Ethiopia's Specialties: Ethiopian Coffee Farms, Coffee Industry and Varieties

Ethiopia: The Birthplace of Coffee

Ethiopia is one of Africa's main producers of Arabica coffee, producing some of the world's finest Arabica coffee beans. It is said that coffee was first discovered by shepherds in Ethiopia's Kaffa region, and the name "coffee" evolved from "Kaffa." Therefore, Ethiopia is truly the homeland of coffee.

Coffee Production and Processing

Ethiopia's geographical environment is exceptionally suitable for coffee cultivation. Coffee is primarily grown on the southern highlands at elevations between 1,100 and 2,300 meters. Major coffee-producing regions include Harar, Limu, Djimma, Sidamo, Kaffa, Yergacheffe, and Wellega. The soil in these regions is well-drained, slightly acidic, and red in color with a loose texture.

Ethiopian coffee is harvested once a year. From March to April, beautiful white coffee flowers bloom on the branches, after which the fruit begins to grow. From September to December, the red coffee cherries mature and await picking. From November to December, the new season's coffee begins to be exported.

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

Due to different cultivation methods, coffee can be classified into three types: forest or semi-forest coffee, garden coffee, and plantation coffee.

60% of coffee belongs to the forest or semi-forest category. In such wild coffee forests, no pesticides are used at all; instead, biological methods are employed for pest control.

35% of coffee is garden coffee. In these coffee gardens, cultivation follows a three-dimensional distribution pattern. Coffee grows in the lower layer, receiving suitable growing conditions under the shade of other crops. Fertilizers mainly consist of fallen leaves, withered grass, and animal manure.

5% of coffee is plantation coffee. This is a modern cultivation method where coffee also grows in groves, but new varieties are used and planted in rows interspersed with other shade trees.

Due to different processing methods, coffee can also be divided into two categories: washed coffee and sun-dried coffee.

Washed coffee accounts for 35% of exports. High-quality washed coffee is processed from freshly picked, fully mature cherries, with careful picking and close monitoring by professionals. After selection and cleaning, the coffee beans are pulped on the same day as picking, then fermented, washed, dried, and hulled. The moisture content of processed coffee beans is maintained at around 12%.

Sun-dried coffee accounts for 65% of exports. It is mainly picked by households, and the red coffee beans are placed on cement floors or high tables to dry to about 11.5% moisture content, then hulled and cleaned.

Coffee Grading and Quality Control System

In Ethiopia, the coffee grading and quality control system is divided into three levels: producer, regional, and national. All coffee must undergo inspection by local inspection agencies before leaving its origin, then be re-inspected at coffee inspection and grading centers in Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa to determine its quality grade. Coffee grading before auction and sale is important for all groups involved in production, purchasing, export, and consumption. Before export, coffee must also be sent to a national quality control agency for inspection to confirm that origin, color, and other aspects meet export standards, ensuring the reputation of Ethiopian coffee.

Currently, Ethiopia's coffee grading and quality control system mainly has two indicators: visual inspection and cup evaluation, with assessment items including coffee bean color, cleanliness, origin, taste, and characteristics. Export grading is indicated by simple numbers: the best washed coffee is Grade 5, and the best sun-dried coffee is Grade 4. After grading, it is marked with its origin and can be exported. Typically, exports are paid for by letter of credit, which both reduces the foreign exchange risk for exporters and provides quality assurance to importers.

According to legal requirements, all coffee must be traded through auctions held in Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa. During the coffee harvest season, such auctions are even held twice daily.

Coffee Exports

Coffee is Ethiopia's most important export cash crop and the main source of foreign exchange earnings. Ethiopia's coffee exports account for approximately 3% of the world market share, making it the world's eighth-largest coffee exporting country. Coffee export volume steadily increased from 58,000 tons in 1990-1991 to 110,000 tons in 1995-1996, and has remained at this level for several subsequent years. In 2001-2002, export volume exceeded 110,000 tons, and in 2002-2003, it reached 127,000 tons. Due to the continuous decline in international coffee prices for a decade, Ethiopia's foreign exchange earnings were severely affected. Before the sharp decline in coffee prices, coffee export earnings accounted for more than half of Ethiopia's foreign exchange income, but now only account for about 35%. However, according to International Coffee Organization reports, coffee prices began to rebound in 2002, rising from 41 cents per pound in September 2001 to 52 cents in 2002, and further to 59.7 cents per pound in 2003. The average price in March 2004 was 60.8 cents per pound, a 50% increase from September 2001 prices. This is excellent news for Ethiopia.

