How to Brew Light Roast Yirgacheffe Coffee Beans by Pour-Over, Medium Roast Coffee Brewing Method Sharing

FrontStreet Coffee Yirgacheffe Chelelektu Pour-over Coffee Sharing

Yirgacheffe

Yirgacheffe is a small town in Ethiopia, sitting at an altitude of 1,700–2,100 meters. It is one of the highest coffee-growing regions in the world and is synonymous with Ethiopian specialty coffee. Lakes Turkana, Abaya, and Chamo bring abundant moisture to the area.

In the Rift Valley, represented by the Misty Valley region, fog lingers throughout the year, creating a spring-like climate with gentle breezes and cool, humid conditions. Thousands of coffee tree varieties thrive and multiply here, cultivating Yirgacheffe's unique terroir, where floral and fruity notes intertwine in an ever-changing dance.

Yirgacheffe lies in the Gedeo region of southern Ethiopia. This region includes the well-known areas of Yirgacheffe and Kochere.

Yirgacheffe Chelelektu

Chelelektu sits within the Kochere production area of Yirgacheffe. The cherries come from roughly 500 local smallholder family farms. These farmers typically cultivate coffee on plots averaging less than 2 hectares, at altitudes of 1,900–2,000 meters. Their washed beans have been cupped by professionals, with historical records reaching as high as 94 points.

Brewing Method

V60 Dripper Brewing

Water Temperature: 90–92°C

15 g of coffee grounds

Coffee-to-water ratio: 1:15

Grind size: medium-fine, similar to raw sugar granules (BG-5R grind setting, with 60% passing through China-standard #20 sieve)

Brewing method: staged extraction. Bloom with 30 g of water for 30 seconds. Using a small stream, pour in a circular motion to 125 g, then take a break. When the water level drops and is about to expose the coffee bed, continue pouring to 227 g and stop. When the level drops and is about to expose the bed again, remove the dripper. (Timing starts from the bloom.) Total extraction time: 1'54".

Yirgacheffe Chelelektu

Flavor profile: Lemon, citrus, and berries, with a refreshing lemon finish. The mouthfeel is relatively smooth and gentle.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

Chelelektu's lemony, berry-driven clarity is exactly what makes Yirgacheffe such a rewarding pour-over. To brew the region at home, FrontStreet Coffee's washed Yirgacheffe is the archetypal starting point: white jasmine, bright citrus and lemon acidity, and a clean, tea-like finish, at a price that makes it an easy daily coffee.

If you want to explore Yirgacheffe's smaller cooperatives, FrontStreet's washed Gotiti comes from the Worka area at the southeast edge of the region, where traditional washing brings out citrus, lemon, and an elegant white floral character. For a sun-dried alternative, FrontStreet's natural Red Cherry Yirgacheffe adds tropical fruit, berry-juice body, honeyed sweetness, and a creamy smoothness to the same bright foundation.