Ethiopia is a vast country (as large as Spain and France combined), with a high degree of geographical diversity. It presents stark contrasts, ranging from the most inhospitable place on Earth, the Danakil Depression, to the jungles of the Southwest in Yirga Chefe. But if there is one geographical characteristic that defines Ethiopia, it is its altitude: from the plateaus of the central part of the country to the mountains of the South, the average elevation above sea level is 1,330 meters.
Yirgacheffe is a small part of Sidamo, located between the towns of Dilla and Agere Maryam. It was in this area that Mr. Hiwot, who was working for Besse & Co. in 1960, noticed that the coffee beans from one of the processing plants in the Yirgacheffe region had unique characteristics: uniform size, a bluish color, and a fruity cup similar to Sidamo coffee, but with very distinctive floral and citrus notes, and very high acidity. He decided not to blend this coffee with other Sidamo coffees and began marketing it separately. Later, 20,000 hectares of coffee were planted in the area to try to replicate these characteristics, and thus the Yirgacheffe designation was created.
But as in the case of the Sidamos, when it comes to commercial cafes, the cafes are classified
like Yirgacheffes, they do exhibit certain cup characteristics.
The Sidamo region is located in southern Ethiopia, bordering Kenya and Somalia. Sidamo is the name of this mountainous territory, as well as the name of its inhabitants and their language. Here, coffee grows wild on the hillsides or is cultivated in coffee gardens (small plots where each family also plants fruit trees and vegetables) or on larger plots, and is processed at washing stations scattered throughout the region. Besides being an important part of the local economy, it also plays a central role in the social and cultural life of the area.
THE CAR WASH STATION
Coffee from the Nura Korate Primary Cooperative. Located in the town of Nura Korate, the cooperative was founded in 1975 and comprises 1,845 small-scale producers. The coffee farm sits at an altitude of 1,800 meters above sea level and covers an area of 1,730 hectares. The cooperative works exclusively with certified organic and Fairtrade coffees.
THE GRAINS
Origin: Sidamo, Yirgacheffee
Roast: Espresso
Washing Station: Wensho
Altitude: 1,800 to 2,200 meters above sea level
Variety: Native
Benefit: Washing
Tasting notes: It is a sweet and silky coffee. On the palate, it is reminiscent of sweet citrus fruits like mandarin.
THE IMPORTER
Our favorite importer, Xorxios, has once again given us the opportunity to work with MOPLACO coffees. At the helm of the company since 2008 is Heleanna Georgalis, who is immersed in the third wave of coffee, personally overseeing the quality of the coffee she exports. She continues her father's legacy and affirms her passion for this world, where she can experiment with processes and enjoy seeing the results firsthand. It's important to highlight that the uniqueness of Ethiopian coffees lies in the "non-genetic modification" of the coffee plants. In Ethiopia, thousands of unexplored varieties exist, and those that are known remain intact—a point Heleanna emphasizes every time she speaks about the subject. Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee; the varieties are specific to each region. Scientists have identified 37 varieties, 34 of which are natural.
We often find that Ethiopian coffee is of the Heirloom variety, which means "old-growth" or "old-rooted." It doesn't define the specific variety itself, but rather is a generic term. The variety is named after the region where it grows and has been cultivated for many years, and it should have the characteristic flavor of that region.
THE RECIPE
We offer these guidelines to help you develop a recipe, but keep in mind that it may vary depending on the machine, mill, and water you use.*
IN 18 grams of coffee
OUT 35 grams per cup
Time of 25 seconds.
Coffee boiler temperature 93ºC,
Water pump pressure 9 bar
*La Marzocco, Linea PB
*Victoria Arduino, Mythos One
*Osmosis water, 110 ppm
