Ethiopia Sidama Grade 1 Washed is a fresh 2025/26 harvest specialty green coffee from the Sidama zone of southern Ethiopia, grown at 1,800 to 2,100 metres above sea level among mixed heirloom Arabica varieties. Grade 1 is Ethiopia's highest quality classification — near-zero defects, clean cup across every tasted sample. This lot carries a high cupping score of SCA 85, placing it firmly in the excellent tier of specialty classification. The washed process produces the floral, precise, and transparent cup that Sidama Grade 1 is known for: jasmine, floral, vanilla, and berry, with a bright well-balanced character and full smooth acidity. Recommended for medium, medium-dark, and dark roast — excellent for espresso roasting, and medium roast also performs well across filter brewing. Density 1,045 g/L, water activity 0.563. Available in 1 lb, 2.5 lb, 10 lb, 15 lb, and 30 lb.
Ships across Canada. Wholesale supply available.
Cup profile +
Aroma
Jasmine, floral, vanilla, light berry sweetness
Tasting notes
Floral, jasmine, vanilla, winey, berry
Acidity
Creamy, rounded, fruit-backed
Body
Clean, lively, well-structured
Finish
Sweet, lingering jasmine and vanilla warmth
Roasting guide +
At 1,045 g/L density this is a high-density washed green that rewards a controlled, patient approach. Allow a thorough drying phase and give the Maillard stage adequate time to build sweetness before first crack. This lot performs across medium through dark roast — the jasmine and vanilla character transitions naturally into deeper sweetness at darker development rather than disappearing, making it a strong choice for espresso programs. Medium roast also pulls well through filter brewing.
Medium roast
Drop 30 to 45 seconds after first crack. Jasmine and vanilla most expressive. Winey character balanced. Berry sweetness on the finish. Works well for both filter brewing and single origin espresso.
Medium-dark roast
Drop 70 to 75 seconds after first crack. Floral notes transition toward caramel and dark fruit. Winey depth becomes richer. Full body. Excellent for espresso — holds complexity under pressure and performs well with milk.
Dark roast
Drop 10 seconds after second crack. Bold, chocolate-forward with a sweet lingering finish. Heavy body. Vanilla warmth persists in the background. Strong espresso profile for café programs and milk-based drinks.
About this coffee +
Sidama received its own geographic indication status within Ethiopia's coffee classification system in 2020, recognising it as a distinct origin from the broader Sidamo designation. The zone sits in southern Ethiopia at 1,800 to 2,100 metres above sea level, where smallholder farmers cultivate mixed heirloom Arabica varieties in backyard garden plots. These heirloom varieties have never been commercially bred or formally classified — they grow wild and semi-wild, contributing hundreds of genetic variants to every harvest that produce the layered, complex cup character that defines the best Sidama lots.
Grade 1 is Ethiopia's highest green coffee export classification under the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority grading system. It permits virtually no defects per 300g sample and requires clean cup quality across all tasted cups. A washed Grade 1 Sidama at SCA 85 represents the top tier of what this origin produces — the cup score confirms exceptional quality verified by a certified professional cupper, and the Grade 1 classification confirms near-zero physical defects that would cause inconsistency in the roaster. The floral, jasmine, vanilla, and berry profile of this lot reflects both the altitude, the heirloom variety complexity, and the precision of the washed process at this quality level.
The 2025/26 harvest designation confirms this is a fresh crop lot. Density at 1,045 g/L and water activity at 0.563 — well within the stable specialty storage range — confirm a thoroughly dried, stable green coffee ready for immediate roasting or planned inventory across a full season. For home roasters seeking the highest-scoring washed Ethiopian green in the United Beans catalogue, this Sidama G1 is the definitive choice.
Specifications +
Origin
Ethiopia
Region
Sidama
Process
Washed
Grade
Grade 1
SCA score
85
Harvest
2025/26 — New crop
Altitude
1,800 to 2,100 masl
Variety
Heirloom Arabica
Density
1,045 g/L
Water activity
0.563
Moisture
10.2% to 10.8%
Recommended roast
Medium, medium-dark, dark
Available sizes
1 lb, 2.5 lb, 10 lb, 15 lb, 30 lb
Frequently asked questions +
How is this Grade 1 washed Sidama different from the Grade 2 in the catalogue?
Both lots come from the Sidama zone using the washed process, but the Grade 1 classification permits virtually no defects versus Grade 2 which allows up to four primary defects per 300g sample. The practical difference in the roaster is more consistent development across the batch with fewer outlier beans. At the cup level, this Grade 1 scored SCA 85 with a flavour profile of floral, jasmine, vanilla, and berry — richer and more complex than the Grade 2 Sidama washed jasmine and peach profile. The Grade 1 is the premium choice for specialty single origin programs where cup score and flavour complexity justify the price difference.
What does a high cupping score of SCA 85 mean for this lot?
The Specialty Coffee Association scores green coffee on a 100-point scale. Any score above 80 qualifies as specialty. Scores above 84 are classified as excellent — a tier reached by fewer than five percent of all traded green coffees globally. At SCA 85 this Sidama G1 sits firmly in that excellent category, confirming verified exceptional cup quality across all tasted samples. For home roasters and commercial roasteries, the score provides a reliable benchmark that this green coffee will perform at a consistently high level across medium, medium-dark, and dark roast profiles.
What brewing method works best after roasting this green coffee?
This lot excels as an espresso roast — the floral and vanilla character at medium-dark and dark development transitions into caramel depth and a lingering sweet finish that holds up well under pressure and performs strongly with steamed milk. Medium roast also works well for filter brewing through pour-over and drip, where the jasmine and berry character comes through cleanly. Allow the brewed cup to cool slightly before evaluating at medium roast as the complexity develops further as temperature drops.
How should I store this green coffee?
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct light and moisture. Green coffee is stable for 12 to 18 months in correct storage conditions. We ship all our green coffee in 9 layer hermetic Ecotact bags to preserve moisture content and the aromatic character of this lot between roasting sessions.
