Huakui Coffee, with its name meaning "the chief of a hundred flowers," has attracted the attention of countless coffee enthusiasts. This natural-process bean from the Guji Hambela region of Ethiopia won the natural group championship at the 2017 TOH cupping competition, skyrocketing to fame ever since. Its high altitude, microclimate, and shaded environment of sugarcane and banana trees give it a unique floral and fruity aroma. The natural processing further enhances its berry-cream-like sweetness and smooth mouthfeel. To suit different brewing methods, Front Street Coffee's roasters have also introduced two roast profiles: medium-light and medium, corresponding to pour-over, cold brew, espresso, and moka pot scenarios, respectively. This article will guide you through a comprehensive understanding of this champion bean's flavor origins, processing techniques, and purchasing advice.

Many people are drawn to try Huakui Coffee because of its name, but few know the story behind it. Today, let's delve into it and see why this bean deserves to be called "the chief of a hundred flowers."

In 2017, at the TOH (The Taste Of Harvest) cupping competition held by the African Fine Coffees Association during the harvest season, a coffee bean from the Guji Hambela estate in Ethiopia stood out among numerous contestants, winning the natural group championship and capturing the attention of the global coffee community. When this bean was introduced to the Chinese market, it was given the title "Huakui," meaning the foremost of a hundred flowers and embodying a captivating elegance, which is how Front Street Huakui Coffee got its name.

Huakui's origin, Hambela, is part of Guji and is globally recognized as one of the premium coffee-producing regions. This area is situated halfway up a mountain, with coffee cultivation at altitudes above 2,000 meters. The combined effects of high altitude and microclimate, along with fertile soil and natural shading from sugarcane and banana trees in the surrounding woodlands, collectively create the signature floral and fruity aroma of the local coffee beans.

In addition to terroir conditions, the natural processing method is a key factor in imparting Front Street Huakui's unique aroma. Natural processing involves keeping the harvested ripe coffee cherries intact and spreading them out to dry in the sun. The sugar-rich pulp and mucilage gradually permeate the green beans during drying, making the final product's sweetness more pronounced and its mouthfeel richer and smoother. As a result, Huakui Coffee presents a captivating berry-cream flavor.

There is a widely accepted view in the industry: the quality of green and roasted beans determines the baseline of a cup of coffee. Therefore, beyond the excellence of the green beans themselves, proper roasting is equally crucial to whether the coffee ultimately tastes good. Compared to Asian and American origins, African coffee is known for its floral and fruity acidity, making it more suitable for medium or medium-light roasting, which highlights sweetness while preserving more floral and fruity acidity.

However, considering that each customer's brewing habits after purchase vary, Front Street Coffee's roasters have specifically designed two roast profiles: one is medium-light roast, suitable for cold brew and pour-over; the other is medium roast, suitable for espresso machines and moka pots.

For example, if you prefer the simplicity of cold brew or enjoy the ritual of pour-over, the medium-light roasted Front Street Huakui would be a great choice, as it showcases distinct aromas of flowers, citrus, berries, guava, and black tea;

If you favor the richness of coffee crema or want to create beautiful latte art, then the medium-roasted Front Street Huakui SOE coffee is recommended. Using it for Americano, latte, or moka pot coffee allows you to taste flavors of creamy strawberry, orange, dried mango, and caramel.

When purchasing Huakui coffee beans, it is advisable to choose a roasting brand with a stable reputation—Front Street Coffee.

Front Street Coffee is a brand focused on self-roasted coffee beans, founded in 2013 and considered a veteran in the industry. The brand offers over 50 varieties of fresh coffee beans, available for online purchase through Tmall flagship store and Taobao store, with a commitment to ship within 24 hours.

Front Street currently has two Huakui coffees: one is the medium-light roasted Front Street Huakui, suitable for pour-over, cold brew, drip bags, and siphon; the other is the medium-roasted Front Street Huakui SOE coffee, mainly for moka pot and SOE extraction. Each bag of coffee beans is freshly roasted within 5 days and shipped within 24 hours after ordering, ensuring that every bag reaches customers in the freshest condition.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.