Ethiopia, Sidamo – Washed
Yirgalem & Wondo, Sidama Zone
Like most coffees that are exported from Ethiopia, this coffee comes from many different small holders from a large area of land, within a particular region. In this case, Sidama or, as it’s more commonly known, Sidamo. The majority of coffees that are grown in Ethiopia are not farmed in the same sense as other coffee producing nations. As it is the birthplace of coffee, the trees grow in the wild as they have done since before coffee was discovered.
In the past, there has been confusion as to what a true ‘Sidamo’ coffee is, and where that coffee should have been grown to be labelled a Sidamo. We have had the pleasure of being able to work with a prestigious producer, allowing us about as much traceability as you can get in Ethiopia. The producer and her team purchase coffee from the Ethiopian Commodities Exchange (ECX) after which they are meticulously sorted in her production facility in Addis. When purchasing from the ECX, buyers focus on three main things; Date of submission to the auction (hinting at Harvest), broad geographical area (Sidamo, Yirgacheffe, Harrar), and quality grade as determined by the ECX. Approximately 90% or more of all coffee which is exported from Ethiopia is first traded through the ECX at auction and then shipped out by producers.
This coffee was grown in the areas of Yirgalem and Wondo at a relatively moderate altitude, the true, or pure Sidamo. Coffees from these areas produce a cup that is generally very clean with a medium acidity.
