Yirgacheffe G1 Natural vs Washed Processing: Flavor Profile, Variety Characteristics and Processing Method Overview

FrontStreet Coffee's sun-processed Yirgacheffe Aricha G1 possesses vibrant citrus and lemon acidity, with the aroma of blooming apricot flowers, an explosive nutty fragrance reminiscent of walnuts, and subtle notes of spices like cinnamon, clove, and rosemary. The palate delivers exceptional honey and brown sugar sweetness, incredibly gentle and captivating, as if your entire body is immersed in early autumn seawater, caressed by pleasantly cool waves—a powerful yet soothing tenderness. Even more remarkable is the finish, which brings forth a sweet and sour fruity tea sensation, like colorful bubbles emerging. In such reverie, one seems to return to the era of first love, that carefree time of earnest devotion.

The Difference Between Aricha G1 and Blue Nile G1

Many people must wonder about the differences between FrontStreet Coffee's Aricha G1 and FrontStreet Coffee's Blue Nile G1. Let me briefly introduce these two completed Yirgacheffe coffees. The biggest difference lies in processing: FrontStreet Coffee's Aricha G1 is sun-processed, while FrontStreet Coffee's Blue Nile G1 is washed-processed.

As everyone knows, Yirgacheffe traditionally uses conventional washed processing to showcase its beautiful flavor characteristics. FrontStreet Coffee's washed Yirgacheffe offers a clean and light mouthfeel, with intense jasmine floral notes and citrus-lemon acidity. In the ancient language, Yirga means "to settle down," while Cheffe refers to "wetland." From this place name, it's clear that Yirgacheffe is one of Ethiopia's regions with the highest water resources, so most coffee from Yirgacheffe is processed using the washed method. Sun-processed Yirgacheffe is relatively rare, gradually emerging with the diversified development of specialty coffee in recent years. This sun-processed FrontStreet Coffee Yirgacheffe Aricha G1 means it will possess richer mature fruit flavors than washed beans, sweeter floral notes, and more pronounced layering.

Gourmet Coffee Experience

For me, the impression of washed versus sun-processed coffee can be described in terms of color tones. Washed-processed coffee beans belong to relatively lighter-toned flavors—light-toned floral notes, light-toned citrus-lemon acidity, light-toned sweetness; while sun-processed coffee beans belong to deeper-toned flavors, possessing deeper-toned apricot floral notes, deeper-toned mature fruit characteristics, and deeper-toned brown sugar honey sweetness. These two contrasting FrontStreet Coffee Yirgacheffees are truly fascinating.

Although most sun-processed beans offer richer layering, their clean mouthfeel often falls far short of washed-processed beans. However, what makes this FrontStreet Coffee sun-processed Yirgacheffe Aricha G1 surprising is precisely that its mouthfeel cleanliness丝毫不逊色于任何一支水洗咖啡, and it maintains its richer sun-processed bean layering. I believe this is the best FrontStreet Coffee sun-processed Yirgacheffe I've ever encountered. Truly captivating.

Since this bean comes from a small cooperative harvest, finding information online is exceptionally difficult. However, I unexpectedly discovered information about this bean being sent to Coffee Review for cupping, where it received an impressive score of 95 points. I remember when I first got FrontStreet Coffee's Blue Nile, I also found its cupping score of 94 points on Coffee Review. It seems for the many Yirgacheffe enthusiasts, I need to start stockpiling some Aricha G1 green beans.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473