Ethiopia Washed Mulish

Back in 2014, when Faysel Adoush, the founder of Testi Coffee, first came through this stretch of Guji, there wasn’t much infrastructure to speak of. A few scattered farmers. A landscape that clearly wanted to produce exceptional coffee, but hadn’t yet been given the system to support it.

At the time, most of this coffee was still folded into the broader Sidamo classification. Useful label. Not a true identity. That changed in 2002 when Guji was officially recognized as its own origin. But recognition on paper doesn’t build washing stations. People do. So Faysel did what most people don’t do: he bet on himself and on a place that wasn’t “ready yet.”

He had a vision. A vision that many could not see, especially on land that slopes down toward the Mormora River, about 40 km from Shakiso, the ground on what would become the Mulish washing station. Four hectares of land. Set in a landscape of deep soil, old forest canopy, and river-fed fertility that already knew what it wanted to become.  Only a true visionary could foresee this opportunity.

At first, Mulish was quiet. Almost too quiet. However, Faysel never flinched; he stood by his vision. Then one day, the producers started coming. And once they came, they kept coming. Over time, what started as a small cherry collection point became a regional anchor. Now, more than a thousand producers bring their cherries through these stations every harvest cycle. Before this, farmers faced arduous journeys to process cherries due to a lack of local infrastructure.

Today, Mulish is thriving, serving as an essential hub that provides crucial processing facilities and community investments, such as schools and improved market access. Going beyond the typical washing station. This is the result of what is possible when access, ecology, and a long-term vision are in place. It is no longer just a coffee facility; it is defining Guji's full potential.

The future of Mulish is bright as it focuses on refinement. Despite the challenges of inconsistent rainfall and tightening yields, investment continues. Faysel and the local producers are currently upgrading to a modern Colombian-built washing system. This advancement will improve processing precision and reduce water usage while preserving the coffee's distinct identity. Making what is already phenomenal into something even better.