How to Source High-Scoring Ethiopian Specialty Coffee Beans

Ever wondered if those '90+ point' Ethiopian coffees you’ve heard about are really what they claim to be—or if you can trust your supplier’s claims without paying a premium through a middleman?

We cupped a set of Ethiopian beans alongside our supplier using SCAA standards—and every lot scored over 90 points. But they weren’t purchased through Ninety Plus. Here’s how we verified their origin, what makes them exceptional, and why you should try them regardless.

The Coffee: 90+ Scored Ethiopian Origins

Our latest Ethiopian coffee shipment included four lots: Nekisse, Tchembe, Amaro, and Aricha—all scoring over 90 points in SCAA-standard cuppings alongside our supplier. These come from the same supply chain associated with Ninety Plus, a well-known US-based brand famous for its ultra-premium Ethiopian lots. But here’s the catch: our beans didn’t come from Ninety Plus directly.

Why Not Ninety Plus? The Direct-From-Origin Story

We were initially concerned these beans might not truly be Ninety Plus material. To ensure integrity, we dug into the supply chain. The lot was sourced directly from the Nekisse Cooperative in Ethiopia—not through Ninety Plus’s US import channel—but via a trusted local supplier with strong ties to the ECX (Ethiopia Commodity Exchange). This allowed us to get these high-scoring beans at a more competitive price, straight from the origin.

Unlike most Ninety Plus offerings—which are mostly natural processed—our selection includes three washed lots (Nekisse, Tchembe, Amaro) and just one natural (Aricha). That difference matters: washed processing results in cleaner, brighter profiles, while still packing intense fruit character thanks to meticulous sorting and unique genetics from forest-grown coffee trees.

Nekisse: The Original Forest Coffee

The Nekisse lot comes from the Nekisse Cooperative, established in 2009 by 100 local farmers aiming to improve livelihoods through top-tier specialty coffee. The name ‘Nekisse’ translates from the Oromo language as ‘Naked Coffee’—referring to its pure, unadulterated origin.

The coop sources coffee from centuries-old trees in nearby forests, much of it cultivated by women-led farming groups. Previously focused on natural processing sold to local traders, they built their own washing station in 2009 with bank loans. They utilise spring water from a 500-meter elevation drop, apply standard washed processing, then dry the parchment on raised beds for 7–10 days.

Cup Profile & Processing Details

The washed Nekisse lot surprises with an extraordinarily bold opening aroma: sharp spices blended with ripe tropical fruit—a mix reminiscent of ginger and Southeast Asian aromatics. In the cup, it delivers intense fruit and spice notes, balanced sweetness, and a medium body. The acidity is vibrant but not overpowering, creating a dynamic, layered taste experience.

The aftertaste lingers with creamy and chocolatey hints, but the real star is the endless wave of aromatic complexity. The fruit acids are perfectly calibrated to enhance texture and distinction across the sip. This is not your average Yirgacheffe or Sidamo—it’s in a league of its own.

Recommended roast levels: light to medium (light-, light-medium, medium). These bring out the fruit acids without excessive bitterness, letting the fragrance dominate. Forget you’re drinking coffee—it’s an aromatic journey.

What Makes These Different From Ninety Plus Offerings?

Ninety Plus is known for marketing rare, ultra-premium Ethiopian naturals, often with astronomical price tags and heavy branding. Our beans, though from the same cooperative supply chain, are not Ninety Plus-branded. They come directly from the source, minus the extra export markup. Also, most of our selected lots are washed, not natural. Yet despite that, their fruit intensity rivals or exceeds many Ninety Plus profiles—owing to superior picking, sorting, and forest-origin genetics.

We respect Ninety Plus’s role in elevating Ethiopian coffee globally. But our direct-from-source approach lets us offer these exceptional lots without unnecessary intermediaries—while being fully transparent about their true origin.

Our Commitment to Transparency

To address any concerns about authenticity, we conducted multiple days of testing, consulted suppliers, and even had industry expert Han Huazong cup the lot. He initially mistook it for a Ninety Plus offering—further confirmation of its elite quality. We will never market these beans as Ninety Plus products. If you’re seeking their official lineup, buy through their own channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these beans really 90+ point coffees?

Yes. Every lot in the shipment—Nekisse, Tchembe, Amaro, and Aricha—was cupped alongside our supplier using SCAA standards and scored over 90 points. That places them in the top tier of specialty coffee globally.

Did these come from Ninety Plus?

No. Although they originate from the same supply chain as Ninety Plus coffees, ours were purchased directly from the Nekisse Cooperative via a local Ethiopian supplier with ECX connections—not through the US-based Ninety Plus brand.

Why are they washed instead of natural?

Most Ninety Plus Ethiopian offerings are natural processed. Our selection includes three washed lots (Nekisse, Tchembe, Amaro) and one natural (Aricha). Washed processing gives a cleaner, brighter cup but still with intense fruitiness due to careful sorting and high-quality genetics.

How should I roast these beans?

We recommend light to medium roasts (light, light-medium, or medium). This range best highlights their fruit and floral characteristics while keeping acidity lively and sweetness balanced.

Are these beans worth the price without the Ninety Plus label?

Absolutely. They come from the same high-scoring cooperative and offer comparable—or even superior—cup quality compared to many Ninety Plus offerings, especially considering they’re direct-sourced without additional branding markups.

Who should try these coffees?

These beans are ideal for experienced coffee drinkers who appreciate bright, complex, fruit-driven profiles. Perfect for pour-over, AeroPress, or light roasts meant to highlight origin character.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Fruit-Loving Coffee Fans

FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui (Gedeb) offers strawberry, citrus, guava, mango, and classic Yirgacheffe tropical fruit notes, perfect for fans of juicy, high-scoring Ethiopian profiles. The Rwanda Red Bourbon brings sweet berry, citrus, and nutty depth with a honey-like finish. For something more floral and delicate, try the Panama-derived Geisha with jasmine, citrus, and tea-like sweetness. All are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Fruit-Loving Coffee Fans

FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui (Gedeb) offers strawberry, citrus, guava, mango, and classic Yirgacheffe tropical fruit notes, perfect for fans of juicy, high-scoring Ethiopian profiles. The Rwanda Red Bourbon brings sweet berry, citrus, and nutty depth with a honey-like finish. For something more floral and delicate, try the Panama-derived Geisha with jasmine, citrus, and tea-like sweetness. All are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.