What is Heirloom Coffee?

Heirloom coffee from Ethiopia refers to its native, often unclassified and diverse coffee varieties. This broad term covers an estimated 6,000 to 15,000 unique varieties. "Heirloom coffee" refers to non-hybrid, wild, indigenous, or genetically undefined coffee. Some grow wild in Ethiopian forests, while others are cultivated traditionally. Heirloom coffee is classified into JARC varieties (like 74110, 74112, and 7440) and regional landraces (like Yirgacheffe, Sidama, Harrar, Limu, and Jimma). Some of the best Ethiopian heirloom coffee beans grow at high altitudes and score 85 or higher with the SCA scale. Ethiopian heirloom coffee from Colipse is high-quality due to its unique genetic variety and rich flavors, often including floral, fruity, or wine-like notes. Pour-over, AeroPress, or French press brewing best highlights these flavors.

What is Heirloom Coffee?

Heirloom coffee refers to Ethiopia’s native coffee varieties, often unclassified and genetically diverse. Ethiopian heirloom coffee is a very broad term used for coffee made up of estimated 6,000 to 15,000 of unique varieties. Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, with a rich Coffea arabica gene pool. Due to a lack of comprehensive genetic testing, 'Ethiopian Heirloom' serves as a general term for various unnamed, genetically undefined native coffee varieties.

Many of Ethiopian heirloom coffee varieties are indigenous and cultivated for generations. These are non-hybrid, open-pollinated coffee varieties that reproduce naturally without human intervention. Unlike coffee hybrids bred by humans for high yield, disease resistance, and uniformity, heirloom coffee trees naturally preserve unique genetic traits passed down through generations. In the coffee industry, "heirloom coffee" refers to any coffee variety introduced over 100 years ago that retains its original genetic makeup without significant hybridization.

"Ethiopian heirloom coffee" and "Ethiopian landrace" are similar terms, often used interchangeably, but have slight differences. Heirloom coffee refers to the origin and genetic lineage of older, genetically diverse, and distinct varieties passed down through generations. Landrace coffee has heirloom genetics but adapts to specific Ethiopian environments. A true landrace is old, traditional, locally adapted variety, and still growing in its native Ethiopian environment.

For example, Geisha Heirloom coffee from Ethiopia's Gesha village is a true landrace, adapted to its local environment. In contrast, Panama Geisha, though originating from Ethiopian Heirloom, grows in different conditions with modern farming practices. It retains the 'heirloom' label due to its origin but no longer qualifies as a landrace coffee because it has adapted to new environments outside its native habitat.

What Does Heirloom Coffee Mean?

The term 'heirloom coffee' means non-hybrid, wild, indigenous, or genetically undefined coffee varieties. Some heirloom varieties grow wild in Ethiopian forests, while others are cultivated in traditional farming systems. Heirloom coffees develop over time through natural selection and traditional farming, rather than intentional cross-breeding in modern programs.

The word heirloom originates from Middle English heirlome, meaning “a tool or article passed to heirs.” It combines heir and loom, with loom historically referring to a “tool.” "Heirloom coffee" and "mixed Heirloom" are often confused but have distinct meanings. Mixed Heirloom refers to a blend of various, often unidentified, coffee varieties, mainly from Ethiopia, which hosts an estimated six to ten thousand varieties. Due to this diversity, most Ethiopian coffee is classified as mixed heirloom. Heirloom coffee does not always mean wild coffee from untouched, forest plants.

What are Heirloom Coffee Beans?

Heirloom coffee beans are seeds of the Coffea arabica plant that originated from traditional Ethiopian varieties preserved through generations. Ethiopian Heirloom coffee beans are often grown on small farms at high altitudes, with many cultivated in home gardens or forests. Ethiopian Heirloom coffee grading is based on bean and cup quality, considering altitude, imperfections, and flavor. Grades range from 1 (highest) to 9 (lowest). Grades 1 and 2 are classified as specialty coffee.

