Buy Ethiopian Coffee Beans | Single Origin & Blends
At Roasted Record, we celebrate the world's most vibrant, flavorful, and best Ethiopian coffee beans through small-batch roasts. Some of the best and most distinctive brews come from Ethiopian coffee beans, one of the largest coffee producers in the world.
Ethiopia is known as the birthplace of coffee, and the country’s varied regions offer an extraordinary array of Ethiopian coffee beans that delight coffee enthusiasts with their unique flavors and aromas. Whether you're a coffee connoisseur or a curious sipper, discover what makes Ethiopian coffee special.
Characteristics of Ethiopian Coffee Beans
Ethiopian coffee beans are renowned for their diverse flavors, a testament to the country's rich coffee heritage. These are common tasting notes and styles you might encounter when sipping on a cup of Ethiopian coffee:
Floral and Fruity Notes: Ethiopian coffee often boasts bright, floral aromas with hints of jasmine, bergamot, and lavender. You'll also find vibrant fruity flavors, such as blueberry, strawberry, and citrus, adding a delightful sweetness to each sip.
Wine-like Acidity: One of the hallmark characteristics of Ethiopian coffee beans is its wine-like acidity. This lively acidity gives the coffee a crisp, refreshing quality, often reminiscent of fine wine.
Complexity and Balance: Coffee lovers celebrate Ethiopian coffee beans for their complex flavor profiles. You might experience a harmonious blend of sweet, sour, and savory notes, perfectly balanced to create a truly unique and enjoyable cup.
Natural and Washed Processing: The processing method plays a significant role in shaping the flavors of Ethiopian coffee beans. Natural (or dry) processed Ethiopian coffees tend to have a fuller body with pronounced fruity and wine-like notes. In contrast, washed (or wet) processed Ethiopian coffees are cleaner, with more pronounced floral and citrus flavors.
Ethiopian Coffee Traditions
Ethiopia's deep connection with coffee is rooted in centuries-old traditions and cultural practices. Ethiopia’s coffee heritage is rich in history, ceremonial preparation, and global influence.
The Birthplace of Coffee
The world widely regards Ethiopia as the birthplace of coffee. According to legend, a goat herder named Kaldi discovered coffee in the 9th century when he noticed his goats becoming energetic after eating fruit from a certain tree. This discovery eventually led to the cultivation and consumption of Ethiopian coffee, making it an integral part of the culture and economy.
Coffee in Ethiopian Culture
Coffee plays a central role in Ethiopian social and cultural life. Coffee from Ethiopia is more than just a beverage; it symbolizes hospitality and community.
The traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony is a cherished ritual that brings people together to share the experience of making and enjoying coffee. This ceremony is a time-honored tradition that involves roasting, grinding, and brewing Ethiopian coffee beans in a highly symbolic and communal process. Here's a brief overview of the steps involved (source: Emily Doyle):
- Roasting: Fresh green Ethiopian coffee beans are roasted over an open flame until they turn dark brown and aromatic. The wafting aroma of frankincense or other incense often accompanies the roasting process.
- Grinding: The roasted Ethiopian coffee beans are ground using a mortar and pestle, producing a coarse coffee powder.
- Brewing: Ground coffee is brewed in a traditional clay pot called a jebena. The Ethiopian coffee is slowly brought to a boil and then served in small, handleless cups known as sini.
- Serving: Ethiopian coffee is poured from a height to create a frothy top. Snacks such as popcorn, bread, or roasted barley accompany it. The ceremony often includes three rounds of coffee, each representing a spiritual aspect of community and togetherness.
Global Popularity of Ethiopian Coffee
Ethiopian coffee's unique flavors and rich cultural heritage have increased its popularity worldwide. As the specialty coffee movement gains momentum, coffee enthusiasts and connoisseurs seek Ethiopian coffee beans for their distinctive taste profiles and high quality. As the fifth-largest producer in the world, Ethiopian coffee has become a staple in coffee shops and households across the globe.
From its legendary origins to its oversized role in modern coffee culture, Ethiopian coffee continues to enchant and inspire. The traditions and techniques passed down through generations ensure that each cup of Ethiopian coffee reflects the country's deep-rooted coffee heritage.
Ethiopia Coffee Regions
The diverse Ethiopian coffee regions contribute to the kaleidoscope of flavor profiles from the country’s unique beans. Thanks to varying climates and processing methods, each Ethiopian coffee region produces beans with unique characteristics, making Ethiopian coffee a vibrant experience. Here are some of the most notable coffee regions in Ethiopia:
Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Coffee Beans
Yirgacheffe is one of Ethiopia's most famous coffee-growing regions, known for its exquisite washed coffees. We celebrate these Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee beans' bright acidity, floral aromas, and vibrant citrus and berry flavors. A cup of Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee often features a delicate and tea-like body, making it a favorite among coffee aficionados.
Ethiopian Sidamo Coffee Beans
The Sidamo region produces a wide range of coffee profiles but is particularly known for its full-bodied and complex Ethiopian Sidamo coffee beans. Ethiopian Sidamo coffee typically offers a rich, fruity flavor with notes of blueberry and a wine-like acidity. Coffee connoisseurs describe Ethiopian Sidamo coffee as having a smooth and well-rounded finish.
Ethiopian Harrar Coffee Beans
Harrar, located in the eastern highlands of Ethiopia, is renowned for its naturally processed coffees. Ethiopian Harrar coffee beans are known for their intense fruity flavors, including blueberry, apricot, and even hints of chocolate. The full-bodied and bold flavors make Ethiopian Harrar coffee a distinctive choice for those who enjoy a robust cup.
Ethiopian Guji Coffee Beans
The Guji region, located in the southern part of Ethiopia, produces some of the most sought-after coffees in the world. Ethiopian Guji Coffee Beans beans are known for their vibrant acidity, complex fruit flavors, and floral notes. Ethiopian Guji coffees often have a silky body and a lingering, sweet aftertaste.
Each of these Ethiopian coffee regions contributes to the country’s reputation as a coffee powerhouse, offering a variety of flavors and styles to suit every palate.
Buy Ethiopian Coffee Beans
Roasted Record takes pride in offering some of the finest Ethiopian coffee beans that capture the essence of this coffee-rich land. Our popular coffees featuring Ethiopian beans have gained a loyal following for their exceptional flavors and high-quality profiles.
The 33 Blend is a light-roast Ethiopian coffee with sweet notes of jam, blueberry, and baker’s chocolate. This is the perfect blend for coffee drinkers searching for bright flavor.
The 45 Blend: Medium Roast Blended Coffee is a harmonious fusion of Brazilian and Ethiopian coffees, crafted to deliver a medium-bodied cup with a distinctively velvety mouthfeel. This blend is cherished for its flavor notes of dark cherry and roasted cashew, making it an ideal choice for everyday coffee enthusiasts.
One of our best sellers, the Ethiopia Guji Natural Process Coffee, is a single-origin coffee grown by small outgrowers in the Guji region. This medium roast Ethiopian coffee is known for its flavors of strawberry, cocoa, and dried cherry, with a medium to full body.
This Ethiopian coffee features an extended roasting period that creates a jam-like sweetness to balance its natural acidity, making it an approachable entryway to more acidic coffees. The result is a beautifully complex coffee that presents wonderfully as a filter and espresso coffee.