This Ethiopian coffee from the Canadian roaster September Coffee in Ottawa is light, juicy, and very clean. In the cup, it reveals notes of peach tea, delicate white flowers, and a fresh lemon-lime acidity, so the flavor is built on stone fruit sweetness, floral elegance, and a sparkling citrus finish. The resulting profile is delicate but by no means bland. On the contrary, it comes across as very precise, harmonious, and lively, with a light body and a long, almost effervescent peach aftertaste. It’s exactly the type of Ethiopian coffee that emphasizes clarity, finesse, and joyful drinkability without slipping into overripe or heavy fruitiness.
The coffee comes from Ethiopia’s Gedeb region, specifically from Chelbesa, and is processed at the Danche washing station. This marks the second year that September Coffee has collaborated with this washing station, and this particular origin beautifully illustrates why Chelbesa is so popular among lovers of Ethiopian coffee. The coffee trees here grow at an elevation of 1,950 to 2,200 meters above sea level amid very dense vegetation, among banana trees and shade-grown coffee trees, which gives the coffee a more delicate, slower-ripening character. The varieties are Kurume and Wolisho— two well-known Ethiopian varieties that impart high aromatic intensity, elegance, and subtle fruitiness to the final cup.
The processing method is washed, but with a longer dry fermentation lasting 96 hours. Upon arrival at the station, the cherries are first sorted in water to remove floating defects; only then does the fermentation itself begin. Ceramic fermentation tanks also play a significant role here, helping to maintain exceptional clarity and purity in the final cup. It is precisely thanks to this processing method that Peach Fizz comes across as so light, precise, and transparent. The peach notes remain delicate and sweet, white floral notes stand out beautifully in the aroma, and citrus acidity lends the entire coffee a fresh, lively energy. The result is a very clean and elegant filter coffee that is delicate yet distinctive enough to leave a lasting impression.