Ethiopia’s Sidama region is where Sidama coffee is grown. It is an organic Arabica coffee that has undergone fine processing and flavoring and is nearly 95% washed. It is well-known for its distinctive fruity, citrusy, and floral aroma. In addition, Sidama coffee is one of the premium coffee grown in Ethiopia.
So, what distinguishes Sidama coffee from other coffees produced in Ethiopia and around the world? Read this blog to learn more about coffee from Sidama and why it is very popular across the globe.
Origin Of Sidama Coffee
Some of the world’s best coffee beans have been produced by the Sidama Coffee farmers for a very long time. Traders from Ethiopia brought the first coffee plants to the Sidama region, and the farmers have been perfecting their craft ever since. Sidama region encompasses lush highlands in the Rift Valley to the south of Lake Awasa.
The ideal growing conditions in the area have led to Sidama Coffee’s distinctive flavor profile, which is why it is so well-known today. The coffee plants are cultivated in rich fertile soil at high elevations and under the shade of native trees. This allows the beans to develop a deep, complex flavor, unlike any other coffee on the market.
Since it is cultivated in high altitudes, it ripens more slowly and has a later harvest season than in the rest of Ethiopia. As a result, the cherries can grow those intricate flavors and aromas unique to Sidama coffee.
What Is The Taste Of Ethiopian Sidama Coffee?
The Sidama coffee flavor profile varies depending on the region where it is cultivated. The coffee beans grown in the Bensa region have a very rich, tropical fruity flavor profile. Beans from the nearby Chire region are known for having notes of nuts, dry fruits, and wine, while those from the Aroresa region tend to taste like sugarcane and black tea flavor.
This makes Sidama coffee some of the most interesting and complex coffee in the world, as its respective region’s terroir influences its flavor profile. No matter the region the beans are from, Sidama coffee has a unique and exciting flavor that will please any coffee lover.
At Kerchanshe, we source coffee from nine different regions of Ethiopia, including Sidama. We are delighted to be able to provide our customers with this highly sought-after coffee from this region.
Processing Of Sidama Coffee
Ethiopian coffee production has always been strictly regulated by the government, right down to detailed instructions for washed or natural processing. Since the washing process helps bring out the acidity of the citrus and the delicate floral notes, washed processing is much more popular than natural processing.
Due to the natural processing, spiced Sidama coffees have a fruity flavor and body when the fruits are properly removed. This is an exciting development for coffee lovers because it means they can enjoy more complex and full-flavored coffees without adding sugar or other sweeteners. In addition, the natural processing of these coffees also results in a higher level of antioxidants, which has numerous health benefits.
What Are The Challenges?
Labor issues are one of the biggest problems the Sidama coffee industry is currently facing. It is getting harder and harder for coffee farms to find workers as more and more people are moving to cities in search of employment. This lack of labor and trained professionals makes it difficult to maintain current production levels and limits the potential for growth.
The mountainous terrain of Sidama presents additional obstacles to the cultivation of coffee. The roads are lengthy, winding, and occasionally in bad shape. This makes it difficult for farmers to transport their coffee beans to the market. Additionally, the infrastructure in Sidama is not well-developed, which makes it difficult for coffee growers to access the supplies and equipment they need to produce quality coffee.
Despite these challenges, the coffee industry in Sidama is booming. Thanks to the hard work of local farmers and the support of international organizations, coffee production in Sidama is on the rise.