Aleta Wondo is one of the biggest cities in Sidama known for Coffee. It is located in Central Sidama and is highly dependent on the coffee economy.

Most of the varieties found in Aleta are indigenous heirlooms. However in recent times more resistant crops such as JARC 74110 are being planted. Coffee in Aleta Wondo area has been around for many decades although picking quality is reducing a little overtime. Overall Aleta Wondo is home to at least 10,000 coffee farmers and is a known place for high acidity and high sweetness washed coffee. Natural coffee production in this region is rare.

Aleta Wondo Station receives cherries from Aleta Wondo region. It possesses about 140 African Drying Beds and the majority is used exclusively for Washed Coffee.

The washed coffee process is integral to the production of high-quality coffee in Aleta Wondo. Cherries are selectively hand-picked when ripe. This ensures that only the best quality cherries are used. The harvested cherries are pulped to remove the outer skin. This is typically done using a mechanical pulper. The pulped beans are placed in fermentation tanks, where they are submerged in water for 12 to 48 hours. This fermentation breaks down the mucilage surrounding the beans. After fermentation, the beans are thoroughly washed with clean water to remove any remaining mucilage, resulting in a clean, bright flavour.

The washed beans are spread out on raised beds or patios, where they are dried in the sun for several days. Proper drying is crucial to prevent mold and preserve the beans’ quality.