How to Brew Ethiopian Coffee

Coffee has become an everyday necessity in most households. Because of that, different coffee origins are more accessible for the typical home brewer. Fortunately, more people are starting to become aware of the complexities of coffee, and how different each coffee origin is from the other. In that regard, a favorite for many coffee lovers, is Ethiopian coffee.

Even for non-coffee-drinkers, Ethiopian coffee never fails to amaze the palate with its vibrant fruit flavors, intricate floral notes, and aromatic balance. Because of this, small-batch coffee roasters like Kunjani, love to focus on bringing out the best qualities of these beans, in every roast profile.

Ethiopian coffee has very delicate flavors. Therefore, it is important to know just the right way to brew specialty coffee such as this. If you're ready to unlock the unique flavors of Ethiopian coffee, keep reading for some brewing methods that will help you do just that, all from the comfort of your own home.
 

The Pour-Over Method

Many coffee enthusiasts love this low-tech, traditional brewing method, and for a good reason — the simplicity brings out the flavorsome nuances of any specialty coffee, but especially Ethiopian coffee.

The pour-over method provides the most control when brewing coffee. You can choose the coffee to water ratio, select the appropriate temperature, control the water flow, and choose the right grind size for your brew. Although it can be a bit time-consuming, the overall process is quite therapeutic, allowing you to connect with your coffee. 

How To:

1. Pre-wet (rinse) your filter and vessel with hot water before placing your 25g of coffee in the dripper.
2. Remove excess water and start brewing your coffee with 200–205°F water.
3. Allow your coffee to bloom for at least 30 seconds before continuing to pour water until 1:30 to 2:15 minutes. 
4. After that, allow the remaining water to drip until 2:30 to 3:00 minutes, and then serve.

See complete instructions in our v60 brew guide.

The French Press Method

If you want a quick, easy, and consistent brewing solution, a french press is the perfect brewing method for you. The french press follows an immersion brewing method which means you're allowing the coffee grounds to extract in the water for a certain time before serving it.

Ideally, you want to work with coarser coffee compared to a pour-over grind since you'll be letting your coffee sit in a vessel for a longer time. This type of method gives your Ethiopian coffee a rich, full-bodied flavor. 

How To:

1. Place 30 grams of coarse Ethiopian specialty coffee in your french press. 
2. Heat your water to 200–205°F and pour at least 60 grams of water in your coffee to bloom for 30 seconds. You can even agitate your grounds a bit to ensure your coffee is damp.
3. Pour the rest of your water until it reaches 360 - 450 grams of water.

See complete instructions in our French Press brew guide.

The Cold Brew Method

A refreshing way to enjoy Ethiopian coffee is by drinking it cold. We find the best way to do that is by brewing it using the cold brew method. Although the cold brew method requires minimal preparation, it does, however, require a longer brewing time.

Since cold brew doesn't use hot water, you'll be happy to know that this method is best if you want a less acidic cup, without compromising its flavors. 

How To:

1. Fill up your pitcher with 1 part coffee grounds and 4 parts water.
   
   
2. Cover the top and let this sit for 12 to 18 hours at room temperature; going over that may over-extract your Ethiopian specialty coffee. However, if you want a concentrated version, don't go over 24 hours.
   
   
3. After letting it sit, filter out the coffee grinds, extract the coffee and serve it in a tall glass of ice. Add water to taste. 

See complete instructions in our Cold brew concentrate brew guide.

The Bottom Line: There Are Several Ways to Enjoy Ethiopian Coffee, and You Can Easily Do Them at Home

These are only three of the ways you can enjoy Ethiopian coffee. But if you want to explore more, you can also try Ethiopian espresso shots or by using the Aeropress method.
 

Are You Looking for a Small-Batch Coffee Roaster?

Although coffee is a common necessity and part of almost everyone's daily routine, you should know that specialty coffee beans can change how you enjoy and perceive a simple cup of coffee.

Kunjani is a women-owned coffee shop and roaster that focuses on sustainable efforts, consistency in roasting, and ethical practices for sourcing and roasting. If you're looking for the best specialty coffee in town, come visit us today!