Limu Coffee: Ethiopia's Balanced & Versatile Origin

Altitude:1,400–2,000 m
Region:Jimma Zone, Oromia
SCA Range:84–86
Process:Washed & Natural
Harvest:Oct–Jan

Where Is the Limu Coffee Region?

Limu is a coffee-growing region in the Jimma Zone of western Oromia, Ethiopia, at 1,400–2,000 metres altitude. It produces balanced, honey-sweet coffees scoring 84–86 SCA. Washed lots offer mild citrus and spice; naturals develop wine-like and dried-fruit complexity. Excellent value for specialty roasters.

Limu is located in the Jimma Zone of western Oromia, one of Ethiopia's most productive agricultural regions. Coffee has been cultivated here for centuries, benefiting from fertile soils, moderate rainfall, and altitudes between 1,400 and 2,000 metres. The region produces coffees that are consistently balanced, clean, and approachable — qualities that make Limu a versatile origin for a wide range of roasting and brewing applications.

Unlike the more intense flavour profiles of Guji and Yirgacheffe, Limu offers a softer, more rounded cup. Honey sweetness, mild citrus, and gentle spice notes characterise the washed lots, while natural-processed coffees develop wine-like and dried-fruit complexity. This balance makes Limu an excellent choice for roasters seeking a crowd-pleasing Ethiopian coffee that doesn't polarise.

The region's cooperative infrastructure is well-established, with several longstanding cooperatives that have invested in processing quality over the past decade. This has resulted in improved consistency and cleaner cups across the board. Limu also offers strong value for its quality level — competitive pricing combined with reliable supply makes it an attractive option for building volume programmes.

Flavour Profile Comparison

Washed Limu

Balanced & Sweet

  • Honey
  • Mild citrus
  • Spice
  • Clean finish
BodyMedium
FinishClean & Smooth
Natural Limu

Wine-Like & Fruity

  • Dried fruit
  • Wine-like
  • Chocolate
  • Brown sugar
BodyMedium-Full
FinishSweet & Round

Key Origin Data

RegionJimma Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia
Altitude Range1,400 – 2,000 metres above sea level
Typical SCA Score84 – 86 points
Processing MethodsWashed, Natural
Harvest SeasonOctober – January
Available Bag Sizes30 kg, 60 kg (GrainPro lined)
Export GradeG2 (Specialty)
Certifications AvailableOrganic, Fairtrade

Traceability & Documentation

Every Limu lot includes full traceability: cooperative or washing station name, GPS coordinates, altitude, harvest date, processing method, and SCA cupping report. EUDR-compliant documentation available.

Request Traceability Documentation

Commercial Information

Minimum Order

1 bag (60 kg) for sample orders; 10 bags (600 kg) for commercial shipments

Incoterms

FOB Djibouti, CIF major ports worldwide

Lead Time

4–6 weeks from order confirmation to vessel loading

Lot Sizes

Typically 30–200 bags per lot

Request a Limu Sample

Limu lots available from the 2024/2025 harvest. Free cupping sample dispatched within 3 business days.

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Limu Coffee FAQ

Explore Other Ethiopian Origins

Yirgacheffe

Floral, bergamot, lemon zest

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Kaffa

Earthy, wild forest, full-bodied

SCA 83–86View Origin →