History of Coffee in Ethiopia
Ethiopia is considered the homeland of Arabica coffee, where these small beans with complex flavors were first discovered in human history. From the land of Addis Ababa, a story of a small fruit with a significant impact began—a fruit that many cannot complete their day without drinking a cup of. Massive companies and projects revolve around it, and even entire national economies are based on the production of this marvelous fruit.
Ethiopia is characterized by the multitude of coffee varieties and their significant complexities. Ethiopian coffee is referred to as "Heirloom," a term that describes the innumerable varieties of coffee that originate from Ethiopia, estimated to be between 6,000 to 10,000 different varieties, predominantly showcasing floral, herbal, and acidic nuances.
Coffee production in Ethiopia is a deeply rooted legacy in Ethiopian civilization, accounting for the largest percentage of the country’s gross domestic product. Over 15 million people work in coffee cultivation and exportation, leading us to conclude the vast scale of the Ethiopian coffee project and its important role in the country's economy.
Knowledge Facts:
Ethiopia is one of the largest coffee exporters in the world, accounting for approximately 5% of the global coffee output. A statistical study conducted in 2012 found that about 8 million bags of coffee were exported, placing it fifth globally among the largest coffee-exporting countries.
In Ethiopia, the coffee harvest season often coincides with the last quarter of the year (October - November - December), with a heavy reliance on Arabica beans to produce the finest crops, resulting in many varieties referred to as "Heirloom." The crops are usually processed either naturally or through washing. Coffee farms are concentrated in several regions of Ethiopia, with some of the most famous being Yirgacheffe, Sidamo, Harar, Limu, Djimma, Limbutti, Wellega, and Jimpé, each region offering different nuances, varieties, and body, varying according to the culture of each area.
