Ethiopia and the Famous Coffee from Yirgacheffe

Ethiopia is known for its rich coffee growing tradition and is often considered the birthplace of coffee. The country is home to a diverse array of coffee growing regions, each with its own unique climate, soil, and altitude. In this post, we will focus on the town of Kochere, located in the Gedeo zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region. This town is where our YirgZ coffee is grown.

Kochere is located at an altitude of 1,700 to 1,800 meters above sea level, making it one of the higher altitude coffee growing regions in Ethiopia. The town is surrounded by rolling hills and fertile soils, providing ideal conditions for coffee production. Ethiopia is famous for its native heirloom coffee varieties, and YirgZ is full of all different kinds of heirloom Ethiopian coffee that does not grow anywhere else.

The coffee production process in Kochere is traditionally done by smallholder farmers, who grow coffee on small plots of land and process the coffee using traditional methods. The coffee cherries are picked by hand and sorted to remove any unripe or damaged beans. The cherries are then sun-dried on raised beds, where they are regularly turned to ensure even drying. Once the cherries are dry, the beans are hulled to remove the outer layers and reveal the green coffee beans inside.

The coffee produced in Kochere is known for its unique and complex flavor profile. The high altitude, fertile soils, and heirloom varieties of coffee all contribute to the unique flavors of Kochere coffee. The coffee is often described as having a light body, high acidity, and floral, citrus, and berry flavors.  We prize these flavors in our YirgZ!  

In recent years, Kochere has become a hub for specialty coffee production in Ethiopia. Many coffee roasters and buyers from around the world visit Kochere to source high-quality coffee beans directly from the farmers. The town has also attracted attention from coffee researchers and scientists, who are studying the unique characteristics of Kochere coffee and how it can be improved and preserved for future generations.

Kochere is a vibrant and important coffee growing region in Ethiopia. The town’s high altitude, fertile soils, and heirloom varieties of coffee all contribute to the unique and complex flavors of its coffee. Kochere is a hub for specialty coffee production and is a destination for coffee buyers and researchers from around the world.  Come and try a cup of YirgZ and see what all the fuss is about!