An Introduction to the Six Major Coffee Cultivation Models in Ethiopia and the Flavor Profile of Arsi Natural Coffee Beans

Currently, approximately 25% of Ethiopia's population depends directly or indirectly on coffee production for their livelihood. The majority of farmers use traditional cultivation methods. Coffee trees are manually cared for, organic fertilizers are used, and harmful pesticides and herbicides are avoided. Consequently, most coffee produced in Ethiopia is organic.

Cultivation Systems in Ethiopia

Ethiopia's cultivation patterns are complex, ranging from wild coffee growing in primary forests to the contrasting full-sun exposure conditions. The cultivation systems are globally diverse. Typically, people distinguish between two major cultivation environments based on the degree of shade: The first category is forest environments with shade trees (full or partial shade), and the second category grows directly under full sun exposure (such as in the Harar region). Based on these two environments, there are six cultivation patterns.

1. Forest-Shade Coffee

Divided into forest-grown or partially shaded, the former belongs to full shade, with intentionally selected sites for artificially cultivated or traditional wild coffee trees. Wild coffee trees typically lack human care, growing naturally in mountainous forests, with nearby residents harvesting the ripe fruits to supplement their household income. If planted near forest environments, shade trees around coffee trees are usually fruit trees with economic value that can be sold or used by households. In partially shaded environments with fewer surrounding trees, people plant more coffee trees and will also clear surrounding weeds and perform basic management to increase yield.

2. Full Sun Coffee

No forests or shade trees surround the coffee trees. Sun coffee is typically cultivated in small quantities in gardens, located in high-altitude regions between 1,700-2,000 meters, with the Harar region being particularly prominent.

3. Garden-Grown Coffee

As the name suggests, this coffee is planted near homes, typically with only about a hundred trees per household, often mixed with other harvestable crops. The harvested crops and coffee fruits can be used for household consumption or sold in markets to supplement income, existing in both partially shaded or full-sun conditions.

4. Agroforestry Systems

Most areas are 1/4 hectare, using local traditional tree species or fruit trees as shade, cultivated in shaded or partially shaded ways. Those adopting this method are mostly professional coffee farmers, with Sidamo and Yirgacheffe being particularly renowned.

5. Coffee Farms/Plots

Private (or corporate) owned exclusive estates or production blocks, approved by the government with direct sales permits, typically covering more than 10 hectares.

6. Large Plantations

Cultivation areas typically exceed 50 hectares.

West Arsi Coffee from FrontStreet Coffee

FrontStreet Coffee's Arsi coffee adopts smallholder cultivation patterns, with average farms not large, approximately 2-3 hectares. Although coffee cultivation techniques are still developing, compared to other producing regions, the West Arsi region's coffee cultivation technology is developing rapidly. Coffee farmers do not need to hire temporary or full-time workers, but instead select coffee with the help of family members.

West Arsi is located between the famous Yirgacheffe coffee growing area and the Hararghe region, in the eastern part of the Sidamo region, with altitudes between 1,900-2,200 meters. The high altitude combined with fertile soil and green traditional organic cultivation produces coffee with tropical fruit flavors and excellent sweetness.

FrontStreet Coffee's Arsi uses a medium-light roast level and natural processing method, presenting flavors of berries, honey, and nectarine with rich layered characteristics.

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