THE STORY BEHIND THE CONNECTION:
We first met Hester through a friend back in 2024. The way she spoke about the complex realities of coffee in Ethiopia, the mission behind Bette Buna as a social project, and her clear stance on key industry topics really resonated with us. Right then, I knew that whenever I opened my own roastery, I wanted her coffees on our menu.
Over the next couple of years, I was fortunate to catch up with Hester at cuppings and industry events. In November 2025, I traveled to Ethiopia alongside a small group of European roasters to spend a week with her and the team. Experiencing their operations in person gave us a much clearer picture of the unique challenges specific to Ethiopian coffee—and gave us the chance to meet the wonderful team behind these lots.
WHO THEY ARE:
Bette Buna was founded by Hester and Dawit Syoum, inspired by the wish of Dawit’s late grandmother. She envisioned turning their home in Tefari Kela into a welcoming space where the local community could gather, learn, grow, and build a better future together.
Located in one of the poorest regions in Ethiopia, Bette Buna stands today as the only formal employer in the area alongside the local church and hospital.
WHAT MAKES THEIR WORK SPECIAL:
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Local Economic Anchor: By operating directly in Tefari Kela, they provide much-needed employment and job stability in a region with few formal work opportunities.
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Community-First Programs: Bette Buna goes far beyond coffee farming—they active train local farmers, educate the community, create opportunities for youth, and host kids' programs.
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Direct Impact: Purchasing their coffee directly supports the hands-on work Hester, Dawit, and their team do every day to improve everyday life for families across their region.