Legado doesn’t put out new coffees as often as some of our other roasting partners, so we always treat it as something of an event when they do. This particular release is especially exciting as any coffee nerd acquainted with the phrase “Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Natural” will be quick to tell you.

Ethiopia is believed to be the birthplace of coffee as we know it today. The story, famous in coffee circles, is that a young goat herder in 9th century Ethiopia stumbled upon the first coffee shrubs when he noticed that his flock was acting strange,  jumping, even, and discovered the fruit causing their odd behaviour: coffee cherry. He took his discovery to some local monastery where the monks, after some deliberation and scepticism, decided to soak the coffee cherry in hot water and drink the resulting beverage. Its energising effects allowed them to stay awake during long nights of prayer, and the Ethiopian coffee tradition was born. 

These days we consume coffee quite differently, but what remains the same is the centrality of Ethiopia to the broader coffee zeitgeist. The East-African country is famous for regularly producing some of the best coffee in the world, thanks to the ideal and varied terroirs it is home to and and the astounding genetic diversity of Ethiopian coffee plants. 

This particular Ethiopian coffee comes from one of the country’s most famous growing regions, Yirgacheffe, which is often likened to France’s Champagne region. Yirgacheffe coffees can be delightfully complex, and are often characterized by floral and citrus flavours and a tea-like body. They’re certainly a house favourite at Cape Coffee Beans, and we’re excited to finally see how Legado does them. 

Legado’s notes

• Tasting Notes: Juicy notes of peach, jasmine, lemon and citrus
• Acidity: Low
• Body: Medium
• Roast Level: Medium

Coffee details from Legado

“Elegant and refined, this Ethiopia Yirgacheffe offers a smooth, medium-bodied experience with a gentle, sweet acidity. Delicate notes of peach and jasmine unfold beautifully, complemented by a bright touch of lemon and citrus. A delicate floral aroma adds depth and complexity, resulting in a well balanced, clean and delightfully crisp cup.”

• Country: Ethiopia
• Region: Yirgacheffe
• Variety: Bourbon
• Altitude: 1700 - 2200 masl
• Processing method: Natural