Introduction to the varieties of coffee beans produced by grinding scale in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, coffee classification and quality control systems are divided into producer, regional and national levels. All coffees are inspected by local inspection agencies before they leave the country of origin, and then re-inspected at coffee inspection and grading centres in Addis and Diredova to determine their quality grade. Grading coffee before auction and sale is important for all groups involved in production, acquisition, export and consumption. Before export, coffee must also be sent to a national quality control agency for inspection to confirm that origin, color, etc. meet export standards to ensure the reputation of Ethiopian coffee.

At present, Ethiopia's coffee grading and quality control system mainly has two indicators: visual inspection and cup evaluation. The inspection items include color, cleanliness, origin, taste and characteristics of coffee beans. Export classification is indicated by simple numbers, with the best washed coffee being grade 5 and the best sun-cured coffee being grade 4. After classification, the origin can be exported. Usually exports are paid by letter of credit, which can reduce the risk of collection by exporters and give quality assurance to importers.

By law, all coffee must be sold through auctions held in Addis Ababa and Diredava. During the coffee harvest season, such auctions are even held twice a day.

Coffee outlet

Coffee is Ethiopia's most important export cash crop and the main source of foreign exchange earnings. Ethiopia's coffee exports account for about 3% of the world market share, making it the eighth largest coffee exporter in the world. Coffee exports increased steadily from 58,000 tons in 1990-1991 to 110,000 tons in 1995 - 1996 and remained at that level for the next few years. Export volume exceeded 110,000 tons in 2001 - 2002 and reached 127,000 tons in 2002 - 2003. The decade-long decline in coffee prices on the international market has seriously affected Ethiopia's foreign exchange earnings. Coffee exports accounted for more than half of Ethiopia's foreign exchange earnings before coffee prices dropped sharply, but now they account for only about 35 percent. However, coffee prices began to recover in 2002, rising from 41 cents per pound in September 2001 to 52 cents per pound in 2002 and 59.7 cents per pound in 2003, according to the International Coffee Organization. The average price in March 2004 was 60.8 cents per pound, a 50 per cent increase from September 2001. This is great news for Ethiopia.

Ethiopian people are addicted to coffee. In 2003, domestic consumption accounted for 42.3% of the total output, with an average consumption of 3 kg per capita. But more than half of coffee production is exported each year to earn foreign exchange. Major exporting countries include: the United States, Italy, Britain, Sweden, Norway, Greece, France, Belgium, Germany and Australia.

Until 1974, coffee production, processing and trading were in private hands. Private farms were nationalized and smallholder coffee producers neglected during the military regime. In 1991, the Transitional Government of Ethiopia enacted a new economic policy to encourage private coffee exports. As a result, the number of private coffee exporters has increased dramatically. Nearly 90% of coffee exports are now controlled by private exporters.

Characteristics of Ethiopian Coffee

The natural characteristics of coffee beans include size, shape, acidity, texture, taste and aroma. Ethiopia's coffee beans are small, fragrant, and have the same acidity as wine, which is loved by coffee lovers. Due to its unique aroma and taste, Ethiopian coffee is often used in the production and variety improvement of beverages, ice cream and confectionery.

Ethiopia's Yirgacheffe coffee is petite, but gentle and sweet. As the home of coffee, Ethiopia's millennia of growing and processing traditions have resulted in high-quality washed Arabica beans. Light baked with unique lemon, floral and honey sweet aromas, soft fruit acids and citrus notes, fresh and bright taste. No milk, no sugar, let the rich texture and unique soft floral brush your taste buds, leaving endless aftertaste…

Yegashefi is a small town, 700-2100 meters above sea level, synonymous with Ethiopian fine coffee. It is a wetland since ancient times, and the old saying "Yirga" means "settle down" and "Cheffe" means "wetland". The way coffee is produced and the flavor is so prominent that Ethiopian coffee farmers compete to be proud of their coffee with Yegashfi flavor, which has become Africa's most famous coffee producing area.

At first, the coffee trees in Yegashefi were planted by European monks, but later by farmers or cooperatives. Yegashefi is actually formed by surrounding coffee communities or cooperatives, which generally include: Hafusa, Hama, and Biloa.