Sidama coffee is a finely processed, flavored organic Arabica coffee that is almost 95% washed and is harvested in the Sidama region of Ethiopia.
We know you value perfection, rich flavor, and the art of roasting. Sidama coffee, which won a bronze medal at the Golden Bean Awards, will blow you away!
Chocolate ganache and blackberries are the flavor notes of Sidama coffee, which has a comprehensive, juicy texture, and berry-forward fragrance.
You may have many questions about this fine aromatic coffee, but here is a sure thing: when you drink Sidama coffee once, you’d want to have a taste again to experience the heavenly rich feeling and taste.
Now off to the nitty-gritty details to get to know this special coffee variant!
What is Sidama Coffee?
Sidamo coffee is a special Arabica coffee, and its origin is Eithopia’s Sidamo region.
Sidamo is a name that many of us are familiar with, but Sidama is not. Since the early 1800s, unfortunately, the name “Sidamo” has been incorrect.
The mistake originates from Emperor Menelik II’s conquest of the territory between 1889 -1913 when he was the monarch of Shewa and Ethiopia.
As a result, the coffee community, including Starbucks, began marketing Sidamo coffee.
Even coffee from places that aren’t named Sidama is marketed under the name Sidama since people are less likely to buy coffee from a location they’ve never heard of because Sidama is more marketable.
The Sidama Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union (SCFCU) was established in 2001 to represent coffee-producing cooperatives in southern Ethiopia’s Sidama Zone.
SCFCU members have been cultivating and processing Sidama-type of coffee for more than 35 years, and they are directly exporting high-quality traceable coffee to international consumers.
Watch this video to learn about the current state of coffee in Ethiopia.
What is Special about the Sidama Coffee?
Sidama is special because of its flavorful taste, various fragrances, and distinct processing method.
The ripening process is carried out more slowly and at a lower temperature than in other parts of Ethiopia, resulting in a sweet flavor and an acidic, fruity fragrance.
The region where Sidama coffee is collected is fertile and suitable for coffee tree development.
In the Rift Valley, the land stretches across the hills south of Lake Awasa.
The temperature here is cooler than in the other regions, which leads the coffee cherries to ripen at a slower speed. So, its harvesting season is later than the other coffees in Ethiopia.
The long ripening process helps these cherries adapt to the various fragrances, quality, and characteristics of Sidama coffee which are the most special aspects of Sidama coffee.
What Does Sidama Coffee Taste Like?
Sidama coffee has a sweet flavor with acidic fruit notes.
Sidama coffee wins this round if you’re seeking a coffee with a delicate lemon and bergamot aroma. It is a grade two coffee because it has a natural spice and excellent acidity.
The tastes vary depending on where you are in Sidama. You can find the varieties from these areas:
- Bensa
- Chire
- Aroresa
Bensa, for example, grows the richest and most fruitful coffee of the three main villages.
Tropical fruits abound, and some coffees even have a strawberry flavor profile.
Unlike Bensa, Chire develops coffee with nut, wine, and dry citrus scents, whilst Aroresa’s coffee has a light jasmine scent.
One thing is certain, each of the varieties from Sidama tastes sweet compared to other coffees.
How is Sidama Coffee Being Made?
The government has always carefully regulated Ethiopian coffee manufacturing, even down to step-by-step guidelines for washed or natural processing.
Years ago, several firms began producing honey from selected Sidama specialty lots.
Thanks to this sort of processing, they’ve been able to better manage the precise attributes that fermentation amplifies, from sweetness to acidity.
The fact that Sidama coffee is 95% washed is the most important attribute.
Coffee that has been washed or naturally processed is readily accessible. However, washed processing is far more common as the washing process brings out the citrus acidity and delicate floral notes.
When the fruits are removed correctly, natural processing gives spiced Sidama coffees fruitiness and body.
A lot of hands-on effort at the washing stations is necessary to maintain good standards.
