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Origin · EthiopiaProcessing · Washed & Natural1,400-1,900 m

The Coffee Atlas

Ethiopia Jimma

Ethiopia Jimma, the high-volume western origin and home of the JARC 74-series cultivars, with washed-lot cupping scores, altitude data and brewing notes.

Region: Jimma Zone, Oromia RegionHarvest: Oct-DecVariety: Heirloom / landrace (JARC selections incl. 74110)Species: 100% Arabica
1900 m
meters at peak, sourced range
Oct-Dec
harvest window
2
published reviews behind this profile
7
sources cited, each checked before publish

Flavor profile

avg. of 2 published reviews
Aroma · 9.0Flavor · 9.0Acidity · 8.5Aftertaste · 8.0Body · 8.5

Scale: 1-10, Coffee Review / SCA-classic-form convention. Averaged from 2 independently published, dated Coffee Review scores of washed Jimma Zone lots (92 and 94 overall). Both are washed; natural-processed Jimma lots are not represented. Not a category-wide statistical sample: individual lots vary.

What it tastes like

Jimma is Ethiopia’s western, high-volume commercial zone, and it is often among the first regions with export-ready coffee each season, with some lots available from late December according to Ethio Coffee’s harvest guide. Both washed and natural lots are common, which makes it a good place to taste how much processing changes the same landscape.

The two reviewed washed lots read as floral and stone-fruited: jasmine and honeysuckle in the aroma, apricot and peach in the cup, with almond and cocoa nib underneath and a juicy but not sharp acidity. They scored 92 (Biftu Gudina) and 94 (Agaro Duromina) at Coffee Review.

The zone is also where the cultivars many Ethiopian farms now plant were bred. Ozone Coffee Roasters notes that JARC 74110 was developed at the Jimma Agricultural Research Centre, catalogued in 1974 and released in 1979, so a “Jimma” label on the bag may describe either old forest landraces or these selections.

Floral · jasmineFruity · apricotFruity · peachNutty/Cocoa · almondNutty/Cocoa · cocoa

How to brew it

Method fit for this origin · editorial guidance from roaster convention

Best fit
Pour-over
Recommended

Filtered clarity suits the floral and stone-fruit notes of washed Jimma lots.

Espresso
Workable

Sweet, syrupy-bodied lots can work well, but bright Ethiopian coffees need careful dialling in to avoid sourness.

French press
Workable

Adds body, but full immersion tends to blur the delicate floral top notes.

⚠ Fit tiers are editorial guidance drawn from roaster convention; no industry standard scores brew fit, so we show tiers, never invented numbers. Reflects brew guidance commonly published by specialty roasters for Ethiopian lots, not an SCA-defined standard.

Altitude & region

Growing elevation, meters above sea level · this entry vs comparison bands

Kenya AA (typical)1,500-2,100 mEthiopia Jimma · 1,400-1,900 mBrazil Cerrado (typical)800-1,300 msea level
2,250 m1,500 m750 m0 m

Ethiopia Jimma's range is sourced directly from Ethio Coffee's origin table (see Sources & data); other sources cite higher individual-farm elevations. Kenya AA and Brazil Cerrado are shown for scale using commonly published origin altitude bands, not a lot-specific measurement.

Caffeine content

Caffeine by dry weight · each gold dot = 0.1%

1.2%
Arabica This coffee
~1.2% caffeine by dry weight
2.2%
Robusta
~2.2% caffeine by dry weight

Caffeine content tracks species, not origin, altitude, or processing: Robusta beans contain almost twice as much caffeine as Arabica (see Sources & data). This entry is 100% Arabica; no credible per-origin caffeine figure exists at a category level, so the comparison above is by species only, not a measurement of this specific lot.

Where to buy it

Transparency: some links on this site are affiliate links; if you buy through them we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Roasters are picked for genuine, current sourcing of this coffee, never for who pays us.

Amazon

Selection varies; check roast dates, 100%-origin labeling, and seller reviews before buying.

View lot→

Sources & data

  1. Crozier et al.: Espresso coffees, caffeine and chlorogenic acid intake (Food & Function, 2012)Peer-reviewed (Univ. of Glasgow): states robusta coffee beans contain almost twice as much caffeine as arabica, by species
  2. Ethio Coffee: harvest calendar and origin altitude tableJimma altitude (1,400-1,900 m), harvest window (Oct-Dec), natural and washed processing
  3. Ozone Coffee Roasters: Mensur and Nesru, JimmaJimma highlands 1,400-2,200 m; JARC 74110 developed at Jimma Agricultural Research Centre, catalogued 1974 and released 1979
  4. StoneX Specialty Coffee: Jimma Grade 1 NaturalExample lot: 1,900-2,200 masl, variety 74110, natural process dried on raised beds
  5. Coffee Review: Ethiopia Biftu Gudina Jimma, Corvus Coffee RoastersCupping scores (1 of 2 averaged); washed, Jimma Zone, November 2015
  6. Coffee Review: Ethiopia Agaro Duromina, Jaunt Coffee RoastersCupping scores (2 of 2 averaged); washed, Agaro Duromina, Jimma Zone, February 2025
  7. Coffee Review: scoring methodology1-10 attribute scale definition