Heleph Coffee Exporter
About Us
Our History: From the Tears of the Sky to Global Cups
The Sacred Roots – Ethiopia's Gift
Long before Heleph Coffee became a name recognized worldwide, the story of our beans begins in the misty highlands of Ethiopia the birthplace of Arabica coffee. Legends speak of Waaqa, the supreme sky god, who wept divine tears over a loyal servant. Those tears fell not as rain, but as seeds upon the red earth of Sidama, birthing the first coffee plants: a gift from sorrow to strength, healing hearts and awakening souls. This is the eternal origin we honor in every harvest “Tears of the Sky.”
The Family Foundation (1970s–1980s)
Our real legacy began in 1976, when our grandfather, Tulu Kankura, planted his first coffee plantation in Harbegona village (now part of Bona Zuria, Sidama Region). A man deeply tied to the soil, he saw coffee not merely as a crop, but as a promise for future generations. In 1986, his son our father Ayele Tulu inherited portions of the family farms and established early washing stations. For decades, Ayele Tulu dedicated himself to meticulous processing, supplying high-quality cherries to local markets and the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX). Through droughts, market challenges, and shifting seasons, he upheld an unwavering commitment: quality endures when the heart is devoted.
Building Resilience (1990s–2010s)
Ayele Tulu’s work laid the groundwork for what would become one of Ethiopia’s most respected family operations. His washing station in Bona Zuria became a hub for precise, shade-grown cultivation and hand-sorted excellence. Over 30+ years, the family processed and supplied exceptional coffees, earning recognition for consistency and care. Tsegab Ayele , born and raised in Hawassa (Sidama’s capital), grew up immersed in this tradition. After studying engineering and gaining experience in coffee from 2011 onward, he witnessed the limitations of traditional supply chains where farmers often received minimum prices despite premium potential. This sparked a vision: direct, traceable export to reward quality and uplift communities.
(2018–Present)
The Birth of Heleph
In 2018, following Ethiopia's export regulation reforms that allowed more direct international trade, Tsegab founded Heleph Coffee Exporter. The name "Heleph" symbolizes our mission: bridging ancestral wisdom with modern innovation to transform lives from farm to cup. Building on Ayele's established washing stations, including the renowned Ayele Tulu station, Heleph expanded rapidly.
Today, we own and operate 12+ washing stations across premier regions: Sidama (with strong focus on Bona Zuria at 2,000–2,300m+ altitudes), Yirgacheffe, and Guji. We partner with over 600 smallholder outgrowers many women-led purchasing cherries at premium prices, ensuring fair livelihoods, traceability, and sustainable practices. Innovations like honey, natural, washed, and anaerobic processes highlight our engineering precision, blended with traditional knowledge.
From grandfather Tulu's first seeds to Ayele's steadfast persistence and Tsegab's visionary bridge to the world, Heleph stands as a guardian of Ethiopia's sacred bean. We are proud to be a leading traceable producer and exporter, delivering single-origin specialty coffees to global partners while uplifting thousands in our communities.
Our Enduring Legacy
Every bean carries generations of stories from Ethiopia’s rich coffee heritage and family hands working the soil to resilient harvests and the moments when that coffee reaches your cup. At Heleph Coffee, Ethiopian specialty coffee is more than a business; it is a legacy built on family, origin, craftsmanship, and a deep connection to the communities that grow it.
We honor the people, traditions, and coffee-growing landscapes behind every harvest while connecting traceable Ethiopian Arabica coffee with partners and coffee lovers around the world. Our legacy is a commitment to preserving what makes Ethiopian coffee exceptional while creating a better future for farmers, communities, and the coffee industry.
Taste the heritage. Experience the origin. Honor the gift.
Key Milestones
- 1976: Grandfather Tulu plants the first plantation in Harbegona (Bona Zuria).
- 1986: Ayele Tulu inherits farms and establishes washing stations.
- 2011+: Family enters the industry, building expertise.
- 2018: Heleph Coffee Exporter was founded by Tsegab Ayele .
- Today: 12+ washing stations, 600+ outgrowers, global partnerships, focus on transparency & innovation.
OUR TEAM SPIRIT AND CORPORATION
Building a strong culture of unity, trust, and shared purpose is essential to the success of Heleph Coffee. We believe every team member should feel heard, valued, and supported. By encouraging open communication, respecting diverse perspectives, and working toward common goals, we create a collaborative environment where our people can grow, contribute, and achieve meaningful results together.
- Enhanced communication,
- Boosted collaboration.
- improved job satisfaction, and
- proactive problem-solving.
