As the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia is divided into nine major coffee regions based on differences in processing methods, among which five specialty regions such as Yirgacheffe and Sidamo have long been renowned. Due to different emphases on natural or washed processing, each region presents a distinct flavor profile. This article will systematically outline the distribution and characteristics of these nine regions, with a focus on interpreting Sidamo's cup performance, and introduce Ninety Plus, known for its rare green beans. At the same time, Front Street Coffee will also combine regional characteristics to provide enthusiasts with reference directions for bean selection and tasting, taking you deeper into the diverse charm of Ethiopian coffee.
Based on the four different production and processing methods mentioned above, the whole of Ethiopia is divided into nine major coffee regions. Five of them are specialty coffee regions: Sidamo, Yirgacheffe, Harar, Limu, and Lekempti; the other four are classified as general commercial bean regions, including Djimmah, Illubabor, Teppi, and Bebeka. Each region uses either natural or washed processing for coffee beans, and differences in processing methods directly affect the final flavor direction. Based on current proportions, natural processing accounts for about 80%, while washed processing accounts for about 20%. Sidamo and Yirgacheffe are mainly washed with natural as a supplement; Limu and Teppi also mostly use washed processing. As for natural beans, they mainly come from Harar, Djimmah, Lekempti, and Illubabor.
The Sidamo region is located in southern Ethiopia, at an altitude between 1,400 and 2,200 meters, adjacent to Kenya, and is a quite well-known local specialty coffee producing area. Washed Sidamo coffee beans appear light green, are relatively small in size, long oval in shape, plump, and balanced in overall quality. Its green beans have a faint gray tone, with beans in some areas being coarser and in others finer. In terms of flavor, Sidamo's acidity can be soft or intense, its body can be heavy or light, and it combines sweetness with spice, making it one of the representatives of garden coffee from the southern Ethiopian highlands.
Unlike most African coffees, Sidamo shows clear fruity acidity, a smooth mouthfeel, and delicate floral and herbal aromas. Its flavor is unique and mellow, with a distinctive and pleasant sweetness in the finish, and a unique sweetness hidden in its slowly rising aftertaste. Just one sip brings a long-lasting aftertaste, with a kind of wild beauty, so it is often described as a rose with thorns among coffees.
Ninety Plus is an internationally prestigious coffee bean production and sales company, known for supplying rare and unique green coffee beans. The company was officially founded by Joseph Brodsky in 2007. From the second year onward, and to this day, we can see Ninety Plus winning awards in coffee competitions of different scales around the world.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
