This type is grown in the Sidama region south of the capital, Addis Ababa. It is the most southern and most productive province in the country. The region is well known for having ideal climate conditions for growing coffee. This is all due to high altitudes of between a 1600 - 1900 meters, ample rainfall, optimal temperature, and rich soil.

Washed Sidamas are typically high quality coffee with unique sweet lemon and floral flavours, and an ideal balance between acidity and body. Sometimes this type can be compared favourably with coffee from the Yirgacheffe region.

For Ethiopian coffees, the Grade 2 signifies that the coffee is washed. Also, the difference between grade 1 and 2 is defined by the number of visible defects in the prep. If a coffee receives a grade 1 classification, it has 0 - 3 defects; this is rare! Grade 2 coffees allow 4 - 12 defects. Typically the quality of washed coffees is more consistent than that of unwashed coffees.

We do not recommend Ethiopia Sidamo beans for use in Espresso machines as they are very dense, making extraction difficult.