Ethiopian people are avid coffee drinkers, with domestic consumption in 2003 accounting for 42.3% of total production, with per capita consumption of 3 kilograms. However, more than half of the annual coffee production is used for export to earn foreign exchange. Major export destinations include the United States, Italy, United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Greece, France, Belgium, Germany, and Australia.

Before 1974, coffee production, processing, and trade rights were all in private hands. During the military regime, private farms were nationalized, and small-scale coffee producers were neglected. In 1991, Ethiopia's transitional government issued a new economic policy encouraging private merchants to export coffee. As a result, the number of private coffee exporters increased dramatically. Currently, nearly 90% of coffee exports are controlled by private exporters.

FrontStreet Coffee's Ethiopian Coffee Characteristics

The natural characteristics of coffee beans include size, shape, acidity, texture, flavor, and aroma. Ethiopian coffee beans are small, aromatic, and have a wine-like acidity, deeply loved by coffee enthusiasts. Due to the unique aroma and flavor of Ethiopian coffee, it is often used in the production and variety improvement of beverages, ice cream, and candies.

World-renowned Ethiopian coffees mainly include:

1. Limu coffee grows at elevations between 1,400 and 2,000 meters. It is washed coffee, of superior quality, with rich nutty aroma, moderate acidity, and wine-like intensity. Annual production is 29,000 tons.

2. Djimma coffee grows at elevations between 1,400 and 1,800 meters. It is sun-dried coffee, slightly acidic with nutty aroma and a long aftertaste. Annual production is 70,000 tons.

3. Ghimbi coffee grows at elevations between 1,500 and 2,300 meters. It is gourmet-grade coffee with moderate acidity and fruity aroma. Annual production is 34,000 tons.

4. Yergacheffe coffee grows at elevations between 1,500 and 2,200 meters. It has mocha flavor with floral and spicy notes. Average annual production is about 28,000 tons.

5. Sidamo coffee grows at elevations between 1,400 and 2,200 meters. It has suitable acidity and superior quality. Average annual production is about 37,000 tons.

6. Harar coffee grows on highlands above 2,700 meters elevation. It is among the world's best coffees, with moderate acidity, intoxicating exotic flavor, and tipsy, dried fruit aroma - pure mocha coffee. Average annual production is about 26,000 tons.

Wholesale Prices

FrontStreet Coffee Yirgacheffe G3 - Bench Maji Zone - Medium Roast - Sun-dried - 78.00 - 156.00 - Jackfruit, spices, wine

FrontStreet Coffee Yirgacheffe G1 - Guji Zone - Medium Roast - Sun-dried - 85.00 - 170.00 - Blueberry, honey, purple fruits, citrus notes

FrontStreet Coffee Yirgacheffe G1 - Aricha - Light Roast - Sun-dried - 95.00 - 190.00 - Light fermented wine aroma, sweet orange, spices, honey sweetness

FrontStreet Coffee Yirgacheffe G2 - Dama Cooperative - Light Roast - Washed - 75.00 - 150.00 - Lemon peel, black tea, dried longan, floral notes

FrontStreet Coffee Yirgacheffe G2 - Kochere Zone - Light Roast - Washed - 69.00 - 138.00 - Jasmine floral, lemon, bergamot, honey, black tea

FrontStreet Coffee Sidamo G2 - Sidamo Zone - Light Roast - Washed - 69.00 - 138.00 - Wild ginger flower, honey, citrus, lemon

FrontStreet Coffee Sidamo G1 - Guji Zone - Light Roast - Sun-dried - 79.00 - 158.00 - Jasmine, honey, citrus, ripe berries

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473