Ethiopian Coffee – The Grandfather of All Coffee
The origins of coffee use can be dated back as early as the domains of the 9th century that was located at the highlands of Ethiopia. Rumors say that Ethiopian shepherds have this story that their goats tend to dance and happened to become more animated after being able to ingest wild coffee berries which is the main content of a 9th-century Ethiopian legend which names an Ethiopian goat herder called Kaldi. Though this is considered to be true, some are still skeptical about this claim. Experts and historians have claimed that in the mid-15th century, Yemen monasteries located in the Arabian Peninsula have documented most of the reliable evidence of coffee usage. These different claims may be attributed to the discrepancy between the reference to the coffee trees themselves and the modern roasting process which includes grinding of coffee that is said to originate from Arabia.
In recent decades, Ethiopia has become the fifth largest maker and exporter of coffee beans. In 2008 alone, almost 2 million metric tons were exported from the said country. Needless to say, wild and native Arabica type coffee is still the main choice for exotic coffee. Most of the coffee beans are still originating from the various rainforests in the region that are elevated up to 6,000 feet. Arabica coffees are mainly cultivated by small village people that are grown in small garden settings. Also, their government is keen in providing help that offer various source and means of coffee production. Ethiopian coffee is not grown with the use of chemicals and fertilizers. This ensures that they are able to attain the most natural form of coffee possible.
Two of the most prominent Ethiopian coffee types are the Harrar and Yirgacheffe. Both vary from their place of origin as well as the processing process they go through. Harrar coffee is very much given regards for its fruity and wine-toned acidity. The flavor can be considered similar to the mocha taste of the Yemenese coffee while Yirgacheffe is known for its thick rich body, winy acidity, intense yet distinct floral aroma and earthy feel to it.