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| Drying beans in Ethiopia |
Ethiopia is the home of the coffee plant. This is the country where it originated - the legend tells the story of a farmer, Kaldi, who noticed his goats becoming more lively after eating the plant.
The Limu region of Ethiopia, along with Harar, Sidamo, and Yirgacheffe, is one of the known regions of Ethiopia producing characterful beans. Some people feel the character is due to the beans growing among other plants, such as bananas, and so picks up extra flavours; others feel that because the beans are rounder than normal they may have the characteristics of a peaberry, and therefore be brighter and more flavoursome; others feel that the height at which the beans are grown - 1,400 to 1,900 metres above sea level, is the ideal height to produce the right balance of acidity and body. Whatever it is, the beans are sold at a premium, and are increasingly sought after. I love them.
The Sidamo region is one of the named regions that can command a higher price from buyers. The prominent flavour of Sidamo coffee is generally found to be citrus. Though Fair Trade agreements are being set up for farmers in Sidamo, they still struggle in primitive conditions, and when coffee prices are low, will change their crop to khat, an addictive stimulant. Unwashed or natural or dry processed Sidamo beans have a wild flavour.
Ethiopia produces some of my favourite coffees. I'm not fond of highly acidic coffees, nor do I like coffees to be roasted beyond recognition - I like a coffee that has a blend of coffee roast flavours and refreshingly fruity acid. A balance of character and drinkability engages my interest. I like a smooth, pleasant mouthful of flavoursome coffee which also has subtle notes for me to pick up as I drink.
Ethiopian coffees tend to be sold with either a medium to dark roast, UK strength number 4, or a lighter medium roast, UK strength 3.
Reviews
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| Asda Extra Special Ethiopian Mocha Limu Score: 8 |
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Score: 8 Price: £4.50 for 227g
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| Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Sidoma Ethiopian Score: 7 |
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| Aldi Ethiopia Sidoma Score: 6 |
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| Union Hand-roasted Coffee Organic Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Cost: £4.75 Score: 6 |
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| Morrisons Signature Ethiopian coffee Score: 5 |
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| Carrefour Ethiopia coffee Score: 4 |
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| The Little Red Rooster Ethiopian Shakisso Farm Yirgacheffe £6.50 for 250g. Score: 2 |
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| Waitrose Mocha Sidamo Coffee
Score: 2/10
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| Three Sixty Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Score: 2 |
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| Lidl Specially Selected Ethiopian Score: 2 |
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| Lidl Melangerie Ethiopian Sidamo Score: 2 |
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