Does the Origin and Flavor of Yirgacheffe Coffee Change with Altitude? An Introduction to the Characteristics of the Washed Coffee Bean Method

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FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Yirgacheffe Coffee and Washed Processing Method

What makes Yirgacheffe most celebrated is its unique and distinct fruity sweetness and acidity. Upon the first sip, the aroma immediately bursts forth, beginning with delightful citrus notes and jasmine fragrance. Yirgacheffe displays unique lemon, floral, and honey-like sweet aromas, with soft fruit acidity and citrus flavors. The taste is fresh and bright, making it a highly distinctive premium coffee and a quality washed Arabica bean.

If all African coffee varieties were transformed into a bouquet, Yirgacheffe would undoubtedly be one of the most beautiful flowers among them.

Ethiopia is the birthplace of Arabica coffee beans. Generally, pure Arabica coffee beans grow at high altitudes ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 feet, while Yirgacheffe grows at 6,900 feet (2,300 meters, equivalent to the height of Alishan) in forested areas with sparse sunlight and population. It was once exclusively reserved for Ethiopian royalty. Today, coffee beans from the Yirgacheffe region bring Ethiopia 67% of its foreign exchange earnings.

After removing the outer skin, pulp, and mucilage, the coffee cherries are placed in fermentation tanks for 72 hours, making them washed coffee beans. Therefore, besides the floral notes, they also carry slight wine-like flavors.

Yirgacheffe possesses quite subtle floral aromatics. Within its round, smooth mouthfeel lie the fragrances of flowers, fruits, and high mountain black tea, with hints of orange peel, small seedless raisins, and cinnamon sweetness, and even dark chocolate flavors. Combined with clean, crisp acidity, they weave together soft, pleasant flavors and aftertaste.

Yirgacheffe is a small town situated at an altitude of 1,700-2,100 meters and is synonymous with Ethiopian specialty beans. Located in the northwestern part of Sidamo, surrounded by mountains and lakes, it is one of Ethiopia's highest-altitude coffee growing regions on average.

Washed Processing Method

Similar to the natural process, poor quality beans that float are removed by soaking in water. Then, after using machines to remove the skin and pulp, the coffee beans are placed in water tanks, where fermentation dissolves the mucilage. Finally, they are dried by machine.

Flavor description: Compared to natural processed beans, the flavor is cleaner and more refreshing.

Knowledge expansion: Yirgacheffe is actually composed of surrounding coffee communities or cooperatives.

In summary: FrontStreet Coffee is a research-focused coffee establishment that loves sharing coffee knowledge with everyone. We share without reservation simply to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Additionally, we hold three coffee promotional events with significant discounts each month because FrontStreet Coffee wants to let more friends enjoy the best coffee at the lowest possible prices. This has been our mission for the past six years!

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