Ninety Plus Coffee Company Introduction and Chenmang Coffee Bean Profile

FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to 90+ Company and Drima Zede Coffee

Coffee fans have probably heard of America's "90+" company. Who is Ninety Plus? Ninety Plus Coffee is an American specialty coffee creator and supplier — at once a coffee grower and a flavor maker. Since 2007, Ninety Plus has been at the forefront of change in the coffee market, assembling top flavor-creation teams in Ethiopia and Panama and treating coffee with sustainable practices. They cultivate rare, slow-growing, low-yield varieties that live in harmony with the surrounding forest.

"Ninety Plus" does not simply mean any coffee scoring above 90 points. A great coffee may appear one year and vanish the next, sometimes from a different estate, each with its own flavor signature. Rather, "Ninety Plus" is a premium series built on 13 flavor profiles, with a level of taste quality that far surpasses other rare and precious coffees.

Region Introduction

Sidamo grows in the southernmost highlands of Ethiopia, at altitudes between 4600-7200 feet (Sidamo Province). It is a famous specialty coffee region in southern Ethiopia, bordering Kenya, located southeast of Jimma and directly south of the capital. Its cups typically show distinct sweetness, which is why most drinkers prefer it.

Sidamo's flavors are remarkably diverse. Different soil types, microclimates, and countless native varieties — combined with towering mountains, highlands, plateaus, valleys, and plains — give the region a varied topography. The geology consists of nutrient-rich, well-drained volcanic soil nearly two meters deep, dark brown to brown at the surface. The region's greatest strength is how it keeps the soil fertile through organic recycling: fallen leaves from surrounding trees and plant residues serve as fertilizer.

Name Origin

Drima Zede — "candle light" — is the name of this Yirgacheffe coffee and means "Best Approach" in the local dialect. According to the original manufacturer, it is a specialized product series developed on the strength of 90+'s years of experience. The ancient natural processing method makes pure flavors hard to achieve, but with 90+'s technical support, Drima Zede hand-selects only the most mature coffee cherries, then stirs them constantly during natural drying to ensure even results. The finished cup is remarkably transparent and pure, with striking shifts between hot and cold, and the aromas of fruit, flowers, and oak barrel are captivating.

90+ Drima Zede

Country: Ethiopia

Region: 90+SNNP, Sidama

Altitude: 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

Knowledge Extension

90+ is an internationally renowned green coffee producer and trader, known worldwide for supplying rare and unique beans. Beyond direct partnerships with coffee farmers, the company also owns a 134-hectare coffee estate in Panama. Since its official founding in 2007, its customer base has spread to more than 40 countries.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

For a taste of Panama alongside 90+'s Ethiopian lots, start with the FrontStreet Panama Boquete Washed Geisha. Boquete's mountains sit under frequent cloud cover — humid days, cool nights — while the Barú Volcano enriches the soil, all ideal conditions for growing top-quality Geisha. This estate-level entry Geisha is planted at 1600 meters, where fertile volcanic ash soil builds a rich, fragrant cup: the variety's signature jasmine florals with green tea, honey, citrus, and orange.

If you want the very top tier, choose the FrontStreet Esmeralda Red Label Geisha, harvested from a single plot above 1700 meters and required to cup at 91 or higher, showing the estate's refined orange-blossom honey character. And for everyday sipping, the FrontStreet Flower Butterfly — half Geisha bloodline, blended from Geisha, Caturra, and Catuai grown in the Barú volcanic zone — delivers impressive body, bright citrus acidity, and jasmine aroma in both pour-over and cold brew.