Yirgacheffe Washed Kochere Flavor Profile & Characteristics

In Ethiopia there are eight main coffee bean producing regions: Nekempte (Lekempti), Gimbi, Limu, Illubabor, Djimma, Harrar, Teppi/Bebeka, Sidamo and Yirgacheffe. Among these, the better-known specialty coffee regions are Nekempte (Lekempti), Limu, Harrar, Sidamo and Yirgacheffe.

Grading for Yirgacheffe is not determined by bean size but by the proportion of defective beans in the total batch. Typically you will find washed Grade 2 and natural Grade 3 Yirgacheffe. Grade 1 is the highest level, where only the finest Yirgacheffe beans, with the lowest defect rates, are selected by hand.

Coffee Information

Country: Ethiopia
Grade: G1
Region: Yirgacheffe
Roast Level: Light Roast
Processing Method: Washed
Variety: Local Landrace

Brewing Instructions

For pour-over Yirgacheffe: use 15g of coffee ground to medium-fine (Fuji Rux grinder setting 3.5), a V60 dripper and water at 91-93°C. First pour 30g of water and let it bloom for 27 seconds. Continue pouring to 105g, then pause until the water level drops to halfway. Slowly continue pouring until it reaches 225g total. Avoid the tail end. Water-to-coffee ratio 1:15, total extraction time 2:00.

Kochere Region

Kochere is located 25 kilometers southeast of Yirgacheffe in Ethiopia, a small producing region that has prospered from coffee. It is one of the three famous micro-regions of Yirgacheffe. The local population is about 100,000, with coffee beans as their main source of income. The processing and equipment in this region are very advanced. The renowned coffee review website Coffee Review gave Kochere washed beans a high score of 94 points.

In Ethiopia there are eight main coffee bean producing regions: Nekempte (Lekempti), Gimbi, Limu, Illubabor, Djimma, Harrar, Teppi/Bebeka, Sidamo and Yirgacheffe. Among these, the better-known specialty coffee regions are Nekempte (Lekempti), Limu, Harrar, Sidamo and Yirgacheffe. Yirgacheffe sits in the Sidama administrative region of Ethiopia, which shows that Yirgacheffe is a smaller area within the Sidama region.

Yirgacheffe itself is a small town of about 20,000 people. The three neighboring small regions of Wenago, Kochere and Gelena Abaya produce coffee with flavors almost identical to Yirgacheffe, so they are also classified under the Yirgacheffe region. In both culture and geographical environment, Yirgacheffe is similar to nearby Sidamo, but Yirgacheffe seems especially favored with unique natural conditions. Top-quality Yirgacheffe coffee features floral notes, bright citrus acidity, lemon-toned aromas and a silky smooth mouthfeel.

Kochere is located about 25 kilometers southeast of the famous Yirgacheffe town. The production model mainly involves local small farmers sending their batches to cooperatives for unified processing. The local Chalalacktu village has about 100,000 people who depend on coffee for their livelihood, and coffee-related production has become their main economic source. Thanks to that income, local living standards are much better than in many Ethiopian villages, with complete health facilities, higher education institutions and other infrastructure. Advanced processing equipment allows Kochere's coffee to maintain high standards in washed processing, featuring clean sweetness with complex molasses and citrus notes.

Flavor Profile

Jasmine floral, lemon, bergamot, honey, black tea

Product Details

Manufacturer: Dazhen Coffee FrontStreet Coffee
Address: No. 10 Bao'an Front Street, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou
Contact: 020-38364473
Ingredients: Roasted to order, in-house roasted
Shelf Life: 30 days
Net Weight: 227g
Packaging: Bulk
Taste: Acidity
Bean State: Roasted coffee beans
Sugar Content: Sugar-free
Origin: Ethiopia
Coffee Type: Yirgacheffe coffee
Roast Level: Light roast

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

To taste the clean, washed side of Yirgacheffe that Kochere represents, FrontStreet Coffee's washed Yirgacheffe is the classic starting point. It is known for white jasmine florals, bright citrus and lemon acidity and a tea-like body, and its affordable price has made it the first specialty coffee for many drinkers. Yirgacheffe sits at roughly 1,700-2,100 meters, with the trees planted above 1,800 meters, making it one of the highest coffee regions in the world.

For a cup with more regional detail, FrontStreet Coffee's washed Yirgacheffe from the Gudingding cooperative is a step up. Gudingding lies in the Woka area on the southeastern edge of Yirgacheffe and follows the most traditional washed processing, so it keeps the clean, bright citrus and lemon acidity and jasmine fragrance without the bitterness people often expect. Roasted medium-light, it adds green tea and honey notes and works well as pour-over, cold brew or espresso.

Brew these washed Yirgacheffe beans through a V60 at 90-91°C, using 15g of coffee and a 1:15 ratio. Grind to a fine-caster-sugar texture, around 80% passing a No. 20 sieve. Start with a 30g pour and a 30-second bloom, pour to 125g, then finish to 225g for a total of roughly 2 minutes.