The production of coffee in Ethiopia has a long history dating back hundreds of years. Ethiopia is the place where the coffee plant, Coffea arabica, was first cultivated. In this post, we are going to share our list of best Ethiopian coffee beans that you should not miss!
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Best Ethiopian Coffee Beans
1 Fresh Roasted Coffee
These coffee beans come from southern Ethiopia, Guji. The beans in this particular lot are lightly roasted, and they brew up in a very flavorful cup with hints of blueberry. Coffee beans that are grown at higher altitudes tend to produce better beans and these coffee beans are grown at a height of 5,900 to 6550 feet above sea level. These Arabica coffee beans grows slowly at altitude, soaking up more nutrients in acidic soil, which allows it to develop more flavor. You can expect earthy, fruity flavors from this popular blend. A USDA Certified company, Fresh Roasted Coffee also uses sustainably sourced coffee beans that are Fair Trade certified. Whole beans are available in 2 or 5 pounds bags. 12 pounds bags come in whole beans or ground. This is definitely a coffee worth trying if you are looking for a high-quality, single-origin, organic coffee beans that has a unique taste without any added preservatives.
2 Barbarossa Coffee
Our next tantalizing choice comes from Ethiopia’s Yirgacheffe region. Known to produce some of the best Ethiopian coffee beans, these beans are described as having a rich chocolate flavor with citric, nutty and floral notes. In the morning air, we can just about smell that first cup, with its pleasant greeting. This medium, light roast coffee beans are great for pour over coffee. Barrarossa Coffee is a single origin coffee that is responsibly sourced, roasted, and packaged. It comes in bags of 12 pounds. This tempting selection promises a refreshing treat, and the chance to experience Ethiopian coffee at its best, with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
3 Red Bay Kings
Prize Coffee from the Red Bay Kings utilizes coffee beans from the renowned Yirgacheffe and Djimma regions. The earth friendly packaging of this roaster is easily recognized. They supply their products in resealable, recyclable, and earth friendly pouches. Red Bay Kings Prize believes in trading directly with the coffee farmers, and is proud of its cultural and social diversity. Red Bay Kings Prize beans are sourced responsibly and are of high quality. This roaster has won multiple awards at the Golden Bean North America which is one of the world’s largest coffee roasters competitions. There’s no doubt that you will enjoy Red Bay’s delicious products. In the case of Djimma grown coffee, the flavours such as white peach, honeysuckle and melon are intense and meant for the more refined palate. This medium roasted coffee whole beans are single origin and is freshly roasted to order.
4 Coffee Bean Direct
Decaf coffee drinkers must try Coffee Bean Direct’s light roast Ethiopian decaf coffee beans. It is much less expensive than other brands, which makes Coffee Bean Direct a popular choice. Their whole beans are lightly roasted and come in 5-pound bags. This coffee is very versatile. It can be used with drip coffee makers, French presses, pour-overs, percolators, and reusable coffee pods. This selection features fruity aromas and tastes with mild acidity, like most Ethiopian coffees. The coffee beans are also roasted to order at Coffee Bean Direct.
5 La Colombe Ethiopia
The Ethiopian version of La Colombe combines subtle, yet complementary flavors, resulting in a stunning citrus, peach and vanilla concoction that will keep you coming back for more. To ensure that only the best beans go into creating this product, La Colombe Ethiopia beans are fully washed and triple inspected for imperfections. Whole bean coffee is available in a 12 ounces bag and is medium roasted.
6 Rhoads Roast Coffees
This is a medium-dark roast that is more elegant. With its floral, wine-like overtones, Rhoades Roast Ethiopian coffee has a relaxed, smooth taste. This full bodied coffee is rich in colour and flavor and is ideal for coffee lovers. These coffee beans are obtained from the Yirgacheffe region and are wet processed. To create a superior flavor, the beans ferment over 72 hours to absorb sugar from the coffee fruit. Rhoades Roast Coffee is a medium roast whole bean coffee available in packages of three, five, ten and fifteen pounds. Roasting occurs in the morning and shipping occurs in the afternoon, which ensures freshness upon delivery.
