Ethiopia's leading coffee-producing region, with Sidama cups described as sweet, red-berried and floral at roughly 1,500-2,200 m.
Sidama is an official region (created 18 June 2020, capital Hawassa) covering about 6,538 km². It is described as the leading coffee-producing region in Ethiopia and supplies over 40% of the washed coffee sold to the central market, and Sidama is one of the trademarked names whose rights Ethiopia owns. Roaster guides give roughly 1,500-2,200 m for Sidama coffee, in washed and natural styles, and describe red berry, citrus, florals and a clean finish.
Field notes
- i
Sidama became an official region on 18 June 2020 following a referendum.
- ii
Sidama is described as supplying over 40% of the washed coffee sold to Ethiopia's central market.
- iii
The Sidama Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union was founded in 2001 and certified Fairtrade in 2003, and one trade profile counts 53 member cooperatives and more than 80,000 farming families.
- iv
One exporter sorts Sidama coffee by area, from Aleta Wendo at about 1,550-1,900 m up to Arbegona at about 1,900-2,200 m.
In the cup, according to guides
- SweetnessMoreGuides describe Sidama cups as sweet, with sugar cane or red cherry notes.
- BerryOften notedRed berry, blackcurrant and red cherry notes are reported for Sidama.
- CitrusOften notedOne exporter lists lemon and green grape for washed Sidama.
Within Sidama
Varietals
Elsewhere in Ethiopia
Sources · 9 Every sentence here was checked against a source we read. Taste notes are what guides describe, not promises about your bag. Last revised 2026-11-10.
- Sidama Region · Wikipedia
- Coffee production in Ethiopia · Wikipedia
- Guide to Ethiopian Green Coffee Origins · Ethio Coffee (exporter)
- Ethiopian Coffee: Taste, Growing Regions, Production, and Brewing · Colipse Coffee
- Ethiopian Coffee Guide · 1Zpresso
- Sidamo (Sidama) coffee: origin page · Ethio Coffee Import and Export PLC (Ethiopian exporter)
- Sidama Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union (producer profile) · Fairtrade Proof (importer cooperative profile)
- Wolisho (cultivar page) · Inheritance Coffee
- Varieties Glossary · Sucafina