How is Ethiopian Coffee Brand Lekempti? Is It Good to Drink?

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Ethiopia's Kaffa Region and Its Coffee Origins

Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, is home to the Kaffa region, which consists of six major areas: Harrar, Limu, Sidamo, Yirgacheffe, Lekempti, and Kaffa. The Nekempti or Lekempti we're discussing today refers to the same region. In recent years, most Yirgacheffe coffees have been characterized by delicate smoothness, with somewhat less pronounced aromatic profiles. However, this coffee bean from the traditional Lekempti production area struck me as particularly exceptional!

Cupping Notes

Aroma & Flavor: Rice stalks, vanilla, wheat, fermented blueberry, muskmelon, sugarcane, maple syrup

Acidity: Citrus, red wine acidity, refined acid structure

Complexity & Other Characteristics: High flavor complexity, pronounced aromatics, discernible earthy notes, rich and substantial caramel sweetness

Tasting Experience

Initially, we expected this Lekempti might not deliver exceptional flavors due to its darker roast profile. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. Even in the dry aroma, there's a distinctive citrus essential oil quality alongside lemon and subtle mushroom notes—truly characteristic of fine Lekempti coffee. Upon tasting, the refined acidity immediately reveals diverse fruit layers, with fruit-like sweetness that blossoms in the mouth and transforms into citrus and ripe fruit notes in the aftertaste. Truly delicious! This experience has once again confirmed some different roasting concepts compared to my previous understanding!

Ethiopia's Coffee Heritage

Ethiopia is the earliest known country where coffee was discovered, making it one of the most important producers in terms of both quality and quantity. With an annual production of approximately 350,000 tons, about 15 million people nationwide are engaged in this industry. Over 90% of these are small-scale coffee farmers, with cooperative unions formed by groups ranging from several to dozens of farmers working together to facilitate sales.

Lekempti's Unique Processing

Lekempti, located approximately 230 kilometers from Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, features farmers who cultivate areas not exceeding 1.5 hectares. The coffee is processed using the natural (dry) method, where coffee cherries are placed directly on compacted earth after harvesting. During drying, the coffee cherries absorb the essence of the soil, developing rich sweetness. These traditional coffee varieties represent the primary source of income for local farmers.

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Important Notice :

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FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473