Review 1: Ethiopian Yirgacheffe

Ethiopian Yirgacheffe

Details

Source: Whittard’s Coffees of the World

Date: 4 January 2014

Country: Ethiopia

Beans: Arabica

Preparation: Cafetiere

Nose of grounds: Citrus, light, complex

Nose of brew: floral, light

Colour of brew: fairly light; definite brown

Early flavours: Earl Grey, light,

Finish: a bit of earth, but very light and balanced;

Tasting notes:

Being the first coffee I have thought about in depth with regards to its flavours, I’m not entirely sure what I’m looking for or what I should be thinking about. However, I’ve done a lot of tasting of wine and whisky, so I’m approaching it in the same way.

It’s a coffee that holds its depth while being light - it doesn’t have a bitter or very rich taste. However, it is not watery either, as some ‘light’ coffees can be, with very little taste. There is a definite reminder of tea there, especially as the flavours first hit the tongue; to be certain, I inhaled from the tin of Earl Grey. The fragrance isn’t quite as strong as the bergamot of Earl Grey, but it’s along the same lines. The middle and end of the tasting delivers a little more weight to it without overpowering you in any way. There is no bitter, burnt end to it either.

It’s not the jet fuel that I might want on a work morning, but it would be great for a weekend or perhaps in the afternoon. The flavours are so delicate that I wouldn’t eat with it either.

Coffee maker’s notes:

"One of the most unique tasting coffees in the world, Yirgacheffe comes from the lush rolling hills of south-western Ethiopia. These beans are famed for their clean floral flavour typical of this stunning region. This is accentuated by a process of soaking and slight fermentation that coaxes from the beans complex zesty notes and a refinement strangely reminiscent of tea. An exceptional coffee; serve black to appreciate the nuances of the beans.”