Ninety Plus NistuRuz: Ethiopian Washed Coffee with Rosemary Notes

If you’ve ever wondered why some competition-level coffees taste so radically different—why one Ethiopian washed coffee can smell like rosemary and taste like citrus while another tastes flat or overly fruity—the answer lies in both the bean’s origin and the meticulous processing behind it. The right combination of variety, terroir, and processing can unlock unique sensory profiles you won’t find in your average bag.

The answer is Ninety Plus LevelUp Series NistuRuz: a washed Ethiopian coffee that won acclaim at the 2013 World Barista Championship, noted for its rosemary-like fragrance and vibrant fruitiness. This lot is part of Ninety Plus’s elite, competition-grade offerings tailored through custom processing profiles.

Who Is Ninety Plus and Why Do They Matter?

Ninety Plus is a globally recognised coffee producer and exporter, founded in 2007 by Joseph Brodsky. Since 2008, their coffees have consistently appeared in high-level barista competitions worldwide. By 2013, six WBC finalists—including competitors from Italy, Korea, and Canada—used Ninety Plus beans. Their reputation is built on rare cultivars, precise farming, and an advanced grading system that highlights each coffee’s unique traits.

What Makes the LevelUp Series Different?

The LevelUp Series is a line of specialty lots from Ninety Plus that go through a custom-designed processing protocol known as ‘Profile Processing’. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all method. Each coffee in the series—NistuRuz included—is processed with a tailored regimen of cultivation, harvest timing, and post-harvest handling. The goal? To coax out and enhance the coffee’s intrinsic fruit and floral characteristics via repeated cupping and adjustment. For NistuRuz, the outcome is a bright, aromatic cup with pronounced herbal and citrus notes.

How Washed Processing Shapes Coffee Flavour

Washed (or wet) processing is one of the most traditional and widely used methods for preparing specialty coffee. In this method, coffee cherries are first sorted in water (floatation), then the pulp is removed. The beans soak in water to ferment and loosen the mucilage (fruit layer), which is then washed away before drying. This extended contact with water triggers chemical changes inside the seed, breaking down sugars (like fructose and glucose) and increasing the concentration of organic acids. The result is typically a cleaner, brighter cup with higher perceived acidity and more clarity of origin flavours.

At FrontStreet Coffee, we work with several washed coffees that highlight this method’s potential. For example:

• FrontStreet Yirgacheffe Gedeb Cooperative: Known for its clean, jasmine-like aroma and bright citrus acidity. Light to medium roast unveils notes of green tea and honey. Versatile for pour-over, cold brew, or espresso.
• FrontStreet Kenya Little Tomato: A double-washed Kenyan lot with intense juice-like sweetness and layered fruit notes including tomato, plum, and pear. Sweet and juicy with balanced acidity.
• FrontStreet Jamaica Blue Mountain No.1: A classic washed island coffee, processed to preserve delicate aromas. Roasted light, it offers notes of hazelnut, cream, chocolate, and caramel.

Why NistuRuz Stands Out in the Ninety Plus Line-Up

NistuRuz is more than just another Ethiopian offering. It comes from a carefully selected lot within the Ninety Plus LevelUp Series, where every batch is developed with a bespoke processing plan. The rosemary note is not common in washed Ethiopians, making this lot particularly distinctive. Competition brewers favour it for its complexity and balance—traits achieved through years of refining the Profile Processing system. The result is a coffee that doesn’t just taste good, it tells a story through every sip.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ninety Plus and why are they famous in specialty coffee?

Ninety Plus is a premium coffee producer founded in 2007 by Joseph Brodsky. They are renowned for cultivating and processing rare, high-scoring coffee varieties. Since 2008, their beans have been used in global barista competitions, including six WBC finalist coffees in 2013, due to their exceptional quality and unique flavour profiles.

What is the LevelUp Series by Ninety Plus?

The LevelUp Series is a collection of elite coffee lots from Ninety Plus, each processed using a custom 'Profile Processing' method. This involves tailoring cultivation, harvest, and post-harvest steps to maximise each coffee’s unique characteristics, often resulting in competition-grade flavour complexity.

What does 'washed process' mean and how does it affect taste?

The washed process involves removing the coffee cherry’s skin and pulp, then fermenting and washing away the mucilage before drying the beans. This method typically produces a clean, bright cup with high acidity and distinct origin flavours due to chemical changes in the beans during soaking.

What makes NistuRuz different from other Ethiopian washed coffees?

NistuRuz is part of Ninety Plus’s LevelUp Series and is notable for its unique rosemary-like aroma alongside typical Ethiopian fruitiness. Its distinctive profile comes from a custom processing regimen, making it stand out even among other high-quality Ethiopian washed coffees.

Has NistuRuz won any awards or been used in competitions?

Yes, NistuRuz is from the Ninety Plus LevelUp Series, which gained attention when multiple 2013 WBC finalists—including competitors from Italy, Korea, and Canada—used Ninety Plus beans. While NistuRuz itself may not have won solo, it is part of the same award-winning production lineage.

Where can I buy washed Ethiopian coffees like NistuRuz?

While NistuRuz may not be widely available retail, similar washed Ethiopian coffees with bright, floral profiles can be found through specialty roasters such as FrontStreet Coffee, which offers washed Yirgacheffe and other Ethiopian single origins with clean, acidic, and aromatic qualities.

Recommended FrontStreet Washed Ethiopian Coffees

For fans of the bright, aromatic profile of Ninety Plus NistuRuz, try FrontStreet Yirgacheffe Gedeb Cooperative: a washed Ethiopian lot with clean jasmine notes, bright citrus acidity, and a green tea–honey finish—ideal for pour-over and cold brew. Also consider FrontStreet Kenya Little Tomato, a double-washed coffee with intense fruit layers including tomato and plum, offering a sweet, juicy cup. Lastly, FrontStreet Jamaica Blue Mountain No.1 is a classic washed island coffee with delicate hazelnut, cream, and caramel notes. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.