Which Coffee Region Does Yirgacheffe Belong To and What Grade is Its Premium Coffee?

FrontStreet Coffee Yirgacheffe Coffee Introduction

Ethiopia is undoubtedly the homeland of coffee.

It is said that coffee originally originated in the Kaffa province highlands of southwestern Ethiopia, and the origin of the name "coffee" is also related to this place. Ethiopia's native coffee varieties and quantity are also the highest in the world, with more than 3,500 recorded varieties, all of which are delicious, high-quality bean types.

This is related to its topography. Although Ethiopia is located in the tropics, its terrain is dominated by mountainous plateaus, and temperatures vary with the terrain, being unevenly hot and cold. In high-altitude areas, the climate is cool and water is abundant, making it particularly suitable for the growth of high-quality coffee beans. The famous Yirgacheffe coffee bean growing area is located here. Yirgacheffe is one of the highest altitude coffee producing regions in the world, with Lake Turkana, Lake Abaya, and Lake Chamo bringing rich moisture to this area. At the same time, due to the rift valley terrain, this area is shrouded in mist all year round, cool and humid, with spring-like seasons throughout the year, making Yirgacheffe coffee beans also exhibit spring-like floral and fruity aromas.

Yirgacheffe coffee is known as "fruit coffee." Its flavor is rich in layers, with a smooth entry and charming aroma. Take a sip, and it's like sweet fruit pulp, accompanied by a hint of honey flavor, with lively and bright acidity. The aroma includes jasmine, ginger flower and other floral notes, as well as rich and intense fruit aromas like blueberry, strawberry, and cantaloupe. There is a phrase specifically describing Yirgacheffe—when coffee enters the mouth, a hundred flowers bloom.

On this magical land of Ethiopia, there are still many unknown coffee varieties yet to be discovered. Those wild coffee fruits will surely have amazing flavors. We just need to wait, the most original coffee homeland will surely bring us more surprises.

Ethiopia Coffee Grading System

Before ECX appeared, for washed coffee, export grades were divided into G1 and G2; for natural coffee, export grades were G3, G4, G5, which meant the highest grade for natural coffee was G3.

After ECX appeared, the grading was redefined. There was no difference in the grading names for washed coffee, but for the first time, G1 appeared in the definition for natural coffee. This is why the market now sees Ethiopian natural coffees as G1 and G2, while G3 is gradually becoming less common.

Ethiopian coffee beans are divided into five grades. Grade 1 and Grade 2 are reserved for washed beans. For washed beans, Grade 1 represents 0-3 defective beans per 300g of raw beans; Grade 2 represents 4-12 defective beans per 300g of raw beans. Natural coffee bean qualities are Grade 3, Grade 4, and Grade 5 respectively.

Coffee Knowledge Point

The Arabica species was most likely first discovered in southern Sudan, but it wasn't until it spread to Ethiopia that it gradually flourished.

About FrontStreet Coffee

In short: FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research hall, happy to share coffee knowledge with everyone. We share without reservation only to let more friends fall in love with coffee, and we hold three low-discount coffee events every month. This is because FrontStreet Coffee wants to let more friends drink the best coffee at the lowest price, which has been FrontStreet Coffee's mission for the past 6 years!

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