Ethiopia Ayla Bombe Single Origin Espresso packaging

Intelligentsia Ethiopia Ayla Bombe Single Origin Espresso

This single origin espresso comes from the Ayla washing station in Bombe, a high-elevation community in Ethiopia's Sidama region.

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Lime zest, black cherry, stone fruit
Origin
Ethiopia, Sidama, Bombe
Process
Washed
Roast
Medium
Roaster
Intelligentsia
Roast level
About this coffee

What the roaster tells us.

This single origin espresso comes from the Ayla washing station in Bombe, a high-elevation community in Ethiopia’s Sidama region. Testi Coffee, a family-owned company, built Ayla in 2010, and it buys cherries from neighboring smallholders whose plots reach about 2,150 meters. The coffee is washed with water from the Bonora River and dried on raised beds, and it’s certified organic. Intelligentsia lists lime zest, black cherry and stone fruit, with a starting recipe of 18 grams in, 47 to 50 grams out in 30 to 34 seconds.

Product details checked 2026-11-04. 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, Sidama, Bombe
RoasterIntelligentsia
OriginEthiopia, Sidama, Bombe
ProcessWashed
RoastMedium
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, Sidama, Bombe

Step 02 · ProcessProcessed

Washed

Step 03 · RoastRoasted

Medium

Before you buy

Is it right for you?

You’ll like it if…

  • You enjoy bright, fruity coffees.
  • You want a balanced, medium-roast cup that works with or without milk.
  • You make espresso or milk drinks at home.

The details

Variety
Ethiopian heirloom
Altitude
About 2,000 m
Producer or farm
Ayla washing station (Testi Coffee) and Bombe smallholders
Certifications
Organic
Bag size
12 oz bag
Price
$24.00
Price per ounce
$2.00 per oz

From the roaster’s listing, checked November 4, 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 washed process, the fruit is removed from the bean before it dries. Washed coffees tend to taste clean and bright, and show off the character of the origin.

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-fine93°C / 200°F2:30–3:30
French press30 g500 gCoarse93°C / 200°F4 minutes
Cold brew100 g800 gCoarseCold water12–18 hours in the fridge
The people behind this coffee

Meet Intelligentsia

Intelligentsia started roasting in Chicago in 1995 and still roasts every bag there. Its buyers travel through the year to visit growers, and its Direct Trade program now includes more than 50 partners in 14 countries, many of them working with the roaster for over a decade. Each year the team cups, grades and releases more than 50 single origins and blends, from the Black Cat espressos it has made since the start to small, seasonal lots from Ethiopia, Kenya and Colombia. For filter coffee, Intelligentsia suggests a 1:18 coffee to water ratio as a starting point.

All Intelligentsia 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
Intelligentsia Ethiopia Ayla Bombe Single Origin Espresso This coffeeMediumEthiopia, Sidama, BombeLime zest, black cherry, stone fruit
Coffee Bros. Espresso Roast CoffeeMediumEthiopia, ColombiaStrawberry, sugar cane, vanilla
Stumptown Ethiopia MordecofeMediumEthiopia, GujiNectarine, melon, jasmine
Black & White Coffee Roasters The New School – StrawberryMediumWest Arsi, Ethiopia; Quindío, ColombiaStrawberry jam, canned pineapple, milk chocolate
Questions

Intelligentsia Ethiopia Ayla Bombe Single Origin Espresso FAQ

What does Intelligentsia Ethiopia Ayla Bombe Single Origin Espresso taste like?

Intelligentsia lists tasting notes of lime zest, black cherry and stone fruit. It's a medium roast.

Where does Intelligentsia Ethiopia Ayla Bombe Single Origin Espresso come from?

It comes from Ethiopia, Sidama, Bombe. The producer is Ayla washing station (Testi Coffee) and Bombe smallholders. It was grown at About 2,000 m.

How is Intelligentsia Ethiopia Ayla Bombe Single Origin Espresso processed?

The roaster lists the process as washed. In a washed process, the fruit is removed from the bean before it dries.

Is Intelligentsia Ethiopia Ayla Bombe Single Origin Espresso good for espresso?

Yes. The roaster recommends it for espresso. A 1:2 ratio, such as 18 grams in and 36 grams out in 25 to 30 seconds, is a good place to start.

What's the best way to brew Intelligentsia Ethiopia Ayla Bombe Single Origin Espresso?

A good starting point is pour-over: 15 g of coffee to 250 g of water, medium-fine grind, water at 93°C / 200°F, about 2:30–3:30. Adjust to taste.

Where can I buy Intelligentsia Ethiopia Ayla Bombe Single Origin Espresso?

You can buy it from Intelligentsia. Prices and availability change, so check the current listing before you order.

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