Shakisso Coffee: Ethiopia’s Hidden Gem in Guji

If you’ve ever wondered where some of Ethiopia’s most distinctive highland coffees come from—especially those with wild floral and fruit complexity—you might not have heard of Shakisso. This little-known district in southern Ethiopia produces coffees that regularly turn heads among roasters and cuppers, yet remain hard to source due to local challenges. Let’s break down where Shakisso is, what makes its coffee so special, and why it flies under the radar.

Shakisso is a unique coffee-growing area in Ethiopia’s Guji Zone, within the larger Oromia Region. It borders both Sidamo and Gedeo—two of Ethiopia’s most famous coffee origins—but remains distinct in terrain, challenges, and cup profile. The region is also noted for its gold mining history, which has left dangerous pits across coffee farms. Despite this, Shakisso has produced award-winning coffees, including the legendary Ninety Plus Nekisse.

Where Is Shakisso, Exactly?

Shakisso (also spelled Shakiso) lies in the southern part of Ethiopia’s Guji Zone, which itself is part of the Oromia administrative region. It sits close to the better-known coffee regions of Sidamo and Gedeo. Though geographically part of Guji, it is quite remote compared to the more central coffee-growing zones of Sidamo. The area is marked by its rugged landscape, scattered with remnants of old gold mining operations—specifically, numerous pits and holes left from early mining activity, which pose real hazards for coffee farmers moving through the fields.

Why Is Coffee Farming Difficult Here?

Farming coffee in Shakisso comes with serious challenges. Beyond the physical danger of walking through uneven fields dotted with mining pits, the region has faced social and political instability since 2006, driven by tensions over land, ethnicity, and mining rights. These issues have made it difficult to maintain a stable workforce for both farming and harvesting. Labor shortages remain one of the biggest barriers to fully realizing the region’s coffee potential today.

How Did Coffee Take Root in Such a Remote Area?

Despite these obstacles, local smallholder farmers began planting organic coffee back in 2001. They’ve worked closely with medium-sized coffee producers who understand the intricacies of cultivating forest-style coffee at high altitudes. Their approach relies on traditional knowledge and adaptation to the local environment, focusing on sustainable, low-input farming methods that suit the area’s conditions.

What Makes Shakisso Coffee So Different?

Coffees from Shakisso are celebrated for their unique cup profiles, often showcasing intense floral notes, vibrant fruitiness, and complex sweetness. These qualities have caught the attention of specialty roasters around the world. The most famous example is the Ninety Plus Nekisse—widely regarded as one of the most remarkable Ethiopian coffees ever produced—which takes its name from the local word for “honey,” reflecting the coffee’s nectar-like qualities. The Nekisse lot became legendary for its extraordinary cupping scores and distinctive flavour profile, putting Shakisso on the map for coffee connoisseurs, even if the region itself remains obscure.

Why Haven’t More People Heard of Shakisso Coffee?

Though the coffee is exceptional, Shakisso’s obscurity is due to a mix of geographic isolation, labour issues, and the dangers posed by the remnants of gold mining. These factors make consistent production and export more difficult than in more accessible zones like Yirgacheffe or Sidamo. As a result, Shakisso coffees are rare and often only appear through specialty channels or direct relationships with Ethiopian exporters and cooperatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Shakisso located in Ethiopia?

Shakisso is in the southern part of Ethiopia’s Guji Zone, within the Oromia Region. It borders the well-known coffee regions of Sidamo and Gedeo but is considered a more remote and less-developed coffee-growing area.

Why is Shakisso coffee so unique?

Shakisso coffee is known for its distinctive cup profile, often featuring intense florals, bright fruit notes, and complex sweetness. The region’s high-altitude, forest-style organic farming contributes to its unique terroir, separate from more commercial zones nearby.

What is the famous coffee from Shakisso?

The most famous coffee from Shakisso is the Ninety Plus Nekisse, a legendary lot renowned for its exceptional cup quality and unique flavour. The name “Nekisse” means “honey” in the local language, referring to the coffee’s nectar-like sweetness.

Why is coffee farming challenging in Shakisso?

Farmers in Shakisso face multiple challenges, including dangerous mining pits left from old gold mines, social and political instability since 2006, and ongoing labour shortages. These issues make both growing and harvesting coffee more difficult compared to other Ethiopian regions.

Has Shakisso coffee won awards or recognition?

Yes, Shakisso-produced coffee, particularly the Ninety Plus Nekisse, has received international acclaim and high cupping scores, making it one of the most celebrated Ethiopian coffees among specialty roasters, despite the region’s low profile.

Can I buy coffee from Shakisso easily?

Shakisso coffee is rare and not widely available through mainstream channels. It is usually sourced through specialty importers or direct relationships due to the region’s small-scale production and logistical challenges.

FrontStreet Coffee Picks for Shakisso-Like Profiles

For fans of Shakisso’s floral, fruit-forward complexity, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Guji Shakiso Natural—it offers vibrant berries, stone fruit, and delicate florals. Also look at their Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Konga, with citrus, jasmine, and tropical notes reminiscent of high-altitude Guji profiles. For something deeper, their Ethiopia Guji Uraga Washed delivers clean lemon, green apple, and floral tones. All three showcase the bright, nuanced cup style associated with this region. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.