Coffee culture

What are the characteristics of washed coffee beans and the difference between washed and natural Yirgacheffe

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee
Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional coffee knowledge exchange For more coffee bean information Please follow Cafe Style (WeChat public account: cafe_style ) FrontStreet Coffee - Brief introduction to the difference between washed and natural Yirgacheffe Yirgacheffe coffee refers to coffee produced in Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia. Yirgacheffe is the name of a local town. The altitude is approximately 1700~2100 meters, making it one of the highest altitude coffee growing regions in the world.

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

FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to the Differences Between Natural and Washed Yirgacheffe

Yirgacheffe coffee refers to coffee produced in the Yirgacheffe region of Ethiopia. Yirgacheffe is the name of a local small town. The altitude ranges from approximately 1700 to 2100 meters, making it one of the highest altitude coffee growing regions in the world and synonymous with Ethiopian specialty coffee. The nearby Lake Turkana, Lake Abaya, and Lake Chamo bring abundant water vapor to this area. In the rift valley, represented by the Misty Valley, fog permeates throughout the year, creating a spring-like environment with gentle breezes, coolness, and humidity. Thousands of coffee tree varieties thrive and multiply here, nurturing the unique terroir of Yirgacheffe where floral and fruity aromas intertwine ambiguously and change unpredictably.

Differences Between Processing Methods

1. Natural processed beans have complete natural mellow flavors, gentle aromas, and more mucilage;

Washed processing method also yields good mellow flavors, high aromatics, and vibrant acidity.

2. Raw bean appearance: Generally, washed raw beans are greenish-blue, while natural processed raw beans are yellowish-green;

Roasted bean appearance: Washed Yirgacheffe has more silver skin, while natural Yirgacheffe has less silver skin.

Flavor Profiles

Natural Yirgacheffe: Light fermented wine aroma, spicy fragrance

Washed Yirgacheffe: Jasmine floral aroma, lemon or lime acidic fragrance

Taste Differences

Natural Yirgacheffe: Natural processing is somewhat complex, with light fermented wine aroma. The bitter taste will be heavier, and the mouthfeel will be much richer, with honey-like sweetness, cocoa notes with hints of spices, full body, and persistent aftertaste.

Washed Yirgacheffe: Washed processing has brighter acidity, like citric acid, with a cleaner and more refreshing mouthfeel. Citrus aromas are more pronounced, with some black tea sensations in the finish.

Similarities: Both have fruity acidity, similar to lemon and citrus fruits.

Knowledge point: The Typica old variety offers excellent flavor, good mouthfeel, and distinct aromas, but has weak disease resistance.

Our Mission

In short: FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research center that loves to share coffee knowledge with everyone. We share without reservation, hoping to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Every month, we hold three coffee promotion events with significant discounts because FrontStreet Coffee wants to offer the best coffee at the lowest prices to more friends. This has been our mission for the past six years!

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