Is Sidamo Coffee Sour? Black Coffee Sidamo Washed Sidamo Washed Flavor Description

FrontStreet Coffee - Ethiopia Sidamo Guji Washed

The Sidamo growing region sits at an elevation of 1,800-2,300 meters and is a renowned specialty coffee area in southern Ethiopia. The famous Yirgacheffe is in fact a small town within Sidamo. The Sidamo region borders Kenya.

Sidamo Region

Sidamo coffee is remarkably diverse. The many soil types, microclimates and countless native coffee varieties have created clear differences and distinct characters in the coffees produced by different towns. From 2010 to 2012, the region consistently scored 92-94 on the authoritative American coffee review site CR, which speaks to the extraordinary quality of its coffee. The area has towering mountains, highlands, plateaus, valleys and plains, a varied topography. Geologically it is nutrient-rich, well-drained volcanic soil almost two meters deep, with topsoil that appears dark brown or brown. Its greatest advantage is that soil fertility is maintained by cycling organic matter, using fallen leaves from surrounding trees and plant residues as fertilizer.

This coffee comes from the Guji area of Ethiopia's Sidamo region. It is Grade G1, grown at approximately 1,800-2,300 meters, processed using the washed method and medium roasted. Raw Sidamo beans are oval, slightly pointed at both ends; they look somewhat small but are deep green and uniform, with a pure aroma.

Ethiopia Sidamo Guji Washed

Region: Sidamo Guji

Variety: local native varieties

Elevation: 1,800-2,100 m

Processing: washed

Flavor Description

Dry aroma: lemon, roasted almonds, ginger, cream chocolate

Wet aroma: Earl Grey tea, brown sugar, ginger, caramel, cream chocolate

Mouthfeel: bright and smooth acidity on entry, with a delicate fragrance. The bitterness is light and fades as soon as it reaches the throat. There is a mild brown-sugar-ginger-tea spiciness, and the finish brings the acidic aroma of white wine along with chocolate flavors.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

The clean, washed Ethiopian character described here shows up most clearly in Yirgacheffe, and FrontStreet Gudingding Cooperative is a fine example. It comes from the Gudingding processing station in the Worka area at the southeastern edge of Yirgacheffe, once part of the Worka cooperative under the YCFCU umbrella before becoming a single-origin lot in its own right. The station keeps to traditional washed processing, and the cup carries no old bitter tone, only fresh, bright citrus and lemon acidity with jasmine fragrance - the reason so many drinkers fall for it on the first sip.

For an even more classic everyday starting point, FrontStreet Washed Yirgacheffe is the house lot that introduces most newcomers to Ethiopia. It is known for white jasmine florals, bright citrus and lemon acidity and a tea-like body, and its approachable price has made it the first specialty bean for countless drinkers. If you enjoy the white wine and chocolate finish of this Sidamo Guji, the delicate floral-citrus axis of a good washed Yirgacheffe is a natural extension of the same family.