Welcome back to the Cupping Table podcast! In this episode, host David Paparelli catches up with Tamiru Tadesse, founder and CEO of Alo Coffee. Known for producing some of the most sought-after nano-lots in Ethiopia out of the Sidama region, Alo Coffee shocked the industry by breaking the record for the highest price ever paid for Ethiopian coffee at an astounding $1,739 per kilogram. Tamiru breaks down the meticulous, high-control processing techniques behind these historic nano-lots, how he is preparing for the upcoming Echoes of the Peak private auction, and his bold experiments bringing Panamanian Geisha seeds back to high-altitude Ethiopian soil. Key Takeaways From This Episode:Behind the $1,739/kg Record: What it takes to produce a coffee that commands world-record pricing, and why micro-volumes (5kg–15kg lots) create unparalleled demand for specialty roasters. Light Deprived Environment (LDE) Drying: How drying coffee in a complete, light-deprived dark room for 50+ days preserves delicate aromatics, extends shelf life, and adds 1–2 points to a coffee’s cupping score. Precision Stainless-Steel Fermentation: Why Alo Coffee transitioned to temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks set at a constant 15°C with automated pH cut-offs at 4.0 to eliminate defects and maximize cup clarity. The Sidama High-Altitude Terroir: Exploring the unique characteristics of single-varietal 74158 grown between 2,400 and 2,580 meters above sea level. Panama Meets Ethiopia: Tamiru’s project planting world-champion Elida and Esmeralda Geisha seeds in Sidama, and what to expect when these lots mature.Register for the Alo Coffee Echoes of the Peak Auction on August 10th at alocoffee.mcultivo.com!