Yirgacheffe

Yirgacheffe coffee comes from Ethiopia’s Gedeo Zone, a high, cool plateau famous for its unique terroir. Coffee trees grow under the shade of enset, acacia, and native forests. Altitudes range between 1,800–2,200 meters, with red, well-drained soils, misty mornings, and bright afternoons that slow cherry maturation. This environment allows heirloom Ethiopian varieties such as Wolisho, Dega, and Kurume to thrive, producing the floral and citrus notes that made Yirgacheffe world-famous.

Smallholder Farmers and Garden Plots

Most Yirgacheffe coffee farms are tiny “garden” plots surrounding family homes. Smallholders intercrop food staples with coffee, hand-pick only ripe cherries throughout the season, and deliver them to nearby community washing stations. Yields are modest, but quality remains exceptional thanks to careful, traditional farming methods.

Washed Process – Floral Elegance

At the washing station, fresh cherry is floated for density and pulped on disc pulpers. For the washed process, parchment ferments in tiled tanks for about 24 hours. After washing through graded channels, clean parchment is dried on raised African beds for 10–14 days. The result is the classic Yirgacheffe profile:

  • Aroma: jasmine and bergamot
  • Flavor: lemon zest, white peach
  • Structure: sleek, tea-like body with a long, clean finish

Natural Process – Fruit-Forward Sweetness

For the natural (sun-dried) process, whole cherries are carefully sorted and laid on raised beds for 18–25 days, turned often for even drying. This method preserves sugars and concentrates fruit flavors. Expect:

  • Perfume of strawberry and blueberry
  • Honey-like sweetness
  • Lilac florals over a silky body
  • Clean, fruit-forward character rare in natural coffees

The Signature of Yirgacheffe Coffee

Together, these washed and natural lots express Yirgacheffe’s signature:

  • Washed – luminous floral elegance, citrus brightness, refined structure
  • Natural – fruit-forward sweetness, rich aromatics, silky balance

This dual expression makes Yirgacheffe one of the most sought-after Ethiopian specialty coffees, loved by roasters and coffee enthusiasts worldwide.

Request a quote