Ethiopia Coffee Beans Native Coffee Bean Growing Regions Types Introduction Flavor Description

FrontStreet Coffee · Ethiopian Coffee Growing Regions Introduction

Ethiopia has nine major coffee growing regions: Sidamo, Yirgacheffe, Harrar, Jimma, Limu, Illubabor, Keffa, Lekempti, and Bebeka. Among Ethiopia's nine coffee growing regions, the most renowned are undoubtedly Yirgacheffe, Sidamo, and Harrar. Within these larger regions are smaller sub-regions, such as Kochere and Aricha in the Yirgacheffe region, and even smaller village-level growing areas. Coffee plantation farming is not prominent in Ethiopia, so coffee is typically classified by major regions, sub-regions, village areas, and washing stations.

Ethiopia · Yirgacheffe: Elevation 1800-2000 meters | Garden Coffee System

Yirgacheffe is subordinate to the Sidamo region. Due to its unique flavor profile, rich and complex fruit notes made it famous internationally almost overnight, causing Ethiopian coffee farmers to compete for the honor of having their coffee exhibit Yirgacheffe characteristics. Therefore, it was classified separately. This area has been wetland since ancient times; the ancient term "Yirga" means "to settle down," and "Cheffe" means "wetland." Besides the town of Yirgacheffe, it also includes three surrounding sub-regions: Wenago, Kochere, and Gelena/Abaya. Therefore, in the new Yirgacheffe grading system, Yirgacheffe A, Wenago A, Kochere A, and Gelena/Abaya A are more expensive than their B-grade counterparts.

Product Name: FrontStreet Coffee Ethiopia Natural Yirgacheffe G1 Boyefi Berry Garden

Country: Ethiopia

Region: Kochere, Boyefi Village

Processing Method: Natural

Variety: Local Landraces (Heirloom)

Elevation: 1,900-2,000 meters

Roast Level: Medium-Light

Flavor Description: Dried peach, sweet citrus notes and orange fruits, cocoa, rich acidity, full aroma, smooth and delicate

Brewed with 89°C water, it has rich berry and fruit wine aromas. Upon sipping, it begins with intense strawberry and blueberry accompanied by tropical fruit notes like passion fruit and mango. The middle notes reveal apricot, peach, and grape juice flavors. Floral, peach, and berry aromas permeate the entire palate, creating a solid, full, and juicy flavor profile.

Ethiopia · Sidamo: Elevation 1400-2200 meters | Garden Coffee System

Sidamo is located in the southernmost Ethiopian highlands between 4,600-7,200 feet elevation, directly south of the capital. It typically exhibits pronounced sweetness and is preferred by many coffee enthusiasts.

The flavor profile is similar to FrontStreet Coffee's Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. Finely washed or natural processed Sidamo similarly offers floral and citrus aromas, with quality comparable to FrontStreet Coffee's Yirgacheffe. The varieties in these two regions are similar, with medium-sized beans but also dwarf varieties that farmers often sell separately. Common varieties here include Kurmie (poor disease resistance), Wolisho (tall and robust), and Deiga (medium-sized trees).

Product Name: FrontStreet Coffee Ethiopia Sidamo 90+ Zemengo

Country: Ethiopia

Region: 90+ SNNP, Sidama

Elevation: 1750-2000 meters

Processing Method: Natural Process

Variety: Ethiopian Heirloom

Roast Level: Light Roast

Flavor: Floral aroma, nectarine, tropical fruits, blackberry, blueberry, plum, cream, cinnamon

Acidity: Medium-High

Ethiopia · Harrar: Elevation 1500-2100 meters | Garden Coffee System

Located in the eastern highlands of Ethiopia, Harrar is also an ancient trading center and an important Islamic holy site (reaching its cultural peak in the 15th and 16th centuries), connecting East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Its geographical location and importance as an economic and cultural center gave it a prominent position in early coffee transportation and trade, infusing coffee with historical gravitas.

Harrar's coffee trees grow at elevations around 1500-2100 meters. Until a century ago, they still grew wild on the mountainsides. When roasted, they exhibit strong chocolate aromas, with wild flavors featuring moderate acidity and rich texture—very typical mocha characteristics. Fine Harrar region beans carry jasmine fragrance and fermented wine-like aftertastes. Today's Harrar still uses traditional natural processing methods. However, we rarely have the opportunity to taste Harrar coffee, as it's typically purchased by wealthy Arabs from Gulf countries.

