Recommendations for Cost-Effective Coffee Bean Brands: Yirgacheffe Coffee Price and Flavor Profile

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FrontStreet Coffee - Coffee Bean Brand Recommendation: Introduction to Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Coffee

Ethiopia is widely recognized as the birthplace of coffee, and its coffee production is highly esteemed in the specialty coffee market. Ethiopian coffee can be found on menus in coffee shops around the world.

Due to significant variations in Ethiopia's topography and altitude, along with various varieties and unclassified indigenous species, the flavor differences between coffees are substantial. This leads coffee buyers to base their purchasing decisions on region, altitude, and cupping scores rather than using variety as the distinguishing factor for Ethiopian coffee.

Yirgacheffe is part of the Sidamo region, but due to its outstanding quality, it has been independently subdivided into its own micro-regions. Although some natural process coffees are produced here, most coffees from this region undergo washed processing. Washed Yirgacheffe exhibits aromas of lemon and jasmine, with distinct floral and fruity notes and bright acidity.

The Yirgacheffe Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union (YCFCU) has 28 primary cooperative members, representing over 45,000 member farmers in the region. "Flavor characteristics may vary depending on altitude; for example, coffees produced by Chichu and Michle cooperatives in areas at 1,600-1,800 meters altitude have vanilla aromas. However, coffees from Idido, Adadao, and Aramo cooperatives, grown at 2,000-2,400 meters altitude, may exhibit floral aromas."

Coffee consumption in 2019/20 is estimated at 3.35 million bags (approximately 201 million tons), an increase of 75,000 bags compared to 2018/19. Coffee consumption in 2018/19 is estimated to increase slightly to 3.27 million bags (196.2 million tons). This trend runs contrary to government efforts to reduce domestic coffee consumption to obtain more exportable coffee beans.

Yirgacheffe Grading

Green bean grading levels: Q1 is the highest grade, followed by Q2

Commonly available domestically are only G1-G4 classifications. Regardless of whether washed or natural process, choosing G1 should yield coffee beans with fewer defects and excellent flavor.

For the actual quality grading of the beans, ECX has further classification methods. Not what you're familiar with as "Yirgacheffe G1" or "Yirgacheffe G2." Freshly harvested coffee beans must first undergo primary grading, and only beans receiving G1-G3 ratings will be further classified into Q1 and Q2 grades through SCAA cupping quality assessment.

High-quality green beans command relatively higher prices, while coffee generally costs around 30 per cup.

Knowledge Extension

So-called coffee processing methods refer to "the process of coffee cherries becoming green coffee beans." Traditionally, coffee has three main processing methods: washed, natural, and honey processing.

In Brief

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