Ethiopian Heirloom beans are often smaller than other African or Latin American coffees, with irregular shapes and some showing a longer form. In contrast to traceable cultivars like Bourbon or Catuai, Ethiopian Heirloom coffee beans represent a diverse, largely unidentified collection of coffee without precise farm or varietal data. In Ethiopia, local aggregators or cooperatives collect coffee cherries from small, family-owned farms, mixing beans from multiple farms, which makes tracing back to individual farms difficult.

Is Heirloom Coffee Organic?

Whether heirloom coffee is organic depends on farming practices. Heirloom coffee plants are often cultivated using traditional, sustainable, shade-grown farming methods to preserve biodiversity. Many Ethiopian farms naturally operate organically due to the limited use of pesticides and synthetic chemicals. Smallholder farmers intercrop coffee with food crops to maximize land use and ensure food security for their families. Some certified organic heirloom coffees are grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, or GMOs. However, official organic certification is uncommon, even for farmers using organic practices, because certification premiums often do not cover production costs.

Is Heirloom Coffee Mold Free?

No, Heirloom coffee is not guaranteed to be mold-free. Selective harvesting and sorting of damaged or underripe cherries can minimize mold growth in heirloom coffee, but this does not ensure a completely mold-free product. Contamination can occur during farming, storage, or transportation.

What are the Different Ethiopian Heirloom Coffee Varieties?

Heirloom coffee varieties are classified into two groups: JARC varieties and regional landraces. JARC varieties like 74110, 74112, and 7440 are developed by the Jimma Agricultural Research Centre for traits like disease resistance and higher yield. Ethiopian regional landraces like Yirgacheffe, Sidama, Harrar, Limu, and Jimma are genetically diverse coffee populations adapted to specific microclimates and regions in Ethiopia. Classifying Ethiopian heirloom coffee by region is the most common and recognized method, especially in the specialty coffee industry.

• JARC Heirloom Coffee: JARC Heirloom coffee refers to coffee varieties developed by the Jimma Agricultural Research Center (JARC) in Ethiopia. The center focuses on breeding and improving coffee plants for traits like disease resistance and higher yields. These varieties differ from traditional heirloom coffees, which are typically open-pollinated and naturally evolved over time in specific regions.
• Yirgacheffe Heirloom Coffee: Yirgacheffe heirloom coffee refers to coffee produced in Ethiopia’s Yirgacheffe region. Yirgacheffe heirloom coffee grows at elevations between 1,700 and 2,200 meters. Aricha Washing Station produces complex, floral Yirgacheffe grade-1 coffees and processes both washed and natural varieties. In 2019, four Aricha coffees reached the final selection of The Ethiopian Cup.
• Sidama Heirloom Coffee: Sidama heirloom coffee is grown in Ethiopia’s Sidama region. Sidama coffee cherries are processed at washing stations and mixed with other heirloom varieties to create diverse flavor profiles. Ayla Bensa Washing Station produces high-quality Sidamo specialty coffees and Bombe coffee. The washing process includes pulp removal, fermentation, rinsing, and drying on raised beds.
• Harrar Heirloom Coffee: Harrar Heirloom coffee grows in Ethiopia's Eastern Highlands, specifically in the Harrar region. Harrar Heirloom coffee undergoes natural or dry processing, where ripe cherries are sun-dried with the fruit attached. This method allows the seeds to absorb juicy, fruity, and wine-like flavors.
• Limu Heirloom Coffee: Limu Heirloom coffee comes from Ethiopia’s Limu region. Limu coffee beans offer a unique flavor profile with high-quality Arabica beans. The washed processing method enhances their clarity and brightness. Some natural processed varieties also exist. The Feyisa Abamecha Washing Station is among the top facilities in the Limu region.
• Jimma Heirloom Coffee: Jimma Heirloom coffee blends traditional Ethiopian varieties cultivated in the Jimma region. Farmers grow these coffee plants under the shade of native trees, preserving the natural ecosystem and promoting biodiversity. Jimma Heirloom coffee often features a flavor profile with floral, fruity, and spicy notes.

Ethiopia is home to many other unique heirloom coffee varieties, some of which are listed below.

