Ethiopia is said to be the birthplace of coffee, where the coffee berry and its uplifting effects were first discovered way back around the 9th century AD. Today Ethiopia is the largest coffee producer (and consumer) on the African continent. Coffee accounts for around 30% of the East African nation's exports, and farms can be found all over the country's mountainous topography.

Ethiopian coffee is typically known for being brightly acidic with complex but delicate fruit and floral flavours, though specific tasting notes vary from region to region. Yirgacheffe is one of the most celebrated of Ethiopia's coffee-producing regions, recognised by coffee-lovers and professionals all over the globe for having produced some of the best coffee in the world.

Yirgacheffe coffees are particularly fruit-forward, even by Ethiopian coffee standards, and this particular Yirgacheffe has undergone natural processing to accentuate its bright and exciting flavours all the more. This is also the very first natural Yirgacheffe from our friends at Quaffee. 

Phaedon's tasting notes

Despite its natural processing, this new Yirgacheffe from Quaffee is as delicate and tea-like as they come. In fact, tea featured in my tasting notes in pretty much every brew method. There are some subtle fruit notes to complement those tea florals as well. They're quite discrete but tropical in nature. In my pour-overs, at least, they tasted a bit like melon.

Quaffee's notes

• Taste Profile: Apricot, black tea florals and honey sweetness with a fruity after-taste
• Roast Used: Intense heat at the start of the roast. Followed by a decreasing ramp rate, with a kick ramp rate to finish the roast, dropping 45 seconds into the first crack.
• Roast degree: Cinnamon (Light-roast)
• Quaffee brews:
• Espresso: 1:2.5 (27 sec)
• AeroPress: 16g:200g (finer)
• Plunger: 48g:800g
• Pour over/filter: 18g:300g

Coffee details from Quaffee

Nafkot has a remarkable personal story. Born in 1978 in Gerbota and has a master’s degree in Public Health. She is married and has three children. Furthermore, she balances her role in the local health office of Yirgacheffe with her coffee production. She partners with Ephtah Coffee, which enhances her income and influence in the coffee industry. Her farm, surrounded by the majestic Sengage mountain, is a symbol of her legacy and dedication.

More than just a coffee producer, Nafkot Admasu is a leader, an innovator, and an inspiration. She grows and processes exceptional “Heirloom” cultivar coffee beans on her 0.5-hectare farm and processing station in Gedicho, Idido, Yirgacheffe. The unique environment of her farm, which sits at an elevation of 2150 meters, gives her coffee distinct and nuanced flavours.

Not only does Nafkot care about her own success, but she also cares about the well-being of her community. To support her economic and social progress, she participates in the “Ama Commitment” scheme. The scheme pays her 60% of her payment upfront, and the rest when the exporter settles with the buyers. Moreover, she benefits from the pre-funding of 5 million ETB from Ephtah Coffee, which demonstrates the collaborative effort behind her coffee.

Natural Process

Nafkot uses a natural dry processing method, which involves sun-drying the coffee cherries for 12 to 15 days. She then stores them in a local warehouse on-site, before sending them to Addis Ababa for further processing and export. She does not have a washing station, but she prefers this method because it suits the scale of her farm.

• Producer: Nafkot Admasu
• Farmers: 305 smallholding farmers, who are part of the Kennisa co-operative
• Region: Idido, Yirgacheffe
• Country: Ethiopia
• Altitude: 2150 masl
• Processing: Natural
• Species/Variety: Arabica, various heirlooms
• Packaging: Hessian with Grain Pro inside

Quaffee's transparency information

• FOB Price: $12.84/kg (logistics est around R35/kg)
• Cupping score: 87.75 (AndSons) - we cupped at 84.50
• Producer/Organisation: Nafkot Admasu
• Lot size bought: 1 x 60kg bag, with a possible 1 booked
• Relationship: We have purchased coffee from Falcon since 2016. Falcon has a direct relationship with the grower.