Sidama

Sidama coffee comes from a mosaic of highland districts south of Addis Ababa. With altitudes ranging from 1,600 to 2,100 meters and a patchwork of microclimates, Sidama is known for its breadth of flavor. Gentle slopes, cool nights, and steady rainfall produce coffees with layered sweetness and lively acidity. From citrus-bright lots in the east to stone-fruit sweetness in the central hills, Sidama offers remarkable diversity.

Smallholder Farmers and Agroforestry

Most Sidama coffee farms are tiny plots—often less than a hectare—managed as agroforestry gardens. Shade trees and enset protect the coffee plants, while families carefully hand-pick ripe cherries. Farmers deliver their harvests to local collection sites, which feed into cooperative or privately run washing stations. This community-based processing is one reason Sidama coffees are consistently balanced and high quality.

Washed Process – Clarity and Poise

In the washed process, cherries are floated for quality selection and pulped. The parchment ferments for 24–48 hours, sometimes followed by a short soak. After washing and grading, it dries on raised African beds until stable. The result is a poised and refreshing cup, with:

  • Mandarin and lime
  • Apricot and nectarine
  • Cane sugar sweetness
  • A soft, sweet-tea finish

This style is classic Sidama: clean, bright, and elegant.

Natural Process – Fruit and Depth

The natural (sun-dried) process highlights a different side of Sidama coffee. Whole cherries are carefully sorted and dried on raised beds for 15–25 days. This brings out:

  • Ripe red-berry character
  • Tropical hints
  • Cocoa undertones

Handled well, Sidama naturals are plush yet tidy—juicy and fruit-forward without muddiness.

Why Roasters Love Sidama Coffee

Both washed and natural Sidama coffees show why this origin remains a roaster favorite worldwide:

  • Approachable structure
  • Generous sweetness
  • Versatility in blends or as single origins

Sidama offers clarity and lift in washed lots, and rich fruit depth in naturals—always harmonious, always sweet, and unmistakably Ethiopian.

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