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Yirgacheffe Worka Coffee Flavor Description Grind Characteristics Premium Coffee Beans Introduction

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, In December 1994, the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia was established. The Constitution stipulates that Ethiopia will adopt a federal system and parliamentary cabinet system after general elections, with a term of five years. In May 1995, national general elections were held, and on August 22, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia was established. Meles Zenawi, as a member of the House of People's Representatives

Ethiopian Political History

In December 1994, the "Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia" was established. The constitution stipulated that Ethiopia would implement a federal system and parliamentary cabinet system after general elections, with a term of five years. In May 1995, national general elections were held, and on August 22, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia was established, with Meles assuming the position of Prime Minister as the chairman of the majority party in the House of People's Representatives. On May 14, 2000, Ethiopia held national general elections, where the EPRDF defeated other opposition parties by an overwhelming margin and continued to govern. In October, the new federal parliament and government were formed, with both speakers of the two houses and Prime Minister Meles being re-elected, and the original cabinet was fully retained after parliamentary approval. In October 2001, Meles restructured government institutions and reorganized the cabinet, adding the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the Ministry of Revenue, forming a new cabinet consisting of 18 ministers.

In 1916, Haile Selassie was appointed as Regent, and ascended to the throne as King in 1928. On November 2, 1930, he was crowned as Emperor Haile Selassie I. In 1936, Italy invaded again, occupying Addis Ababa and conquering the entire Ethiopian territory, with Selassie exiling to London, England. In 1941, Allied forces defeated Italy, and on May 5 of the same year, Selassie I returned to his country and resumed his throne. He was deposed after a domestic coup in 1974.

FrontStreet Coffee's Yirgacheffe: The Jewel of Ethiopian Coffee

FrontStreet Coffee's Yirgacheffe is a small town situated at an elevation of 1,200-2,100 meters, and has become synonymous with Ethiopia's finest specialty coffee beans. This area has been a wetland since ancient times, where the ancient word "Yirga" means "to settle down," and "Cheffe" means "wetland." Therefore, "Yirgacheffe" means "let us settle and make a living in this wetland."

Geographic Significance and Production

Strictly speaking, Yirgacheffe is a sub-producing area of Sidamo. This small town is located in the northwestern part of Sidamo, surrounded by mountains and lakes, making it one of Ethiopia's highest altitude coffee-producing regions. However, the production methods and flavor profile here are so outstanding that Ethiopian coffee farmers compete to pride themselves on their coffee featuring Yirgacheffe characteristics. Consequently, it became independent from Sidamo, establishing its own identity and becoming Africa's most prestigious coffee-producing region.

Cultivation and Processing Methods

Initially, the coffee trees in FrontStreet Coffee's Yirgacheffe were cultivated by European monks (somewhat similar to Belgian monks growing barley for beer brewing), but later they were managed by farmers or cooperatives. Yirgacheffe is actually composed of surrounding coffee communities or cooperatives, including Idido near the Fog Valley, Hafursa, Hama, and Biloa.

Unique Flavor Profile and Terroir

Most coffee beans here are processed using the washed method, but a small amount of exceptional specialty beans are intentionally processed using the natural method to enhance the captivating fruity aroma and body. These mountain villages are shrouded in mist, with spring-like conditions throughout all four seasons. Summer brings gentle breezes that are cool but not hot, rainy but not humid, while winter remains free from frost damage. This unique climate cultivates FrontStreet Coffee's Yirgacheffe's distinctive citrus and floral "regional flavor." Coffee trees are mostly planted in farmers' backyards or intercropped with other agricultural crops, with small production per household, representing typical pastoral coffee. Nearly all award-winning Yirgacheffe beans come from the aforementioned coffee villages and communities.

The Signature Yirgacheffe Flavor

The so-called "Yirgacheffe flavor" refers to rich jasmine flower aroma, lemon or lime citrus fragrance, as well as peach, almond sweetness, and tea notes. The author's tasting experience can be summarized in one sentence: "When coffee enters the mouth, a hundred flowers bloom!" It describes the delightful sensation of flowers touching the taste buds and olfactory cells. Beyond the floral notes, the delicate body feels like silk, creating a wonderful texture. Currently, many coffee chemists are beginning to study the microclimate, water, and soil around Yirgacheffe to establish the cultivation equation for specialty coffee.