Ethiopia Yirga Cheffe-Shakiso SWP Decaf
Ethiopia Yirga Cheffe-Shakiso SWP Decaf
Farm Description
This originated with two really nice wet-processed coffees from the current crop, a Yirga Cheffe cooperative coffee and our Guji lot from Shakiso, farther south. We knew these two would compliment each other, and tried them out blended and unblended before sending them direct from our warehouse to the Swiss Water plant for their filtration decaf treatment. We are really happy with the results! We were happy too with the physical results, because our last lot of Ethiopia Swiss Water Decaf (which was a great cup actually), was fractured in the process. But they were so cool, they actually bought the coffee from us, and the next lot we sent worked out perfectly. The problem is the water activity level in the coffee. The one we sent was quite low, and when it was rehydrated in the decaf process, it split. We notice some end splitting on a few beans in this lot, but it doesn't affect the roast dynamic or the cup. I know that, because the cup is really outstanding! (I don't give 87 points to many decafs).
This coffee is part of our Farm Gate pricing program.Cupping Notes
The dry fragrance has floral hints, nutty roast tone, and a graham cracker sweetness. The wet aroma from the light roast is very sweet as well, dripping in honey, with a touch of citrus. Darker roasts have a deep caramel sweet scent. I know this might sound like odd praise, but this cup has no detectable "decaf aroma," that typical and ubiquitous scent from most decafs that mark them as something, uh, "different." I think it is at it's zenith in terms of brightness, sweetness, and has maximum "origin character" at City + roast level. The cup flavors are very balanced, and the acidic brightness more mild than the non-decaf lots. In other respects, it is so similar to the ingredient coffees: honey and caramel sweetness, jasmine-like floral flavors, ripe orange notes, graham cracker. The body is not thick, but has a creamy mouthfeel. I had nice results throughout the roast range. Listen carefully to the roast, track the smell, target City+ roast level, and remember that surface color on a SWP decaf can fool you! It is actually greener than most decafs, but still colors to a darker color than the resulting taste of the coffee would suggest. This Yirga Cheffe - Shakiso blend is definitely one of the most aromatic, delicate and sweet decafs we have had in recent memory.
Score
Lot Size
Roast Recommendations
City+ for brewing to Full City+ for espresso.Processing
Varietal
Grade & Appearance
Packaging
Comments
#1 notes
slight floral and bergamot on the dry aroma. Cream of wheat with rich honey in the warm cup. As it cools, more floral honey notes, sweet round lemon note in the finish. very well balanced Honey and lemon with a lighter maltiness. A mild cup, but not at all underwhelming, still has a very pleasant presence. lots of wit bier characteristics
#2 No one at a recent public
No one at a recent public cupping could guess that this was a decaf coffee, though it was quite distinctive on the table with it's sweet barley aroma. There's an intense malt and honey sweetness on this coffee, like a fresh loaf of wheat bread with a hint of berry in the finish, Very drinkable with a lot of flavor, but mild body.