Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Oromia Co-op Light Roast

Ethiopians are proud to claim to be the first to discover coffee, growing wild in their majestic highlands. The coffee ceremony is foundatonal in national culture. Ethiopian coffees lives up to their reputation for outstanding gourmet quality and this light roast that highlights everything that makes the Yirgacheffe region famous in the coffee world.

We met with the General Manager of the Oromia Co-op at the Ethiopian Embassy last year, and Tadesse presented an elaborate breakdown of the finances of the organisation. They have been operating for 8 years and now that they have paid off the capital outlay, they are striving to create a better life for their farmers and surrounding communities: better processing facilities, schools, water programs. It was very encouraging to see our direct purchases (through our UK broker DR Wakefield) being put to use in a 100% accountable manner.

tasting notes: The orange and floral aroma rises from the cup and follows onto the palate, where the creamy mouthfeel is a major feature. The body is tea-like in filter methods, and light in espresso (definitely try it in an espresso machine if you get a chance – we’ve gone crazy for it down at the roastery!) All rounded off by a lingering milk chocolate finish.

Made in plunger, you get a “juicy tea” and we must say it is best without milk. Please make sure you grind fairly coarse, we won’t be resopnsible for any astringent sludgy cups!

The recently opened Hawksmoor restaurant at Guild Hall has been serving this roast in a chemex filter and the response has been fantastic – a perfect after-dinner coffee experience for those less inclined to finish on a shot.