Ethiopian Natural Yirgacheffe Aricha G1 Premium Coffee Beans: Grading, Pricing, Green Beans, and Roast Level

Yirgacheffe Coffee Classification

Yirgacheffe coffee beans are classified into two main categories by processing method.

Category A: Washed Processing
Grading follows the standards set by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), classified as Gr-1 and Gr-2, where smaller Arabic numerals indicate higher grades. G1 Yirgacheffe shows distinctive character, with citrus and floral notes seamlessly integrated into the coffee liquid, an irresistible delight.

Category B: Natural Processing
Grades include Gr-1, Gr-3, Gr-4, and Gr-5. Likewise, the highest grade, G1 natural Yirgacheffe, boasts intense fruit aromas. Opening a bag of freshly roasted G1 natural Yirgacheffe can transform your perception of coffee. Only those who have tasted the highest grade natural Yirgacheffe will believe that coffee is truly a fruit.

Origin and Cultivation

Yirgacheffe coffee trees were originally cultivated by European monks, somewhat similar to Belgian monks growing grain for brewing beer, and were later managed by farmers or cooperatives. Yirgacheffe is actually made up of surrounding coffee communities or cooperatives, including Idido, Harfusa, Hama, and Beloya near Misty Valley, all primarily using washed processing, though some exceptional lots are intentionally natural-processed to enhance the captivating fruity aromas and body. These mountain villages are shrouded in mist and spring-like year-round, with gentle summer breezes that are cool without being hot, rainy without being damp, and winters free from frost damage, nurturing a unique regional character of citrus and floral notes. Coffee trees are mostly planted in farmers' backyards or intercropped with other crops, and each household produces a limited amount, a typical pastoral coffee. Nearly all award-winning Yirgacheffe beans come from these villages and communities.

Brewing Guide

Hand-poured natural Yirgacheffe Aricha: 15g of coffee grounds, medium-fine grind (Fuji Royal grinder setting 3.5), V60 dripper, water at 90-92°C. First pour 30g of water for a 27-second bloom, then pour to 105g and pause. Wait until the water level drops halfway before continuing to pour slowly until reaching 225g. Avoid the tail end. Water-to-coffee ratio 1:15, extraction time 2:00.

Processing Details

Processing Method: Natural

This batch of Yirgacheffe was processed at the Kebel Aricha processing station, where approximately 650-700 small coffee farmers deliver ripe coffee cherries for processing in exchange for cash. After the station selects usable cherries, they are placed directly on raised beds for sun-drying. During the first few days of drying the cherries are turned every 2-3 hours to prevent over-fermentation. After four to six weeks of natural drying, workers mechanically remove the outer fruit pulp depending on the weather and temperature, then transport it to Addis Ababa for storage. Naturally processed beans are typically stored in parchment form until hulling just before export to ensure green bean quality. This batch of natural Aricha was rated G1, the highest grade, by the ECX, with excellent quality from appearance and consistency to freshness, dry aroma, and flavor. If you appreciate bright acidity and rich berry flavors, you absolutely cannot miss this one.

Coffee Information

Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Aricha G1

Country: Ethiopia
Grade: G1
Region: Yirgacheffe, Gediyo
Altitude: 1,900-2,100 meters
Variety: Heirloom
Producer: Kebel Aricha
Flavor Notes: Light fermented wine aroma, sweet citrus, spices, honey sweetness

About Project Origin

Sasa Sestic, the 2015 World Barista Champion, launched the Project Origin green bean sourcing program three years ago with his business team at ONA Coffee. The project works directly with coffee farming families in impoverished countries and regions, improving their production conditions and offering purchase prices 20% above fair trade prices.

The project's original mission also includes strengthening the connection between roasters and coffee farmers and guiding farmers to cultivate high-quality beans. To date, Sasa has established relationships with coffee growers from eight countries, including Brazil, Panama, India, Ethiopia, El Salvador, and Costa Rica.

Flavor Profile

Light fermented wine aroma, jujube, sweet citrus notes, dark berries, lychee, starfruit, peach, nectarine, longan and red date aroma, honey sweetness, cocoa with subtle spice notes, full body with a persistent aftertaste.

Product Information

Manufacturer: FrontStreet Coffee
Shelf Life: 30 days
Net Weight: 227g
Packaging: Bulk
Taste Profile: Acidic coffee beans
Roast Level: Roasted coffee beans
Sugar Content: Sugar-free
Origin: Ethiopia
Coffee Variety: Yirgacheffe
Roast Degree: Light roast

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

If you love the berry-rich, naturally processed side of Yirgacheffe, FrontStreet Coffee's natural Red Cherry is a direct match. It comes from the famous Yirgacheffe region and uses a whole-cherry natural process: only fully ripe, unblemished cherries are picked, given a first round of sorting at the processing station, then spread on raised beds to dry and turned once every 2-3 hours during the first few days to prevent uneven heat and over-fermentation. After three to five weeks, the outer fruit is scraped off by machine according to the weather and temperature and the beans are moved to storage. Dried with the fruit intact, it keeps the typical Yirgacheffe character while gaining tropical fruit, citrus-like acidity, a berry-juice body, honey sweetness, and creamy smoothness.

To compare with the washed side of the region, try FrontStreet Coffee's washed Yirgacheffe everyday bean. It is known for white jasmine, bright citrus and lemon acidity, and a tea-like quality, and its friendly price has made it the first specialty bean for many drinkers. For a more focused single-origin lot, the washed Gediding Cooperative coffee comes from the Woka area at the southeastern edge of Yirgacheffe and follows the most traditional washing method, offering fresh, bright citrus and lemon acidity with jasmine fragrance and none of the traditional bitterness.

For an entry point that many drinkers reach for first, FrontStreet Coffee's washed G1 Yirgacheffe brings the citrus-floral fusion that defines the region, with the clean, bright character that makes Yirgacheffe such an easy introduction to specialty coffee.