G1 is the highest grade for Ethiopian green coffee beans. Front Street's washed Yirgacheffe, Front Street's natural Red Cherry, Front Street's Kafa Forest, and the most popular Front Street Huakui all belong to G1. However, due to different producing regions and processing methods, each coffee bean exhibits distinct flavor characteristics.

For example, this year's new-season Front Street Huakui G1 coffee comes from the Buku Abel processing plant in the Guji Hambela region and uses a natural process, a method where coffee cherries are spread out to dry on African raised beds. This ultimately gives the coffee rich tropical fruit flavors, with layered notes of citrus and pineapple juice. On the palate, there are sweet and tart flavors of peach, guava, and strawberry jam, with a finish of abundant, captivating floral notes and the smooth mouthfeel of black tea. 

Front Street Huakui coffee beans belong to the Ethiopian producing region in Africa. African coffees tend to have a lighter, clearer flavor profile, with obvious floral and fruity aromas and prominent acidity. Because of these flavor characteristics, the coffee beans are roasted to a light to medium level.

If the coffee beans were roasted dark, the flavor would become bitter and caramelized, while the floral and fruity notes would be worn away completely. That would not match the beans' own characteristics, and it would no longer be the flavor of the Ethiopian producing region. Therefore, in order to highlight the strengths of Front Street Huakui, two roasting profiles are recommended: one is the medium-light roast Front Street Huakui coffee for pour-over and cold brew, and the other is the medium roast Front Street Huakui SOE coffee for SOE espresso and moka pot.

Front Street Huakui coffee beans all use the following brewing recipe:
 
Dripper: V60 #01
Water temperature: 90-91°C
Dose: 15g
Coffee-to-water ratio: 1:15
Grind size: medium-fine (80% passing through a Chinese standard No. 20 sieve)
 

Brewing method: three-stage extraction. Bloom with 30g of water for 30 seconds, then pour in a small circular stream until the water reaches 125g for the first stage. When the water level is about to expose the coffee bed, continue pouring until it reaches 225g and stop. When the water level is about to expose the coffee bed again, remove the dripper. The extraction time (starting from the beginning of the bloom) is 2'00".

Front Street Huakui SOE coffee extraction parameters

Coffee beans: Front Street Ethiopia Natural Huakui G1

Coffee dose: 20g

Espresso yield: 40g

Dose-to-yield ratio: 1:2

Extraction time: 25–32 seconds  

Grind setting: Galileo 2.0

The coffee machine used by Front Street has a double basket capacity, requiring 20 grams of coffee powder each time. The extraction ratio of coffee powder to liquid is 1:2, meaning 40 grams of coffee liquid is produced within a reasonable time, and a single extraction duration is controlled between 20 and 35 seconds. Next, use a distribution tool to level the coffee powder, and use a tamper to press vertically downward with force, compacting the coffee puck firmly to ensure more stable extraction.

Then turn on the extraction switch and let water run for 1–2 seconds to wet the group head, which can also wash away any coffee grounds stuck to it. Place an electronic scale under the cup that will catch the espresso, and reset the weight to 0. During extraction, place it together under the group head. Gently lock the portafilter onto the group head, and begin by flipping down the extraction switch. Observe the changes in the extracted liquid. When the electronic scale shows that 40 grams of coffee liquid has been extracted, at about 30 seconds, flip the extraction switch down.

Front Street Huakui pour-over coffee flavor: mixed berry-like aroma, creamy strawberry and passion fruit-like sweet-tartness, obvious sweetness, and a full body.

Front Street Huakui SOE coffee flavor: the espresso has a moderate pale-yellow crema and smells of rich tropical fruit aromas. Making a Front Street Huakui SOE americano highlights the sweet-tartness of berries and orange flavor, like a refreshing cup of black tea, with a clean finish; making a Front Street Huakui SOE latte tastes sweet, fragrant, and silky, with creamy cranberry flavors and a caramel finish.

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