YIRGA ABABA
 
Pronunciation: [Yer-gah A-ba-ba]
Translation: Amharic for 'Yirgacheffe Flower'
Origin:  Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia 
 
The Flavour Profile:
Yirga Ababa is the queen of Ethiopian coffees and prioritises elegance over power. It offers a sensory experience that is closer to fine tea than traditional coffee which is a hallmark of the prestigious Yirgacheffe region.
 
The Opening: The cup opens with a distinctively perfumed aroma of jasmine and bergamot. On the palate this translates to a delicate citric acidity similar to Earl Grey tea.
The Body: As the coffee settles it reveals a light and silky texture. The floral notes ground themselves in a subtle sweetness of ripe peach and apricot stone.
The Finish: It concludes with a clean and resonating dryness. The finish is crisp and leaves a lingering sensation of lemon zest and fine bourbon whisky.
 
The Science of the Bean:
This coffee comes from the Negele Gurbitu washing station where the terroir creates a unique chemical signature.
 
Heirloom Genetics: Unlike commercial monocultures this coffee consists of thousands of indigenous landraces known as Heirloom varietals. This genetic diversity provides a wider spectrum of aromatic compounds specifically high levels of linalool which creates the intense floral nose.
Elevation Impact: Grown at altitudes exceeding 1700 metres the cool air delays seed maturation. This allows the bean to develop complex sugars and acids slowly creating a dense hard seed that can withstand the delicate light roast required to preserve the floral notes.
Specialised Washing: The beans undergo a fully washed process that rigorously removes the mucilage. By stripping the fruit early the process prevents fermentation flavours from masking the pure enzymatic flavours of the seed resulting in explosive aromatics.
 
The Origin Myth:
This coffee honours the founding legend of our entire industry and the spirited nature of the roast.
 
The Dancing Goat: Legend tells of Kaldi the Ethiopian goatherd who noticed his goats dancing with energy after eating red cherries from an unknown bush. He tried them himself and coffee was discovered. This roast captures that same burst of joy and discovery.
Jazzy Tones: The profile delivers a bright and rhythmic interplay between floral aromatics and the warmth of bourbon whisky. This energetic character mirrors the erratic dance of Kaldi's goats offering a coffee that is full of life and movement.