Introduction to the planting situation and flavor and taste characteristics of estates in Ethiopian coffee producing areas

Ethiopia is one of the major producers of Arabica coffee in Africa, producing the best Arabian coffee in the world. It is said that coffee was first discovered by shepherds in Essekafa, and the name of coffee evolved from Kafa, so Essex is still the hometown of coffee.

Production and processing of coffee

Ethiopia's geographical environment is very suitable for coffee growth. Coffee is mainly grown in the southern highlands between 1100 and 2300 meters above sea level. The main coffee producing areas are Harar, Limu, Djimma, Sidamo, Kaffa, Yergacheffe and Wellega. The soil in these areas is well drained, slightly acidic and red loose.

Ethiopian coffee is harvested once a year. The beautiful white coffee flowers bloom from March to April, and then the fruit begins to grow. From September to December, the red coffee fruit is ripe for picking. The new season of coffee begins to be exported from November to December.

At present, about 25% of the Ethiopian population directly or indirectly depends on coffee production for a living. The majority of farmers use traditional planting methods. Artificial care of coffee trees, the use of organic fertilizers, do not use harmful pesticides and herbicides, etc. Therefore, most of the coffee produced by Ethiopia is organic coffee.

Due to different planting methods, coffee can be divided into three types: forest-semi-forest coffee (Forest or semi-forest coffee), courtyard coffee (Garden coffee) and plantation coffee (Plantation coffee).

60% of the coffee belongs to forest-semi-forest coffee. In such a wild coffee forest, pesticides are not used at all, but biological methods are used to control pests.

35% of the coffee is courtyard coffee. In this kind of coffee garden, the planting is three-dimensional. Coffee is located in the lower layer and gets a suitable growth environment in the shade of other crops. Fertilizers are mainly fallen leaves, withered grass and animal manure.

5% of the coffee belongs to plantation coffee. This is a modern way of growing. Coffee is also grown in a forest, but new varieties are used and planted in rows with other shade trees.

Due to different processing methods, coffee can be divided into washed coffee (Washed coffee) and sun-cured coffee (Sun-dried coffee).

Washed coffee accounts for 35% of exports. Good quality washed coffee is processed with freshly picked fully ripe fruit, picked carefully and closely monitored by professionals. The picked clean coffee beans are pulped on the day of picking, then fermented, washed, dried and peeled. The humidity of processed coffee beans is kept at about 12%.

Sun-cured coffee accounts for 65% of exports. Mainly picked by families, red coffee beans are placed on cement floors or on high tables to dry to about 11.5% humidity, then peeled and cleaned.

Grading and quality control system of coffee

In Ethiopia, the grading and quality control system of coffee is divided into three levels: producer, regional and national. All coffee is inspected by local inspection agencies before leaving the country of origin, and then re-tested at the coffee inspection and grading centers in Addis and Diredawa to determine its quality grade. Coffee is graded before auction and sale and 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 the origin and color meet the 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, including the color, cleanliness, origin, taste and characteristics of coffee beans. The export rating is marked by simple numbers, with the best washed coffee at level 5 and the best sun-cured coffee at level 4. After grading, mark the place of origin and then export. Exports are usually paid by letter of credit, which can not only reduce the risk of foreign exchange collection for exporters, but also give quality assurance to importers.

According to the law, all coffee is sold through an auction held by Addis and DiRedawa. During the coffee harvest, such auctions are even held twice a day.

The export of coffee

Coffee is Ethiopia's most important export cash crop and the main source of Ethiopia's foreign exchange earnings. Ethiopia's coffee exports account for about 3% of the world market, making it the eighth largest coffee exporter in the world. Coffee exports increased steadily from 58000 tons in 1990 to 110000 tons in 1995-1996 and remained at this level in the following years. The export volume exceeded 110000 tons from 2001 to 2002 and reached 127000 tons from 2002 to 2003. As the price of coffee on the international market has been declining for a decade, Ethiopia's foreign exchange earnings have been seriously affected. Before the sharp drop in coffee prices, coffee exports accounted for more than half of Ethiopia's foreign exchange earnings, but now they account for only about 35 per cent. But according to the International Coffee Organization, coffee prices rebounded 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. The average price in March 2004 was 60.8 cents per pound, an increase of 50% over September 2001. This is excellent news for Ethiopia.

Ethiopian people are addicted to coffee. In 2003, domestic consumption accounted for 42.3% of the total output, with a per capita consumption of 3 kg. But more than half of the coffee produced each year is used for export to earn foreign exchange. The main exporters include the United States, Italy, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Greece, France, Belgium, Germany and Australia.

Before 1974, the right to produce, process and trade coffee was in private hands. During the military administration, private farms were nationalized and smallholder coffee producers were snubbed. In 1991, the Ethiopian Transitional Government issued a new economic policy to encourage private businessmen to export coffee. As a result, the number of private coffee exporters has increased sharply. Nearly 90% of coffee exports are now in the hands of private exporters.

The characteristics of Ethiopian coffee

The natural characteristics of coffee beans include size, shape, acidity, texture, taste and aroma. Essel's coffee beans are small, fragrant and sour like wine, and are loved by coffee lovers. Because of its unique aroma and taste, Ethiopian coffee is often used in the production and variety improvement of beverages, ice cream and candies.

The world-famous Ethiopian coffee is mainly:

1. Limu coffee grows between 1400 meters and 2000 meters above sea level. Wash the coffee. Excellent quality, with strong nut aromas, suitable acidity, with the intensity of wine. The annual output is 29000 tons.

2. Jima Coffee grows between 1400 and 1800 meters above sea level. Sun-baked coffee. Slightly sour, with nutty aromas and a long finish. The annual output is 70000 tons.

3. Gambi coffee grows between 1500 meters and 2300 meters above sea level. It is gourmet coffee with moderate acidity and fruity aroma. The annual output is 34000 tons.

4. Yerqin coffee grows from 1500 meters to 2200 meters above sea level. Mocha flavor, with floral and spicy aromas. The average annual output is about 28000 tons.

5. Sidamo Coffee grows at an altitude of 1400-2200 meters. Suitable acidity and high quality. The average annual output is about 37000 tons.

6. Harald Coffee grows on highlands above 2700 meters above sea level. It is the best coffee in the world, medium acidity, intoxicating exotic flavor, with slightly tipsy, dried fruit aroma, is pure mocha coffee. The average annual output is about 26000 tons.