Ethiopia Coffee Growing Region Lekempti/Lekampti: Cultivation and Flavor Characteristics

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Lekempti, Wellega, and Gimbi Production Areas

Located in western Ethiopia, coffee beans from these regions are available in both washed and natural processed varieties. Compared to top-tier Sidamo and Yirgacheffe coffees, these beans exhibit more pronounced sweetness, reduced citrus-like acidity, and enhanced notes of stone fruit.

Ethiopia's Coffee Heritage

Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee and remains a major producer in both quality and quantity. Approximately 15 million people nationwide are engaged in coffee production, with 90% being small-scale farmers. Cooperatives are formed by groups of farmers to facilitate sales channels.

Modern Trading Systems

After 2008, Ethiopia introduced the ECX (Ethiopian Commodity Exchange) system to replace traditional buying and export methods. Small farmers deliver coffee to centralized ECX warehouses, where beans of similar grades and origins are mixed and auctioned directly. This approach maintains quality while making it easier for consumers to distinguish coffee quality by price. To serve buyers who prefer small quantities of specialty coffee, Ethiopia also launched the DST (Direct Specialty Trade) system in 2010, allowing small farmers to sell coffee under their own names.

Lekempti: A Closer Look

Lekempti, located approximately 230 kilometers from Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, features farmers with cultivation areas not exceeding 1.5 hectares. Coffee is processed using the natural method, where harvested coffee cherries are placed directly on compacted earthen grounds. During drying, the coffee cherries absorb aromas from the earth, developing rich sweetness. These original coffee varieties represent the primary source of income for local farmers.

Coffee Specifications

Varieties: 74110 (65% of total), 7487 (35% of total)

Soil: Red-brown soil

Processing: Washed

Altitude: 1,950-2,100 meters

Flavor Profile and Recognition

Lekempti focuses on producing high-quality, distinctive coffee. Through improvements in selection processes, fermentation timing, water quality during fermentation, drying beds, and storage and transportation methods, Lekempti's coffee quality has gained worldwide recognition. The region was honored with the 2014 Specialty Coffee Champion award, making these exceptional coffees worthy of careful appreciation.

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Important Notice :

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FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473