Which Country Does Harar Coffee Come From? Introduction to Harar Coffee Growing Region and Its Unique Terroir

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Origin of the Name

Among Ethiopian coffees, Harar coffee is the most famous. Harar is located in eastern Ethiopia and is an ancient historic city, as well as one of the four holy cities of Islam. The Harar region has the most suitable altitude for growing Arabica coffee, making it the highest coffee production area in Ethiopia.

After careful selection, Harar green coffee beans have a light floral aroma.

Flavor Profile

The Harar coffee growing region is located in the Harar mountains of eastern Ethiopia. Because it maintains the most traditional natural processing method, the coffee beans carry a rich and bold aroma similar to red wine, along with fruity acidity. Freshly ground coffee powder has a solid and full jasmine fragrance, chocolate flavor, and even mixed spice aromas.

The famous Harar coffee variety from the birthplace of coffee—Ethiopia—is loved not only for its red wine-like fermentation sensation but also for its chocolate-like aftertaste.

Traditional Processing Method

Ancient Ethiopia primarily had wild coffee forests and did not have dedicated coffee estates for production. Coffee trees were everywhere, and one could simply walk into the forest to collect them. Harar's processing method still maintains ancient traditional techniques—using the most primitive natural processing method. After local farmers harvest the bright red coffee cherries from the trees, they place them in the sun to remove moisture from the coffee cherries. Finally, they break the dried fruit skin to leave us with the desired green coffee beans.

It is precisely during the natural drying process that the fruit aroma from coffee cherries concentrates into the coffee beans, creating Harar's rich and varied flavors.

However, the only drawback is that because the processing method is primitive, there can be extreme variations in quality between good and bad beans.

Aroma Characteristics

Harar's aroma is by no means inferior to Yirgacheffe's. If Yirgacheffe's aroma is refreshing and invigorating, then Harar's aroma is like a slowly unfurling scroll painting—deep and composed. This aroma easily immerses people, with its mature fruit fragrance making one feel as if they are in an orchard—a wonderful enjoyment.

Previously, Harar coffee only had G4 and G5 grades. In recent years, due to increasing quality requirements from consumer countries, Adulina Company has continuously worked on reducing defect rates and improving quality. This batch of natural Harar G3 represents one of the company's rare high-quality natural beans in recent years.

Harar is Ethiopia's most proud natural coffee bean production region (Yirgacheffe represents washed mocha), and it was the country's first region famous among consumer countries. Located in eastern Ethiopia, at an altitude of 5,000-7,000 feet. Harrar's exported coffee belongs to the long-shaped longberry variety (shortberry is mostly for domestic consumption) and is famous for its full body, moderate acidity, typical high-quality natural mocha flavor, with red wine or chocolate aftertastes being quite common.

Unique Characteristics

Ethiopia is one of the original habitats of ancient mocha coffee varieties. Harrar coffee grows from wild tree varieties at altitudes above 1,500 meters. The Harrar mocha coffee beans are long and beautifully shaped. Harrar mocha coffee is most beloved for its fresh and unique flavor, soft and delicate texture, rich fruit flavors, wild wine-like aroma with slight acidity, leaving an unforgettable impression. Suitable for those who prefer strong flavors.

Brewing Recommendations

The bitterness and sweetness of Harar cannot represent all of Harar's characteristics, but they are the most impressive aspects of Harar. Of course, to pursue such flavors, besides using high-quality specialty Harar beans, proper roasting is also very important. If you happen to have such high-quality green beans but haven't experienced Harar's bitterness and sweetness, try medium to dark roasting (according to SCAA standards, this would be CITY or slightly lower roast level). I believe you can also gain a completely new appreciation for Harar.

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