• Ababuna
• Abyssinia
• Agaro
• Alghe
• Awada
• Badessa
• Barbuk Sudan
• Bishari
• Cioccie S6
• Dalle
• Dega
• Dilla
• Djimma
• Ennarea
• Gawe
• Gera
• Ghimbi
• Haru
• Khudumi
• Kurume
• Lekempti
• Longberry Harrar
• Mechara
• Melka
• Melko-CH2
• Mettu
• Miqe
• Mugi
• Rume Sudan
• Sawa
• Tafarikela
• Tegu
• USDA 762
• Wellega
• Wenago
• Wolicho
• Wolisho
• 74110
• 74112
• 74148
• 74165

What Does Heirloom Coffee Taste Like?

Ethiopian Heirloom coffee offers diverse, complex flavors shaped by region, processing methods, and local landrace varieties. Heirloom coffee has fruity or floral notes, high sweetness, and broad acidity. Roast levels affect its flavor, often introducing chocolate, berries, stone fruits, citrus, florals, bergamot, or green tea hints. Ethiopian Heirloom coffee flavors vary by region. Washed Yirgacheffe often highlights florals and stone fruits; Guji naturals offer sweet, berry notes; Sidamo coffees present berry, citrus, and chocolate flavors; and Harrar coffees are intense and fruity with blackberry, spice, and dark chocolate notes. Processing affects Ethiopian Heirloom coffee's taste. Natural or dry-processed beans are funky and fruity, while washed beans are brighter and cleaner. Some find Ethiopian coffee too acidic or earthy if improperly brewed. The acidity is lively, often with citrus notes, and the body is light to medium, depending on processing.

How to Choose the Best Ethiopian Heirloom Coffee Beans?

To choose the best Ethiopian heirloom coffee beans, follow these five steps below.

• Identify the region: Regions like Yirgacheffe, Sidamo, and Harrar offer distinct flavor profiles.
• Check processing methods: Washed beans offer clarity, while natural-processed beans have fruity notes.
• Examine freshness: Buy freshly roasted beans with a clear roast date.
• Consider roast level: Lighter roasts highlight the beans' natural flavors.
• Read tasting notes: Look for flavor descriptions like floral, citrus, or berry, which are characteristic of Ethiopian heirloom beans.

What are the Best Ethiopian Heirloom Coffee Beans?

The best Ethiopian heirloom coffee beans are the ones that grow at high altitudes and have a Specialty Coffee Association score of 85 or higher. These Grade 1 Arabica beans, with fewer than 5 defects, offer complex flavors like floral, fruity, or wine-like notes. Top-tier lots, both wet and dry processed, hail from regions like Yirgacheffe, Sidama, Harrar, Limu, and Guji.

Colipse offers specialty-grade Ethiopian heirloom coffee beans, single-origin and sourced directly from the Sidama region. Naturally processed and medium-light roasted, these beans reveal sweet caramel, star jasmine, and amber notes with bright acidity. Unlike the store-bought Ethiopian coffee, our beans are freshly roasted to order for authentic, unparalleled flavor.

Where to Buy Ethiopian Heirloom Coffee Beans?

You can buy Ethiopian heirloom coffee beans directly from Colipse. Our selection includes single-origin varieties like Ethiopia Sidamo, featuring heirloom beans grown at high altitudes. Available as whole beans for all grinders and bean-to-cup machines or as drip ground for manual pour-overs like Clever Dripper, Bee House, Chemex, Kalita Wave, and automatic brewers. A 12-ounce bag of Colipse Ethiopia Sidamo costs $22.50 USD with free shipping across the U.S., no minimum order required.

Is Heirloom Coffee Good?

Yes, Ethiopian heirloom coffee is considered high-quality due to its unique genetic variety and rich flavor profiles. It often has complex tasting notes, including floral, fruity, or wine-like flavors. The best brewing methods for heirloom coffee variety are pour-over, AeroPress, or French press, as they highlight its nuanced flavors and maintain its delicate balance.

How Does Heirloom Coffee Compare to other Coffee Varieties?

Heirloom coffee differs from other varieties in genetic purity and flavor complexity. Heirloom coffee refers to traditional plants with unique genetic profiles. These beans offer complex, fruity, and floral flavors. Other coffee bean varieties, like hybrids, are bred for yield and disease resistance, sometimes sacrificing flavor for consistency.