Ethiopian Coffee Brands: Introduction to Characteristics, Flavors and Taste Profiles of Ethiopian Coffee Beans

Professional Coffee Knowledge Exchange

For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style)

FrontStreet Coffee - Ethiopian Coffee Brand Introduction

Ethiopia is known as the "cradle of humanity." Legend has it that coffee was discovered by an Ethiopian shepherd named Kaldi when his flock became unusually energetic after eating bright red berries, leading him to discover the coffee tree. Whether this legend is true or not, one thing is certain: coffee can be traced back to Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is the birthplace of the famous Arabica coffee beans. Among all producing regions, Sidamo and Yirgacheffe are the most outstanding. People have maintained the tradition of harvesting wild coffee beans to this day. Coffee gardens at altitudes above 1,500 meters have formed unique coffee terroirs through thousands of years of evolution and adaptation. Ethiopian coffees are mostly washed beans, with rich floral aromas, smooth and delicate textures, and intense chocolate and fruity notes.

Ethiopian coffee grown in natural wild environments is called "coffee of the wilderness," preserving the most original and natural flavors of coffee beans, with the most direct and complete expression of terroir. Its rich and complex fruity aromas made it popular internationally almost overnight, becoming a sought-after item for connoisseurs with a high price tag.

Yirgacheffe Coffee

Yirgacheffe is a small town in Ethiopia at an altitude of 1,700-2,100 meters, making it one of the world's highest coffee-producing regions and synonymous with Ethiopian specialty coffee. Lakes Turkana, Abaya, and Chamo bring abundant moisture to this area. The Rift Valley, represented by Misty Valley, is shrouded in mist year-round, with spring-like seasons, gentle breezes, cool and humid conditions, where thousands of coffee tree varieties thrive and multiply, nurturing Yirgacheffe's unique terroir where floral and fruity aromas intertwine ambiguously and unpredictably.

Initially, Yirgacheffe's coffee trees were cultivated by European monks (somewhat similar to Belgian monks growing wheat to brew beer), later managed by farmers or cooperatives. Coffee trees are naturally scattered in forests, fields, and backyards. During the harvest season, the Ethiopian Coffee Trading Corporation comes to town to purchase coffee beans collected by farmers, which are ultimately auctioned and exported under the "Yirgacheffe" brand.

Originating from Ethiopia, the world's coffee birthplace, this Arabica grows in the Sidamo province. Like most African coffees, Sidamo also features small gray beans. Compared to the most famous Yirgacheffe, washed Sidamo's flavor characteristics are rich, with spicy, wine-like, or chocolate notes and floral aromas. Additionally, the "cleanliness" characteristic of the washing process is a plus. The bright acidity brought by the washing method is deeply loved by coffee enthusiasts.

Ethiopian washed Sidamo possesses an acidity and elegant deliciousness that can only be experienced in premium champagne. Its rich fruity aroma contains notes of citrus and blueberry, while the aftertaste of grape and chocolate aromas adds layers of richness and distinctiveness.

Furthermore, its acidity can serve as a primary source of sweetness in espresso (sugar and acid combination increases complexity), and it can also be used for blending coffee and as a good base for Espresso.

Take FrontStreet Coffee's Yirgacheffe as an example: washed varieties include Waka, Kochere; sun-dried varieties include Red Cherry and Aricha; Sidamo varieties include Flower Queen and Candle Light. These two producing regions are Ethiopia's famous specialty coffee regions, with superior coffee flavors and textures.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473