Distinctive, rich, winy, fragrant, and flowery characteristics of Ethiopian Coffees

As I mentioned in my last article, Ethiopia was once the Kingdom of Aksum. This powerful empire extended across portions of present-day Eritrea, northern Ethiopia, Yemen, Southern Saudi Arabia, Northern Djibouti, and northern Sudan, known to the Greeks, Romans, and Persian empires for their mighty economic strength. Aksum's economic strength and wealth were due exclusively to trade.  Commerce was the main reason that propelled them to evolve to become one of the most extraordinary powers of their time. This can safely be attributed to its proximity to the Red Sea and its trade routes, making it accessible for them to facilitate the growing demands of both the Greeks and Romans for African goods.  One of Axum's most coveted exports was elephant ivory, which was a highly sought-after commodity in the Mediterranean, Persia, Turkey, and Levant.

 Aksumite traders established far-reaching caravans that would travel into the African interior to procure more ivory. As Axum was located at key crossroads for trade traffic, it only sped up its prosperity. In time, Axum became the hotbed for a rising civilization with a unique character fed by a proper amalgam of indigenous African cultures infused with South Arabian character, as well as plenty of influences from the classical world of the Mediterranean.

Today, Aksum's export is coffee.   Ethiopian coffees are amongst the world's best.  All displaying the winy or fruity acidity characteristics of African and Arabian coffees. Yirgachefffe's coffees are one of the most well-known of all Ethiopian coffees.   I must point out that its acidity vibrates inside the richness of the body and a fragrant, flowery note so distinctive, which is why it is the most unique among the world's coffee. 

In Ethiopia, the most well-known coffee cultivation regions are located in Sidamo, Yirgaacheffe, Harrar, Djmah, and Ghimbi. 

The Harrar coffees are the most widely available of Ethiopian coffees.  They are grown on small farms in the Eastern part of the country near Harrar's old capital at about 5,000 to 6,000 feet above sea level.

Ethiopian Harrar can range from an extremely rough, winy coffee, and light-bodied to a rich, fragrant, fruit-like, and body heavier coffee. Washed coffees of Southern Ethiopia, usually sold as Gimbi or Gimbi, share the same winy notes profiles as Harrar.  Then there is Sidamo.  These are famous coffees with the same gentle winy notes as their compatriots yet distinctly fruit-like and flowery. You can only find these at specialty stores. 

At NoirePack, Sailor's Brew Coffee and Boon Boona Coffee both specialize in Ethiopian coffee.  Both Sailor's Brew Coffee and Boon Boona Coffee source their green beans from the Ethiopian regions of Sidamo and Yirgacheffe.   Two great Black-Owned Coffee brands which will guarantee will make your mornings right.