Yirgacheffe Coffee Beans

Yirgacheffe (also spelled Yirgachefe) is a coffee-growing district in the Gedeo Zone of southern Ethiopia, located within the broader Sidama region. Despite technically being part of Sidama, Yirgacheffe coffees are so distinctive and prized that they are classified and traded as their own category - a recognition of their exceptional quality and unique flavor profile.

Grown at elevations of 1,700 to 2,200 meters above sea level, Yirgacheffe coffees benefit from ideal growing conditions: rich volcanic soil, ample rainfall, moderate temperatures, and shade from indigenous forest canopy. The coffee is almost exclusively heirloom Ethiopian Arabica varieties, including JARC selections and local landraces that have been cultivated for centuries.

Yirgacheffe is widely considered one of the finest coffee origins in the world. It consistently produces lots scoring 84–88+ on the SCA cupping scale and commands premium prices in the global specialty coffee market. For roasters, a Yirgacheffe offering is often a cornerstone of any single-origin program. To see how Yirgacheffe compares with other top Ethiopian origins, read our Yirgacheffe vs Sidamo vs Guji comparison.