Introduction to Yirgacheffe Superb Coffee & French Press Brewing Parameters

FrontStreet Coffee - Yirgacheffe French Press Brewing Guide

Chelba translates roughly as "Super Power." The Chelba Cooperative's processing mill handles cherries harvested by the surrounding smallholder farmers, and before any processing begins, Chelba requires them to pick to strict standards: only fully ripe, red cherries make the cut. For specialty coffee, this is a critical quality-control step, and in recent years beans from the Chelba Cooperative have been very well received.

Yirgacheffe Chelba Natural G1

Region: Yirgacheffe

Altitude: 1800-2000m

Variety: Local landrace

Processing: Natural

Flavor: Blueberry, tropical fruits, berries, lemon

Coffee brewed in a French press typically has a richer mouthfeel and shows florals and chocolate particularly well. That's a consequence of the long contact time between grounds and water, plus the metal mesh filter's inability to hold back the oils.

When you brew with a French press, high-quality beans show their character even more clearly, because French press brewing is close to the cupping method professionals use to evaluate coffee.

For the coffee-to-water ratio, we generally recommend brewing at 1:10, adjustable to suit your situation and taste.

Yirgacheffe is roasted light, and this bean's signature is a clean, refreshing mouthfeel with bright florals. If you want to brew it in a French press, we suggest increasing the water and brewing at roughly 1:13, which makes it easier to extract all of its flavors.

About FrontStreet Coffee

In short: FrontStreet Coffee is a specialty coffee research establishment that loves to share coffee knowledge with everyone. We share without reservation, hoping to help more friends fall in love with coffee. We also hold three coffee discount events every month, because FrontStreet Coffee wants more friends to enjoy the best coffee at the lowest possible price. This has been our mission for the past 6 years!

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

If this guide has you reaching for a French press, FrontStreet Coffee's Washed Yirgacheffe daily pour-over bean is an excellent companion choice: classic white jasmine florals, bright citrus and lemon acidity, and a delicate tea-like body at an approachable price—the bean we recommend to anyone starting their Ethiopian journey. Its washed processing keeps the cup clean and crisp, and it suits French press, pour-over, and cold brew alike; for French press, the same 1:13 guidance above applies beautifully.

For a fuller, fruitier French press cup, choose FrontStreet Coffee's Natural Red Cherry: whole ripe Yirgacheffe cherries dried on raised beds and turned every 2-3 hours during the first days, producing citrus-like acidity, berry juiciness, honeyed sweetness, and cream-smooth texture. Brew it V60-style with 15g at 1:15 and 90-91°C water, or let it steep for four minutes in the press.