How to Make a Cup of Sidama Coffee At Home
Making your cup of Sidama coffee goes from washing to grinding beans.
If you want to make a cup of Sidama coffee at home, here is the process:
- Wash the coffee beans in cool water.
- Pick through them just like you would any other bean, removing the awkward-looking specimens.
- Pour off extra water and roast the beans in a pan over medium or medium-low, until they pop and take a dark brown color.
- Stir continuously with a wooden skewer or keep shaking the pan. Make sure it’s not a nonstick pan.
- At first, the moisture will steam off. Then, the pan will dry out and the beans will start to turn golden brown. Keep stirring until dark brown and it’s beginning to pop.
- Grind the beans and brew in the normal way.
- Make coffee with the brewed bean. As you pour the coffee, you should try doing it from high distance, about 8 inches. This age old method makes a gorgeous stream of black coffee into your cup.
Is Sidama Coffee Healthy to Drink?
Yes, Sidama coffee is a healthy drink!
It has a good amount of protein and calories, plus zero sugar!
You might have many questions about this heavenly fragranced, sweet-tasting Sidama coffee. One of which is whether it’s safe to drink or not despite its good taste.
Though Sidama Coffee tastes sweet, it has no sugar, which is a good thing if you’re very health-conscious.
However, you should keep an eye on your consumption limit, as it contains caffeine which can potentially lead to adverse effects if over consumed.
Excessive drinking can lead to addiction and other caffeine-related side effects such as:
- headaches
- jitters
- sleep problems
- diarrhea
- anxiety
- rapid heart rhythm
That said, you shouldn’t really overindulge in any kind of caffeinated food or beverage.
Here’s a table showing the nutritional content of an average cup of Sidama coffee:
| Elements | Amount |
| Caffeine | 75 to 130 mg |
| Protein | 71% |
| Calories | 19% |
| Sodium | 1% |
| Potassium | 3% |
| Sugar | 0% |
| Fiber | 0% |
| Calcium | 1% |
| Iron | 1% |
As you can see, Sidama coffee has a moderate caffeine content which could be ideal for those with low caffeine tolerance.
It is worth noting that Sidama coffee’s rich amount of antioxidants will give your immunity a boost.
According to a study, Ethiopian Sidama coffee consumption significantly altered most blood lipid levels, suggesting that it may have a preventive effect against cardiovascular disease risks.
However, experimental and epidemiological research with bigger sample sizes, encompassing different age groups and dietary habits are needed to further investigate the connections between coffee drinking habits and serum lipid levels.
How Much Does Sidama Coffee Cost?
At the lowest price, a kilo of whole bean Sidama coffee costs approximately $18; while at the maximum price, it costs $300 or more.
The quality and taste of this fragrant rich coffee sometimes vary in price.
At the cheapest pricing, you can purchase a pound of Sidama coffee for around $10 or a little bit more, which is grade three coffee with a lemon and cane sugar taste.
It can be simple to locate in stores or find online. However, if you’re seeking grade two Sidama coffee, the usual price is around $15 per pound or more.
The coffee will have a tropical fruity wine flavor with overtones of blueberries, cherries, strawberries, cranberries, raspberries, and other berries at this pricing.
Some extraordinary, uncommon varieties, on the other hand, might cost over $100 per kilo because of their unique flavor, mix, and texture.
Final Thoughts
Ethiopia is famed for its coffee, and Sidama is one of its most well-known locations.
From dark brown to light beige, the coffee contains all the hues you’ll want to see while making espresso. The aftertaste is light caramel or chocolate with a pleasant citrus acidity undertone that persists.
Sidama coffee is 100% organic and grown in a natural setting. It isn’t genetically modified, and not over-fertilized. Plus, you can easily make your own cup at home!
It could be costly but I think it’s worth it!
So, if you’re looking for a new high-quality organic coffee to sample, Sidama is the one for you.