Ethiopia Guji Uraga Grade 1 Natural
When folks think of Ethiopia they usually think of the powerhouse that is the Yirgacheffe region. Well this coffee is here to remind you that Ethiopia’s bigger than just Yirgacheffe and Guji has a place on the world coffee stage! This lot has been carefully processed and sorted to Grade 1 to minimize defects and highlight what makes the heirloom beans of Ethiopia such a prize. Unlike in nearby Kenya, the Grade of coffee beans doesn’t have much to do with how big or small the beans are, since all heirloom beans are pretty small and fairly varied due to their “wild” nature. Here Grade 1 has a direct correlation to quality, and it shows!
This regional blend sourced from smallholder farms surrounding Feku Jiberil’s washing station is chock full of fruit! My first thought when sniffing and sipping this cup was “fruity pebbles.” While I wouldn’t call this a “berry bomb” there are definitely strong notes of strawberry and blueberry along with black cherry and a cinnamon and nutmeg undertone, reminiscent of granola. It’s silky, surprisingly clean and intensely sweet. From a big fan of natural processed Ethiopian coffees, this one comes highly recommended!
Reminder! This coffee is raw, you must roast it before brewing
Arrival Date: September 23rd, 2022. US Arrival: September 2022. Packed in GrainPro Bags
Acidity & Brightness: Moderately bright and very sweet.
Balance & Finish: Slightly complex, lingering spice finish
Body & Texture: Medium bodied with a silky texture.
Flavors: Fruity pebbles, strawberry, blueberry, cherry and spice
Grade: Grade 1, grown at 1650-1800 masl
Processing: Natural (dry) processed and dried on raised beds
Grower: 600 producers organized around Feku Jiberil
Region: Tomme, Guji Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
Varieties: Indigenous heirloom cultivars
Recommended Roast Range: City to Full City (Light to medium)
Start at City (light) or just in to a rolling first crack and go a bit darker as desired. Natural processed coffee, particularly those from Ethiopia, tend to showcase best at lighter roasts. We find it best not to go any darker than Full City (Medium, after the end of first crack) and most folks will prefer a City + or at the tail end of first crack. Light roasts will have a bit more brightness and a touch of florality while medium roasts will accentuate more rounded sweetness and a bit more body.
Royal Coffee - "This coffee is sourced from 600 family-owned farms organized around Feku Jiberil, at his coffee washing station located in the town of Tomme within the Guji Zone of the Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Coffee producers deliver their ripe cherries to the Feku’ s washing station where the cherries are sorted and immediately placed on raised beds and dried over a period of 18 to 21 days. The raised drying beds are carefully constructed to ensure proper air circulation and temperature control for an optimal drying process. Cherries are also turned regularly on the beds to prevent damage during the drying process. The cherries are stored in a local warehouse after the moisture is reduced to between 11.5 and 12 percent. Then the beans are transported to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, to be milled and bagged prior to export.”