Ethiopia · Jimma: Elevation 1340-1830 meters | Forest-Semi-Forest Coffee System

Jimma coffee grows in Ethiopia's Illubabor and Kaffa regions between 1340 and 1830 meters elevation, producing and exporting about 60,000 tons of coffee annually. Jimma is also known as Jimma Coffee.

Jimma coffee typically grows between 1340 and 1830 meters elevation, an altitude that provides ideal climate conditions for coffee cultivation. Plants are protected by forest trees from direct midday sunlight, which also helps maintain soil moisture content. Jimma town is actually quite small, but Jimma coffee accounts for the majority of Ethiopia's coffee exports, nearly 50%.

Product Name: FrontStreet Coffee Ethiopia Jimma Coffee

Country: Ethiopia

Region: Jimma

Elevation: 1800m

Processing Method: Natural

Variety: Local Landraces

The dry aroma features jasmine fragrance mixed with roasted peanut notes. The wet aroma has rich fermented wine aromas. The entry reveals lime, lemon, citrus, and starfruit acidity, with berry sweetness developing in the middle notes, and a finish with grapefruit peel and black tea characteristics.

Ethiopia · Limu: Elevation 1850-1900 meters | Forest/Semi-Forest Coffee System

In Limu, local small-scale coffee farmers grow coffee using 100% organic methods. The soil is Vertisol type, with cultivation elevations between 1850-1900 meters.

Limu has lower production, primarily exported to European and American markets. It was difficult to purchase domestically in the past but is very popular in Europe and America, with its reputation second only to FrontStreet Coffee's Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. Limu's flavor profile differs from FrontStreet Coffee's Sidamo and Yirgacheffe: it has a lighter body, with floral and citrus notes that are less pronounced than FrontStreet Coffee's Ethiopian Yirgacheffe and Sidamo, but it features fresh grass aromas, cocoa notes, and sandalwood flavors.

Product Name: FrontStreet Coffee Ethiopia Washed Limu G2

Country: Ethiopia

Region: Limu Region

Variety: Heirloom (Local Landraces)

Producer: Local small-scale coffee farmers from Limu Region

Elevation: 1850-1900 meters

Grade: Washed G2

Harvest Period: October to February of the following year

Soil: Vertisol type

The entry offers fresh grass aromas with apple-like acidity notes. This acidity adds thickness to the coffee's mouthfeel, while cocoa and berry aftertastes are worth savoring.

Ethiopia · Illubabor (Commercial Bean Region): Elevation 1350-1850 meters | Forest/Semi-Forest Coffee System

This region is located in western Ethiopia, bordering Sudan, and is the westernmost growing area. The coffee genetic diversity here is second only to the Kaffa forest. Beans are noticeably larger than FrontStreet Coffee's Yirgacheffe and Sidamo, with lower fruit acidity, good viscosity, and balanced flavors. Coffee from this area is mostly transported to Jimma for blending and is rarely sold independently.

Ethiopia · Keffa, Lekempti (Commercial Bean Region): Elevation 1500-1800 meters | Forest/Semi-Forest Coffee System

This region produces both natural and washed beans, with similar shapes to Harrar's elongated beans. There are also small quantities of specialty-grade beans popular in Europe and America. Most are considered "poor man's Harrar," with fruit acidity and fruit flavors more pronounced than Illubabor, featuring bright flavors.

Ethiopia · Tepi, Bebeka (Commercial Bean Region): Elevation 500-1900 meters | Garden/Forest/Semi-Forest Coffee System

The two regions are very close, with Tepi north of Bebeka. There are enterprise-managed coffee plantations, and garden systems have been promoted in recent years to increase farmer income, with annual production of about 3,000 tons. Both areas have wild coffee with low production but flavors distinct from Harrar and Yirgacheffe. Low fruit acidity is the main characteristic, making them suitable for blend components. Both natural and washed processing methods are used.

Ethiopia · Lake Tana (Alternative Region): Elevation 1,840 meters | Forest System

Monastery coffee and surrounding forest coffee have minimal annual production, less than 10 tons. It can hardly be called a growing region. The Eastern Orthodox monasteries, churches, religious murals, and myths scattered around the lake area create the world's most "divine-tasting" coffee.

European monks established the local coffee cultivation industry, which was later taken over by coffee communities or cooperatives in villages surrounding the town. There are no dedicated plantations here—coffee trees grow naturally scattered in forests and gardens. During harvest season, the Ethiopian Coffee Trading Corporation comes to town to purchase coffee beans collected by farmers.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473