour-over or drip and like a lighter body.

Maybe skip it if…

  • You want a dark, roasty, classic cup.

The details

Variety
74110, 74112
Altitude
6,300 to 7,600 ft
Producer or farm
Banko Gotiti mill (about 600 smallholders)
Bag size
12 oz bag
Price
$19.75
Price per ounce
$1.65 per oz

From the roaster’s listing, checked October 30, 2026. Prices change.

About coffee from Ethiopia

Ethiopia is where arabica coffee comes from, and it still grows thousands of local heirloom varieties. Most of it is grown by smallholder farmers in regions like Yirgacheffe, Sidama and Guji. Washed Ethiopians are known for floral, citrus and tea-like flavors, and naturals for ripe berry.

What the process means

In a natural (dry) process, the whole coffee cherry dries in the sun with the fruit still on the bean. That usually gives a heavier body and riper, fruitier flavors like berry and tropical fruit.

How to brew it

Starting recipes for this roast level. Adjust grind and ratio to taste; the roaster’s own guidance always wins.

MethodCoffeeWaterGrindWater tempTime
Pour-over Our pick15 g250 gMedium-fine96°C / 205°F2:30–3:30
French press30 g500 gCoarse96°C / 205°F4 minutes
Cold brew100 g800 gCoarseCold water12–18 hours in the fridge
The people behind this coffee

Meet Black Oak Coffee Roasters

Black Oak Coffee Roasters opened in December 2012 in Ukiah, California, in Mendocino County, founded by Jon Frech and Keith Feigin. It has won the Golden Bean North America championship twice, along with America's Best Espresso, and runs cafés in Ukiah and Healdsburg. Black Oak treats coffee the way a chef treats ingredients and roasts everything from dark blends like Black Bart to light single-origin lots from Ethiopia.

All Black Oak Coffee Roasters coffees
Espresso starting point

Dial it in

A 1:2 dose-to-yield ratio is a common place to start. Adjust grind and taste — the roaster’s own guidance always wins.

In18g
Out36g
Time25–30s
Compare

Similar coffees from other roasters

CoffeeRoastOriginTasting notes
Black Oak Coffee Roasters Ethiopia Banko Natural This coffeeLightEthiopiaStrawberry, blueberry, rose, milk chocolate
Larry's Coffee 42 Series: Ethiopia Dehab’s DiamondLightKaffa Forest, EthiopiaBlueberry pancakes, honeysuckle, peach, chocolate-covered cherry
Larry's Coffee Ethiopia Light RoastLightEthiopia, YirgacheffeLemon, cherry, baked apple, chocolate
Intelligentsia Ethiopia Kirite WashedLightEthiopia, GujiHoneysuckle, green apple, red currant
Questions

Black Oak Coffee Roasters Ethiopia Banko Natural FAQ

What does Black Oak Coffee Roasters Ethiopia Banko Natural taste like?

Black Oak Coffee Roasters lists tasting notes of strawberry, blueberry, rose and milk chocolate. It's a light roast.

Where does Black Oak Coffee Roasters Ethiopia Banko Natural come from?

It comes from Ethiopia. The producer is Banko Gotiti mill (about 600 smallholders). It was grown at 6,300 to 7,600 ft.

How is Black Oak Coffee Roasters Ethiopia Banko Natural processed?

The roaster lists the process as natural. In a natural (dry) process, the whole coffee cherry dries in the sun with the fruit still on the bean.

Is Black Oak Coffee Roasters Ethiopia Banko Natural good for espresso?

It can be pulled as espresso, but it's roasted light for filter brewing, so expect bright, tart shots. It shines most as pour-over or drip.

What's the best way to brew Black Oak Coffee Roasters Ethiopia Banko Natural?

A good starting point is pour-over: 15 g of coffee to 250 g of water, medium-fine grind, water at 96°C / 205°F, about 2:30–3:30. Adjust to taste.

Where can I buy Black Oak Coffee Roasters Ethiopia Banko Natural?

You can buy it from Black Oak Coffee Roasters. Prices and availability change, so check the current listing before you order.

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Ethiopia Banko Natural packaging
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Ethiopia Banko Natural

Strawberry, blueberry, rose, milk chocolate
Ethiopia · Natural · Light
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Buy it here
Black Oak Coffee Roasters Ethiopia Banko Natural light roast coffee bag
Ethiopia Banko NaturalStrawberry, blueberry, rose, milk chocolate
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