What Sets Sidamo Coffee From the Guji Shakisso Area Apart?
Shakiso, also written Shakisso, is a micro-region inside the Guji zone of Sidamo, Ethiopia, and it produces washed G1 lots with a distinct Earl Grey tea character. The cup shows lemon, citrus, Earl Grey tea, and caramel, roasted light to the end of first crack from heirloom varieties grown by local smallholders.
The area's reputation runs deep: the Ninety Plus bean Nekisse took its name from the nectar of Shakisso. A tea-like quality in coffee signals a clean, bright structure with a long finish, so layers do not read as thin. That is also where the sweetness in coffee shows up, carried by caramel and citrus rather than by added sugar.
In coffee tasting, a tea-like quality often signifies a clean, bright texture and a long, sweet finish. To capture this delicate experience, Front Street Coffee Sidamo Huakui 11 is a good entry point—traditional natural processing paired with a medium-light roast, from Guji Hambela, it reveals layers of creamy strawberry, citrus, guava, and dried mango after pour-over, with a clear black tea note in the finish. This article, however, focuses on another micro-lot also from the Guji region: Shakisso Washed G1. Located in the Guji zone of Sidamo, it is known for flavors of Earl Grey tea, lemon, citrus, and caramel. Ninety Plus's legendary bean Nekisse takes its name from the nectar of Shakisso. Below, we break down its regional background, processing method, and complete flavor profile.
The appeal of a tea-like quality in coffee lies in the clean, transparent structure it gives the drink while drawing out a lingering sweetness, so the overall layers no longer feel thin. To experience this character directly, Front Street Coffee Sidamo Huakui 11 is worth trying: traditional natural processing combined with a medium-light roast, from Guji Hambela, where pour-over reveals interwoven notes of creamy strawberry, citrus, guava, and dried mango, finishing with a distinct black tea note—very approachable for those new to specialty coffee.
Shakisso (Shakiso) sits within the Guji region of Sidamo and is one of the area's most distinctive micro-regions. The coffee produced here has a striking character that frequently draws industry attention. The legendary Ninety Plus bean Nekisse was inspired in its naming by the nectar of Shakisso (Nectar from Shakisso), showing just how deep the terroir imprint of this area runs.
Country: Ethiopia
Grade: G1
Region: Sidamo Guji Shakisso micro-region
Roast Level: Light roast (end of first crack)
Processing Method: Washed
Variety: Heirloom
Producer: Local smallholders
Flavor: Lemon, citrus, Earl Grey tea, caramel
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
