Characteristics of African Coffee Beans & Flavor Profile of Yirgacheffe Origin Coffee

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FrontStreet Coffee - Yirgacheffe Coffee Introduction

Ethiopia is one of the main producers of Arabica coffee in Africa, producing the world's finest Arabica coffee. It is said that coffee was first discovered by shepherds in Ethiopia's Kaffa region, and the name "coffee" evolved from "Kaffa." Its reputation as the "hometown of coffee" is well-deserved.

Ethiopia's geographical environment is highly suitable for coffee cultivation. Coffee is mainly grown in the southern highlands at altitudes ranging from 1,100 to 2,300 meters. The soil in these areas is well-drained, slightly acidic, and red and loose. Currently, about 25% of Ethiopia's population depends directly or indirectly on coffee production for their livelihood. The majority of farmers use traditional cultivation methods, manually tending to coffee trees, using organic fertilizers, and avoiding harmful pesticides and herbicides. Therefore, most coffee produced in Ethiopia is organic coffee.

Natural characteristics of coffee beans include size, shape, acidity, texture, flavor, and aroma. Ethiopian coffee beans are small, aromatic, and have wine-like acidity, deeply loved by coffee enthusiasts. Due to their unique fragrance and flavor, they are often used in the production of beverages, ice cream, and candies, as well as in variety improvement.

Due to different cultivation methods, coffee can be divided into three types: forest or semi-forest coffee, garden coffee, and plantation coffee. 60% of coffee belongs to forest or semi-forest coffee. In such wild coffee forests, pesticides are not used at all; instead, biological methods are employed for pest control. 35% of coffee belongs to garden coffee. In these coffee gardens, cultivation follows a three-dimensional distribution pattern. Coffee grows in the lower layer, obtaining suitable growing conditions under the shade of other crops. Fertilizers mainly consist of fallen leaves, withered grass, and animal manure. 5% of coffee belongs to plantation coffee. This is a modern cultivation method where coffee also grows in groves, but uses new varieties and is planted in rows interspersed with other shade trees.

Due to different processing methods, coffee can also be divided into two types: washed coffee and sun-dried coffee. Washed coffee accounts for 35% of exports. High-quality washed coffee is processed from freshly picked, fully ripe fruits, with careful picking and close monitoring by professionals.

Clean, selected coffee beans must be pulped on the day of picking, then fermented, washed, dried, and hulled. The moisture content of processed coffee beans remains at around 12%. Sun-dried coffee accounts for 65% of exports. It is mainly picked by families, with red coffee beans placed on cement floors or high tables to dry to about 11.5% moisture content, then hulled and cleaned.

World-Renowned Ethiopian Coffee Varieties

1. Limu Coffee: Grown at altitudes between 1,400 and 2,000 meters. Washed coffee. Superior quality with rich nutty aroma, moderate acidity, and wine-like intensity. Annual production: 29,000 tons.

2. Djimmah Coffee: Grown at altitudes between 1,400 and 1,800 meters. Sun-dried coffee. Slightly acidic with nutty aroma and long aftertaste. Annual production: 70,000 tons.

3. Ghimbi Coffee: Grown at altitudes between 1,500 and 2,300 meters. Gourmet-grade coffee with moderate acidity and fruity aroma. Annual production: 34,000 tons.

4. Yirgacheffe (Lekempti) Coffee: Grown at altitudes between 1,500 and 2,200 meters. Mocha flavor with floral and spicy notes. Average annual production: approximately 28,000 tons.

5. Sidamo Coffee: Grown at altitudes between 1,400 and 2,200 meters. Moderate acidity, superior quality. Average annual production: approximately 37,000 tons.

6. Harar Coffee: Grown on highlands above 2,700 meters altitude. Among the world's finest coffees, with moderate acidity, intoxicating exotic flavor, tipsy notes, and dried fruit aroma - pure mocha coffee. Average annual production: approximately 26,000 tons.

In summary: FrontStreet Coffee is a specialty coffee research establishment dedicated to sharing coffee knowledge with everyone. We share unreservedly, aiming to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Additionally, we hold three low-discount coffee events each month, because FrontStreet Coffee wants to help more friends enjoy the finest coffee at the lowest possible price - this has been our mission for the past six years!

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