Teamwork & Collaboration
In a successful organization, teamwork is the foundation that turns individual strengths into shared achievements. Like the gears of a well-oiled machine, every team member has a unique role, but true progress happens when everyone works together with trust, alignment, and purpose.
At Heleph Coffee, collaboration is central to how we work. By combining the skills, ideas, and experience of our team, we strengthen our operations, improve our coffee, and create lasting value for our farmers, partners, customers, and communities.
In order to foster a culture of teamwork and collaboration within our organization, we implement the following measures:
- Encourage open communication.
- Recognize and reward team successes.
- Provide opportunities for social interaction.
- Promote shared purpose and values.
Implementing these steps can create a work environment that supports, values, and motivates employees. This is essential for improving their relationship with the workplace, increasing engagement, and positively impacting overall performance.
Mission
Our mission is to source, process, and export premium Ethiopian Arabica and specialty coffee with exceptional quality, full traceability, and responsible, sustainable practices. We are committed to preserving the unique character of coffee from its origin while continuously improving our processing, innovation, and quality standards. Through trusted, long-term partnerships with farmers, communities, roasters, and global coffee buyers, we aim to create lasting value and connect Ethiopia’s exceptional coffee with markets around the world.
Vision
Our vision is to become one of the world’s most trusted Ethiopian specialty coffee exporters, recognized for exceptional Ethiopian Arabica coffee, uncompromising quality, complete traceability, and responsible sustainability. We aspire to connect Ethiopia’s finest coffee origins with roasters, buyers, and coffee enthusiasts around the world while creating lasting prosperity for farmers, communities, partners, and the wider coffee industry.
Our Commitment to Quality
From Farm to Export
At Heleph Coffee, we uphold rigorous control across the entire supply chain to deliver exceptional coffee that meets the highest international standards.
- At our washing stations, every cherry batch undergoes meticulous processing and continuous monitoring to preserve its distinctive terroir and flavor potential.
- In our state-of-the-art warehouse, beans are meticulously sorted, graded, and prepared to ensure uniformity, purity, and optimal condition.
Prior to export, each lot is rigorously cupped and evaluated by expert Q-graders against our strict internal benchmarks.
Get To Know Us
At Heleph Coffee, our dedicated team drives our mission to connect Ethiopian farmers with global markets through sustainable, fair-trade practices. Based in Addis Ababa, we blend expertise in coffee export with a passion for community empowerment. Here’s our core team:
“In a family rooted in Ethiopian traditions, I’ve seen the transformative power of coffee. At Heleph Coffee, we empower farmers to build resilient futures, bridging local potential with international opportunities.”
Tsegab Ayele
owner and manager of Heleph Coffee
tsegab@helephcoffee.com
Meet the Team at Heleph Coffee
Zerihun Fekede (Left)
Export Operations Manager
zerihun@helephcoffee.com
“Great exports are built on teamwork, precision, and a commitment to delivering quality from farm to customer.”
Tsion Getachew (Right)
Senior Documentation Officer
trade@helephcoffee.com
“With years in coffee logistics, I ensure seamless exports from farm to cup. Our operations prioritize efficiency and farmer support, making every shipment a step toward sustainable growth.”
Bethelhem Workineh (Left)
Senior Documentation Officer
trade@helephcoffee.com
“Supporting trade operations, I focus on accuracy and timeliness. Our team’s collaboration turns challenges into opportunities for Ethiopian coffee to shine internationally.”
Tsion Getachew (Right)
Senior Documentation Officer
trade@helephcoffee.com
“Handling compliance and documentation, I make sure our exports meet global standards. It’s rewarding to see how precise paperwork enables farmers’ success on the world stage.”
Mikcheal Simon
Logistics Manager
logistic@helephcoffee.com
“Coordinating shipments and bookings, I optimize our supply chain for reliability. From Addis Ababa to global ports, we deliver quality coffee while minimizing environmental impact.”
Additional Team Members:
Quality Assurance Specialist’s
quality@helephcoffee.com
“Ensuring every bean meets premium standards through rigorous testing. Our role bridges farmer’s hard work with buyer’s expectations.”
Finance Team
Bire Abebe Tigist Hailu Sebele Tesnim
Araresa Negari (Left)
Human Resource and Business Relations Coordinator
“We are a growing team united by a passion for Ethiopia’s rich coffee heritage and a commitment to sharing its story with the world.”
Mekdes (Right)
Human Resource and Business Relations Coordinator
“Working directly with cooperatives, I provide training and support to enhance farming techniques and livelihoods.”
Our Farm
The Home For Our Farm.
Nature and Sustainable.
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