Ethiopia Yirgacheffe – Hammon House Roast

Hammon House Coffee is a small roaster based in the northeast corner of Arkansas. They recently sent a bag of their naturally-processed Ethiopia Yirgacheffe coffee for me to try. Coffee from the Yirgacheffe region is known for its fruity flavor profile and bright, floral aromas.

This coffee began with a sweet, apple fragrance, but did seem to be missing the fruit-forward and floral aromas I initially expected. In the flavor I tasted chocolate, cashew and some floral notes. There were subtle fruity undertones, but I couldn’t identify any berry notes, which I usually find in naturally processed Ethiopian coffees. Usually with coffees I let them cool a few minutes before drinking to expose more of the flavor. This one more than others I really needed to let cool to almost room temperature to get the full range of flavors. The coffee had a medium body and some great, strong acidity at the front of each sip. It had a rich sweetness that blended nicely with the crisp acidity and a floral aftertaste that lingered just a bit.

The Bottom Line

While this was light roasted, it seemed to drink much darker (which could be good or bad based on your preferences). I was hoping for a bit more fruit notes throughout, but did really enjoy the bright acidity that was present throughout each sip. I think this could be a great coffee option for someone who generally enjoys darker profiles, but is looking to expand their horizons to brighter, more exotic African beans.