Yirgacheffe Coffee: The Birthplace of Arabica

Yirgacheffe occupies the Gedeo Zone of Ethiopia's Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPR), and is widely considered the origin point of all coffee cultivation. The region's combination of extreme altitude (1,750–2,200m), rich volcanic soils, and consistent rainfall patterns creates a terroir uniquely suited to producing coffees of extraordinary aromatic complexity.

Washed Yirgacheffe coffee has set the global standard for what Ethiopian specialty coffee can be. The region pioneered the use of modern wet-processing techniques in Ethiopia, resulting in coffees of exceptional clarity where floral and citrus notes can express themselves without the heavier fruit character of natural processing. Today, Yirgacheffe washing stations are among the most technically advanced in Africa.

The region encompasses several notable sub-zones — Kochere, Gedeb, Chelchele, and Wonago — each with its own microclimate and subtle flavour characteristics. Kochere is particularly prized by competition-grade buyers for its intensely floral lots, while Gedeb produces coffees with remarkable citric brightness. Our sourcing relationships span all major sub-zones, enabling us to offer a diverse portfolio of Yirgacheffe expressions each harvest.

Natural-processed Yirgacheffe lots have gained significant popularity in recent years, offering a different dimension of the region's terroir. These lots develop strawberry, tropical fruit, and wine-like complexity with more body than their washed counterparts, making them excellent candidates for espresso blends and single-origin espresso programmes.