Ethiopia Yirgacheffe
From Highlands to Heart: Immersing in Ethiopia's Coffee Tapestry
In the highlands of Ethiopia the air is thin, the landscape is a sea of green and it’s the beating heart of Ethiopia's vibrant coffee culture.
Ethiopia proudly holds the title of the birthplace of Arabica, the variety that has become synonymous with the finest flavours in coffee. Legend has it that a ninth century goat herder named Kaldi discovered their magic when he noticed his goats becoming unusually energetic after nibbling their bright red berries. Intrigued, he tried them himself and discovered they were indeed a neat pick-me-up. Word spread, and soon local monks were using the beans to create a stimulating brew to help them stay awake, even during the dullest sermons.
Ethiopian coffee beans are lucky as they are cultivated in regions that have ideal growing conditions, including Sidamo, Yirgacheffe, and Harrar, the main coffee ‘engines’ of the country’s production. Each region imparts its unique flavour profile its beans, resulting in a super-diverse range of tastes. In Sidamo, regarded as the birthplace of coffee, you'll find beans with a zingy acidity and some very pleasing floral notes. Meanwhile, Yirgacheffe, often considered the jewel in Ethiopia's coffee crown, produces beans with a distinctively fruity and almost wine-like quality. Harrar on the other hand, offers a deeper, more robust flavor, with hints of wine and chocolate, delivering a very yummy spicy kick.
It’s not just about the beans though, process of turning them into liquid gold is an art in itself and traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremonies are a sight to behold. The fresh-picked green coffee beans are roasted in a pan over an open flame, then, when ready, they are ground down before being in a traditional pot called the "jebena." The entire ceremony is a truly communal affair, bringing people together to swap stories and memories.
“Ethiopian coffee is renowned for its range of complex and diverse flavour profile” says OHCO’s Paul Taylor. “Even in a single sip, there can be a ton going on, a real journey across the tongue. You might encounter fruity notes, that are reminiscent of berries, citrusy undertones that add brightness, or even hints of chocolate and spices. The coffee's natural sweetness, coupled with a well-balanced acidity, is very harmonious and certainly never dull.
“Customers really enjoy our Ethiopia Yirgacheffe blend, as it's got a bright zing to it, without having that nasty lemon juice vibe, that sets your teeth on edge. You get the acidy-kick, but it resolves to a nice wine-like feel. It works well with a dash of milk to round off the edges, but really, I don’t think you can beat taking it black and made through an Aeropress. Keep you going all day!
Ethiopian coffee isn't just about flavor and commerce; it's truly a significant part of country’s social life. In 2010, UNESCO recognized the cultural significance of the nation’s coffee ceremony by adding it to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Ethiopians often refer to coffee as "bunna," and it's deeply ingrained in their culture. The term "bunna" doesn't just mean coffee; it represents a spiritual experience that totally transcends the physical act of drinking.
This cultural connection to its people is helped by Ethiopia being home to an astonishing amount of variety of beans, with over 6,000 different types being recognised, certainly there’s plenty to choose from, and a number that benefits its legend as being the wellspring of coffee.
So you can tell, here at OHCO we’re big fans. We may not use all 6,000 types in our blends, but the variety in its flavours means there’s always little bit of mystery and magic in every cup we create.
All in all, hell of a journey so make sure you book your ticket :-)
“The coffee’s natural sweetness, coupled with a well-balanced acidity, is very harmonious and certainly never dull”
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Ethiopia Yirgacheffe
