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Ethiopian coffee has a long history, and rich heritage, which has helped to create a culture of coffee appreciation and craftsmanship that is deeply ingrained in Ethiopian society. Today, Ethiopian coffee is highly regarded as a specialty coffee favorite, known for its unique and complex flavor profiles. But how did Ethiopian coffee become such a beloved and sought-after beverage around the world?
The origins of coffee in Ethiopia can be traced back to the 10th century, when it was first cultivated in the southwestern highlands of the country. At the time, coffee was mainly consumed locally and not yet known outside Ethiopia. It was in the 16th century when coffee was introduced to the Arabian Peninsula, that it began to gain wider recognition.
By the 17th century, coffee had made its way to Europe, where it quickly became popular among the upper classes. European powers soon established coffee plantations in their colonies, including in the Americas, where coffee would become an essential commodity for trade.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia continued producing coffee for local consumption and trade with neighboring countries. However, it wasn't until the 20th century that Ethiopian coffee began to gain recognition as a specialty coffee. In the 1930s, the Ethiopian government established the first coffee cooperative, which helped to improve the quality of the country's coffee and increase its global visibility. The cooperative system allowed farmers to work together to improve the processing and marketing of their coffee, and to receive fair prices for their crops.
Additionally, in the 1950s, the Ethiopian government established the Ethiopian Coffee Export Corporation (ECEC) to oversee the export of coffee from the country. The ECEC worked to establish direct relationships between Ethiopian coffee farmers and international buyers.
Despite these efforts, Ethiopian coffee remained relatively unknown in the specialty coffee market until the 1960s when the first specialty coffee shops began to emerge in the United States, offering high-quality coffee sourced from around the world, including Ethiopia. These coffee shops helped to popularize Ethiopian coffee among coffee connoisseurs, who were drawn to its unique and complex flavor profiles.
Today, Ethiopian coffee is widely regarded as one of the best specialty coffees in the world, with its distinct floral and fruity notes making it a favorite among coffee lovers. Ethiopia's high altitude, ample rainfall, and fertile soil provide ideal coffee-growing conditions. Many of the country's coffee farms are located at elevations of 1,500 meters or higher, which helps to slow the growth of the coffee plants and allows the beans to develop more slowly and evenly, resulting in a more complex flavor profile.
At Impact Roasters, we're proud to work with Ethiopian farmers to source the highest quality beans and bring the unique flavors of Ethiopian coffee to coffee lovers around the world.
Our webshop offers a wide variety of Ethiopian coffee beans, with 11 types available at the moment. Choose from both wet washed and sundried processed options to experience the unique and complex flavor profiles that Ethiopian coffee is known for.
So why not treat yourself to a delicious cup of Ethiopian coffee today? Head over to our webshop and explore our selection!
Impact Roasters is refining its organic practices by no longer pursuing official organic certification for its Ethiopian coffee. The decision stems from the increasing bureaucracy around certification, which detracted from focusing on sustainability and responsible sourcing. Despite the lack of formal certification, their coffee remains organic in practice, as farmers still use traditional methods without harmful chemicals. Impact Roasters continues to work directly with Ethiopian farmers, ensuring high quality, ethical coffee without compromise.
For more details, visit Impact Roasters’ blog.