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The Special Allure of the Organic Ethiopian Harrar

There can be little doubt that Ethiopia is a coffee capital. Yet, most of us will never get the opportunity to sample brew in this foreign land. Thankfully, it’s possible to experience Organic Ethiopian Harrar Fair Trade at your local coffee house. Chances are it’s a taste you’ll want to savor each week.

Organic Ethiopian Harrar comes courtesy of the Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union Ltd. The union, which was founded just before the turn of the 21st century, is the largest fair trade coffee producer in Ethiopia, so it is privy to the best coffee the country has to offer. This is an heirloom coffee, which makes it all the more coveted.

The coffee is grown and harvested without the use of insecticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers. The fertility of the soil is enhanced through organic composting methods. These techniques produce a coffee that is bright and fruity with a memorable spicy flavor. The body of the coffee tends to be medium to heavy, while the aroma is quite sweet. The coffee beans are characterized by a unique chocolate finish. As a result, the coffee is similar in taste to mocha, but possesses a finish that is more delicate.

It has been said that Ethiopia Harrar is both flavorful and complex. In fact, believe it or not, it has blueberry accents—so it may be perfect for sipping on a sunny summer afternoon. Coffee enthusiasts maintain that this coffee is nearly perfectly balanced. The major difference between Harrar and the Yergacheffe variety is the manner in which the coffees are processed. Harrar is dried naturally without washing or removing the cherry, while Yergacheffe is fully washed and fermented without the fruit. The Harrar is also so “scent-sational” that, once you open a bag, the scent of blueberry can fill your kitchen. While it is true that the Harrar variety lacks the consistency of a washed coffee, it is considered highly prized because of the combination of incredible sweetness, spice, fruit, and even cocoa.

Ethiopian farmers carefully safeguard the quality of the Harrar. In fact, there’s even a law that requires that all coffee be dry processed within the region. In this way, the coffee’s unique characteristics can be protected. Typically, Ethiopian growers operate through cooperative societies; as a result, a cup of Ethiopian Harrar is the work of dozens of individual growers.

Drinking coffee in Ethiopia is not simply a habit—it’s actually an event. Ethiopian farmers typically get together three times a day to roast, brew, and drink java. Therefore, it’s obvious that the Ethiopian Harrar is a variety that is taken seriously—both by those who produce it and by those who drink it.

Of course, the Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union Ltd. is involved in more than just Harrar production. It also produces the coffee varieties known as Limu, Sidamo, Jima, and Lekempti. The cooperative has been so successful that it actually produces tons of coffee each year—that’s enough to keep your coffee cup filled for decades to come! The cooperative is like a one-stop shop for Ethiopia’s coffee business, dealing with coffee processing, marketing, exporting, and even the proper care of coffee by-products. As long as the cooperative is working to bring Ethiopian Harrar to your local coffee shop, you should be able to drink this fruity blend to your heart’s content year in and year out. Try some Ethiopian Organic today!