Introduction to the Flavor and Taste Characteristics of Various Aspects of Washed Sidamo Coffee from Ethiopia, Africa

FrontStreet Coffee: An Introduction to Ethiopian Washed Sidamo Coffee

The body is on the lighter side. Part of this comes from the beans themselves, and part from the fact that they are deliberately kept at a lighter roast so their aromatics can shine. For that reason, when I pull a shot I usually dose a little heavier and cut the extraction short (22 seconds) to keep solubility in check. Cappuccinos, however, do not turn out well. Even when I stretch the extraction to 30 seconds, or switch to a coarser grind and add more coffee to compensate, the milk still overpowers the cup.

The aroma is unmistakable. Western tasters might call it rose tea; to me it reads more like a lighter brown-sugar ginger soup, with notes of honey and orange. Compared with other Ethiopian Sidamos, this FrontStreet Coffee washed Sidamo is notably cleaner. Against a sweet-and-sour backdrop you can pick out candied fruit, flowers, and chocolate. The body is light yet very smooth. The finish brings milk, caramel, and chocolate, all hallmarks of Ethiopian coffee. The layers of flavor are remarkably complex yet distinct. This is probably why it scores so highly, and why it commands such a high price.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: 9

Acidity: 9

Flavor: 9

Body: 8

Aftertaste: 9

Overall Score: 94

Sidamo Region, Southern Ethiopia

Blind Tasting: Ethiopian coffees are predominantly natural-processed, though that appears to have shifted in recent years. The specialty coffee movement has made palates increasingly discerning.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

If this washed Sidamo appeals to you, FrontStreet Coffee's washed Yirgacheffe is the natural next step, delivering the jasmine florals and bright citrus acidity that define southern Ethiopia. For a Sidamo in a different style, FrontStreet Coffee's Hamasho natural from the Guji zone offers a fruit-forward profile built on strawberry, star fruit, and green grape. Both are roasted light to medium to preserve their vivid aromatics.