Ethiopian Coffee·Major Commercial Bean Region: Gimbi/Lekempti 05

Ethiopian Coffee · Major Commercial Bean Regions: Gimbi/Lekempti

Altitude: 1500 - 2100 meters

Forest/Semi-Forest Coffee System

The growing regions surrounding the cities of Ghimbi and Lekempti are often mentioned together. Coffee roasters may choose to use either name or both. Lekempti is the capital of this region, but coffee bearing this name may actually come from the city of Ghimbi, located 100 kilometers away.

Grown in the highlands of western Ethiopia at altitudes of 4,900-5,900 feet (Wollega Province), north of Jimma, most of these coffee varieties are wild. The annual production is approximately 500,000 bags (60kg each), with exports predominantly consisting of G5/G4 grades. The beans are larger and longer than Longberry varieties, with a greenish-brown color. The flavor profile is similar to jasmine tea but with less fragrance, more bitterness, and lacking the bright acidity of Harar. It has mild fruit and wine notes, though slightly inferior to Harar, but possesses good texture and viscosity. For this reason, Gimbi region beans are often nicknamed "poor man's Harar."

The flavor is complex yet well-balanced, with better throat resonance when dark roasted and a long-lasting aftertaste. This makes it one of the preferred choices for many roasters when creating blends.

Of course, it can also serve as an excellent single-origin coffee, particularly suitable for post-meal consumption.

The above information has been compiled by FrontStreet Coffee. We hope this article helps everyone gain a deeper understanding of coffee.