Quick Guide

What is this coffee?

Morkata is the name of the month here in the shop, we’re loving these 2 new lots we’ve acquired from him and are excited to get to be promoting them. We cupped multiple coffees for this Q4 2025 set of launches for the website and loved how this one cupped. we were getting hints of straight up vanilla in the cup with a lot of movement in the profile as the coffee cooled. Nice sweetness and floral notes, but it didn’t completely lose the smooth nature of a washed coffee in having a mediumish mouthfeel. Overall, this coffee really hits that “washed Ethiopian” nail on the head. 

-Jonathan

Processing Method

Washed Process- Washed processing is coffee's most common and reliable method. Through depulping, controlled fermentation, and thorough rinsing, this water-intensive process minimizes variables to produce clean, bright cups that showcase origin characteristics and variety.

Country

Ethiopia- Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee and fifth largest producer globally, grows over 1,000 varieties naturally at high elevations. Three key regions, Yirgacheffe, Sidamo, and Harrar, produce distinct profiles from sweet and fruity to wild and jammy, making Ethiopian beans world-renowned.

Altitude

2100-2300masl - Altitude is typically correlative to the potential complexity of a coffee bean. The higher in altitude the coffee is grown, the denser the bean will be, resulting in a more dynamic cupping experience.

Classification

Gold Label- Gold label coffees represent the most of what Sagebrush's mission is: direct relationships, readily available, reasonable mid-tier pricing, and an excellent cup profile. This is our company standard, the coffees we're drinking on a daily basis here at the shop.

Variety(s)

Heirloom

All about the coffee

Meet Morkata Gata

Our relationship with Newland coffee (Brendan) began when we were cupping with our friends at Necessity coffee in Encitas. Brendan happened to be there at the time and hopped into the cupping with us. He mentioned that he was an importer looking to get the ball rolling on this new venture of his and we exchanged info, kind of your typical networking chit chat. A month goes by I’m in the shop and Brendan swung by, said hi, and dropped off a sample of an auction lot of Guatemalan and some Ethiopian coffees.

We cupped them like we usually do samples and were very impressed with the complexity of these Ethiopian coffees from Morkata. Immediately we knew this was looking to be a great partnership and bought a pallet of Morkata’s washed and natural offering. We plan to meet Morkata and get to know him further this coming spring of 2026, and we hope to make it to his operation in Ethiopia and learn even further about him and his methodology in coffee production Q4 of 2026.

Learn More About Morkata Gata

Heirloom

Grandmother's pearls. A priceless brooch.

When you think of the word "heirloom," chances are you think of some valuable family possession passed down through the generations.

But in the specialty coffee world, the term "heirloom" means something a little different. It refers to older, traditional varieties of coffee that have been passed down through farmer selection rather than formal scientific breeding.

But before we get into heirloom varieties, let's do a quick primer on varieties in general.

Heirloom Coffee: Ethiopian Landrace Varieties & Flavors

Washed Process

Every morning, millions of us reach for coffee without thinking about the journey from cherry to cup. But here's what most people don't know: the way those cherries are processed determines whether your coffee tastes like chocolate, berries, or wine.

Coffee processing isn't just technical necessity, it's where science meets art, where tradition meets innovation, and where a producer's skill can transform an ordinary harvest into something extraordinary. The same coffee, processed three different ways, becomes three completely different experiences in your cup.

Washed Process

Ethiopia

Blackberry. Jasmine. Citrus. Honey. Few coffees in the world can pack a flavor spectrum as vibrant as Ethiopian beans—and there’s a reason they consistently earn top reviews. If you’ve ever wondered why Ethiopian coffee tastes unlike anything else, the answer begins deep in the country’s ancient forests, where wild coffee still grows today. Because, as you may or may not know, Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee. 

Coffee Terroir Guide: The Birthplace of Coffee - Ethiopia