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Sidama Region
Sidama Region is located in the southern part of Ethiopia and shares borders with the Oromia Region and the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region.
Historically, Sidama has been home to the Sidama people, an ethnic group with a rich cultural heritage and deep-rooted traditions. The region is renowned for its fertile highlands and ideal climate for coffee growing. Sidama coffees are globally celebrated for their vibrant acidity, floral notes, and complex flavour profiles.
Most of the coffees grown within the region are carried out by smallholders using traditional methods passed down through generations. This not only supports the local economy but also preserves the cultural identity tied to coffee farming.
Beyond coffee, Sidama boasts a rich cultural landscape. Traditional music, dance, and festivals play a central role in community life. The Fichee-Chambalaalla, a New Year celebration unique to the Sidama people, was even recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Processing
The cherries are collected by hand and carefully sorted. The coffee then undergoes fermentation in water-filled tanks for an average of 72 hours, with acceptable durations ranging from 48 to 100 hours. Post-fermentation, the coffee is graded into channels; cherries of lower quality (less dense) float to the surface and are removed, leaving the denser, superior beans to be sorted into higher-grade lots.
The coffee then gets dried on raised beds for approximately 8 to 20 days. The coffee is dried in layers ranging from 2 to 8 cm, with the thickness adjusted according to the climate, the type of drying tables, and the stage of drying.