From the Ethiopian coffee ceremony to the multi-generational coffee farmers, Ethiopia not only produces high-quality coffee beans, but they respect it as well.
Producing African coffee beans in this country is detail-oriented from start to finish and completed with pride. These berries are a large part of Ethiopian history, with evidence that monks chewed them for an energy boost in 850 AD.
Ethiopia is where coffee started and it still holds the key to the highest-quality berries, with unique flavour profiles and some of the best quality coffeesin the world.
A Look into the Past
While we know coffee beans originated in Ethiopia, we aren’t entirely sure how the brewing process started.
A popular, engaging, and more than likely fictitious version is that a goat herder noticed that his goats seemed more energized and active after grazing on coffee plants.
The man collected the beans and brought them along while visiting a local monk. The monk sensed evil in the coffee bean and tossed them into the fire to destroy them. Once the floral aroma of these beans wafted through the room, the monk decided to retrieve them, grind them, and brew them in water.
Whether you believe that origin story or not, we know that these beans come from and are only native to Kaffa. This portion of southwest Ethiopia is home to over 5000 varieties of arabica coffee beans.
Ethiopia doesn’t simply grow coffee beans, but this country also shapes much of its culture around coffee production. It is believed that around 60% of the product harvest today remains in Ethiopia, and nearly 12 million Ethiopian natives have a hand in producing these beans.
Ethiopian Coffee Bean Regions
There are six central regions in Ethiopia where coffee beans grow in abundance. These areas are where some of the highest-quality coffee in the world comes from. Always check the label to ensure one of these regions is listed if you purchase Ethiopian coffee beans:
- Sidamo (Yirgacheffe and Guji)
- Harar
- Limu
- Genika
If you are interested in trying a delicious cup of Ethiopian coffee, grab a bag of this delicious variety from the Yirgacheffe regiontoday.
Ethiopian Coffee Beans
There are also a few different types of Ethiopian coffee beans to choose from as well. In this country, you have the option of:
- Long berries
- Short berries
- Mocha
Long berries are considered the highest quality of the three categories and are much longer than the other two. Short berries are smaller in size but still contain a high-quality flavour. Mocha berries are tiny but offer a unique and decadent flavour profile.
Processing Ethiopian Coffee Beans
When choosing a specific Ethiopian coffee bean, you will also get the choice of wet berries and dry berries. These processes are very different yet very effective.
- Wet berry: These berries are selected when the dense ones sink to the bottom of a barrel full of water. The heavier berries are then separated, the skin is removed, and the beans are placed in a fermentation tank for three days. Once this process is completed, they are shipped to be dried, bagged, and sold.
- Dry berry: These berries are sorted by hand, with only the heavier ones selected to continue the process. The high-quality, dense beans are set on raised wooden pallets and placed in the sun for weeks. Then, the husk is removed, and the Ethiopian beans are packaged and shipped.
Coffee Grading Categories For Ethiopian Coffee Beans
Ethiopian coffee comes in two specific grading classes with nine separate categories to help distinguish which become a specialty grade and which are commercial grade.
- Grade 1 to 2: Specialty Ethiopia coffee beans
- Grade 3 to 9: Commercial Ethiopia coffee beans
Specialty coffee beans are the whole beans you find at specialty shops, coffee bars, or from quality coffee sellers that ship the product directly to customers. Coast to Coast Coffee offers a unique coffee subscription, where your favourite coffee will be delivered directly to your mailbox on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly schedule.
Commercial coffee is typically pre-ground coffee, sold in bags and sitting on the local grocery store shelves. This coffee is also used to make pre-brewed coffee already flavoured with cream, sugar, and other ingredients.
What Does Ethiopian Coffee Taste Like?
Ethiopian coffees have a flavour profile like no other. This particular type of bean offers coffee lovers a low-acidity brew with a medium body - not too bitter or too sweet.
This bean provides deep fruity-tasting notes and flavours. Many of these options offer sweet undertones of blueberries, strawberries, and lime fruit, with a subtle similarity to sweet red wine.
Ethiopian Coffee Brewing Tips
If you decide you want to try a cup of Ethiopian coffee, there are a few brewing tips to keep in mind before you start the process.
- Make sure you purchase your Ethiopian beans from a reputable artisanal coffee company, like us, Coast to Coast Coffee.
- Store your beans in a cool, dark place.
- Keep your beans in a sealed, airtight container after opening them.
- Grind the roasted coffee beans just before brewing to ensure you get the most flavour.
Ways to Brew Ethiopian Coffee
There are numerous ways to brew Ethiopian coffee to get the best taste from each sip. Since you already have the best Ethiopian coffee beans available, the brewing options will only enhance the flavour and can be selected based on preference.
- Pour over
- French press
- Aero press
- Drip coffee maker
- Espresso
- Cold brew
When brewing your coffee, remember that the more coffee you use, the stronger the flavour. The typical brewing instructions recommend 1 part coffee ground to 4 parts water.
Summing Things Up
Look no further if you are searching for some delicious Ethiopian coffee. Coast to Coast Coffee offers subscription options of high-quality and delicious coffee from the town of Yirgacheffe in the Sidamo region.