7 Volcanica Coffee Company
This coffee lover’s dream is filled with a lot of wonderful attributes. These 100% organic Arabica bean are grown in coffee farms in the Yirgacheffe region. With earthy aromas and hints of cinnamon and ripe strawberries, the fragrance is pleasantly addictive. Using dry processing, this bean is robust, level-bodied, and only needs a medium roast to gain even more poise and demand to be noticed and devoured. Aside from the dark chocolate scent and taste, this bean has pineapple, guava, and lavender tastes. It comes as whole bean and packed in 16 ounces bags.
8 Coopers Coffee Company
It might be enough to entice you to purchase this merchandising display just by looking at its bold contemporary packaging. If you take a good look under the wrapping, you’ll find a strong coffee, jam packed with indulgences that may make you weak in the knees. Your senses will be overwhelmed by the intense fragrance profiles of honey and lemon. Roasted light, the Ethiopian blend by Coopers Coffee Company is pleasingly punchy. Beans from Goma are 100% single origin, sourced through Direct Trade to assure farmers receive better rates for their beans, effectively supporting local economies and fostering future partnerships. The coffee is also roasted in smaller batches to preserve freshness and is available in 12 ounces bags.
9 Royal Beans
Our final pick on our list is one that, as its name suggests, is fit for a king. This coffee is made from 100% Arabica beans and is roasted to a medium roast. Upon tasting, you’ll find a harmonious balance of black currant, wine, and blueberry flavors, followed by a chocolaty aftertaste. The Royal Beans’ are available as whole coffee beans and packed in 16 ounces bags. These coffee beans are sourced from the Harrar region, which is located between 1300 and 4264 feet above the sea level.
Ethiopian Coffee Beans FAQs
Does the Ethiopian bean grown in different regions differ from one another?
Ethiopia’s primary coffee-growing regions are Yirgacheffe, Jimma, Sidamo, Harrar and Limmu. Each region has its own distinctive coffee profile. Typically, sidamo beans are spicy and citric in taste. Yurgacheffe beans can have a range of flavors, such as jasmine, lemon berry, and wine. Jamma beans can also have nutty and wine flavors. Limmu beans exhibit notes of spice, wine, and floral overtones, while Harrar beans impart hints of fruity, floral, and specifically blackberry flavors. Tastes may also differ depending on several factors. Among the factors that contribute to the intensity of these flavors are the growing methods, the washing and drying techniques, as well as climate.
How is wet processing done?
When coffee fruit is wet processed, the outer layer is removed and the beans are prepared for fermentation. As the beans ferment, the mucilage layer surrounding the seeds inside the beans will break down. This step is followed by drying. This can either be done using the sun, or with the help of heated cylinders.
How does washed coffee differ from unwashed coffee?
In natural methods, the whole coffee fruit is dried before it is extracted and no layers are removed separately, nor is fermentation required. The beans of washed coffee are generally considered to be of higher quality and have a better flavor. To achieve the desired result, the process is more labor-intensive and requires a greater amount of water and machinery. The natural method is generally easier, but results in a taste that is lighter, smoother, and subtler.
What makes Ethiopian coffee different from Colombian or Guatemalan coffee?
There are many factors that contribute to the differences between these coffees. Location is the most obvious difference among these three. A coffee’s final quality is influenced by the climate, the soil, the growing methods, and the harvesting methods. The Colombian coffee beans are typically sweet and less acidic, and has nutty and chocolaty notes. Guatemalan coffee beans are characterized by its sweetness and tartness, combined with fruity aromas. When comparing the flavor profile with other coffee beans, Ethiopian coffee are regarded as having the most complex of all of them. The rounded flavors of Ethiopian coffee are enhanced by the floral, fruity overtones, making it one of the best in the world.
Which is the best Ethiopian Coffee Beans?
This introduction to Ethiopian coffee has probably got you itching to try some of these coffee beans, and experience the unique flavor profiles it has to offer. We hope that these ideas have inspired you and that you now have found your favourite among this list of the best Ethiopian coffee beans.
