Ethiopia Coffee

Ethiopia produces some of the most unique and fascinating coffees in the world. The three main regions where Ethiopia coffee beans originate are Harrar, Ghimbi, and Sidamo (Yirgacheffe).

Ethiopian Arabica Coffee Beans

Ethiopian Harrar coffee beans are grown on small farms in the eastern part of the country. They are dry-processed and are labeled as longberry (large), shortberry (smaller), or Mocha (peaberry). Ethiopian Harrar coffee can have a strong dry edge, winy to fruit like acidity, rich aroma, and a heavy body. In the best Harrar coffees, one can observe an intense aroma of blueberries or blackberries. Ethiopian Harrar coffee is often used in espresso blends to capture the fine aromatics in the crema.

Washed coffees of Ethiopia include Ghimbi and Yirgacheffe. Ghimbi coffee beans are grown in the western parts of the country and are more balanced, heavier, and has a longer lasting body than the Harrars.

The Ethiopian Yirgacheffee coffee bean, is the most favoured coffee grown in southern Ethiopia. It is more mild, fruitlike, and aromatic. Ethiopian Yirgacheffee coffee may also be labeled as Sidamo, which is the district where it is produced.

For more information about Ethiopia coffee, visit Sweet Maria’s.

Uganda Coffee

Most of Uganda coffee is Robusta, but the Arabica coffee is similar in profile to Kenyan coffees. If you want to buy Ugandan coffee, try the coffee from the western slopes of Mt. Elgon called Bugishu. Bugishu Arabicas are considered to be the best coffees produced by Uganda.

For more information about Uganda coffee, visit Sweet Maria’s.

Kenya Coffee

Coffee from Kenya has a distinctly bright acidity and potent sweetness with a dry winy aftertaste. Among the best Kenya coffee, one can find intoxicating black-currant flavor and aroma (Knox, 65).

Kenya Coffee: Producers and Exporters

Kenyan coffee beans are auctioned in Nairobi every Tuesday during harvesting season. This practice has lead to fierce price wars for the best coffee crops. A large percentage of coffee in Kenya is produced by small cooperative societies rather than large Kenya coffee estates. Kenyan coffee beans are wet-processed and the Kenyan coffee bean grade is designated by the size of the coffee bean, where AA is largest followed by A and B, which are successively smaller.

Ruiru 11 Hybrids and the Coffee Board of Kenya

The introduction of the disease resistant coffee, Ruiru 11, was developed at the Ruiru Coffee Research Station. This hybrid is causing concern among Kenyan coffee aficionados because it is supposed to lack some of the favourable flavor characteristics native to traditional cultivars. The Kenya Coffee Board is trying to promote the Ruiru 11 as a viable alternative, but its attempts have been overshadowed by rumors that Ruiru 11 tastes like low grade coffee from an entirely different country. Chemical testing should occur in the next several years to determine which, if any, components are absent and which components are producing off flavours.

For more information about Kenya coffee, visit Sweet Maria’s or Wikipedia.

Tanzania Coffee

Tanzanian coffee is somewhat similar to its Kenyan neighbor, but the consistency and quality of production is not as far advanced as Kenya’s.  Most of the Tanzanian Arabica coffee, such as the prized Tanzania peaberry coffee, is grown on Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru and is wet-processed. The coffee grading method is the same as Kenya where AA is the largest followed by A and B. The Tanzanian coffee bean is said to share the same sharp and winey acidity as African and Arabian coffees (Davids, 68). In general a good Tanzania coffee will have bright acidity and strong flavour.

For more information about Tanzania coffee, visit Sweet Maria’s.

Malawi Coffee

Often considered to lie in the shadow of good Kenyan coffee, Malawi coffee is smooth and full bodied. Since little Malawi coffee reaches the United States, grab some if you find it and compare it to both Kenyan and Tanzanian coffees.

Mzuzu Coffee is a coffee farmers trust consisting of shareholders in five regions in Malawi. Malawi mzuzu green coffee beans can be purchased online from several coffee import stores.

For more information about Malawian coffee beans, visit Coffeereview.com.

Happy drinking until next time!