Ethiopia
Washed Sidama
Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region, Bensa
Floral | Lemongrass | Green Tea | Peach
Washed · In Stock
Ethiopian Region
Sidama (Sidamo) Green Coffee
Southern Ethiopia's balanced region—still listed as "Sidamo" on many price lists. Where ARDI originally came from, before we expanded sourcing to Guji. Dark chocolate, nut notes, and medium acidity that defines Ethiopian versatility.
Southern Ethiopia
ARDI's original home
Natural + Washed + Decaf
Geography
ARDI's original home
Sidama is where ARDI was born—the region where Sam first discovered that exceptional sweet, floral cup in 2009. Today, ARDI can come from either Sidama or Guji, because what matters is the flavor profile, not the exact location.
Sidama borders both Guji and Yirgacheffe—the three regions are so intertwined that some areas are separated only by roads. The coffee plants are essentially the same; processing creates the distinction.
Sidama quick facts
- — Location: Southern Ethiopia, Sidama region
- — Elevation: 1,800–2,200m
- — Processing: Natural, Washed, Decaf
- — Varietals: Heirloom
- — Key producers: Israel Degefa, Worku Buche
Flavor
Sidama flavor profile
Natural Sidama
Balanced and comforting. Dark chocolate with nut undertones and medium acidity.
Dark Chocolate
Nuts
Medium Acidity
Washed Sidama
Cleaner cup with brighter acidity. Similar to Yirgacheffe profile.
Tea-like
Floral
Bright
Sidama Decaf
Decaf done right. Crisp apple and toasted almond—no caffeine, full flavor.
Crisp Apple
Toasted Almond
Current Inventory
Sidama coffees in stock
Naming
Sidama or Sidamo?
Same coffee, two spellings. "Sidamo" is the older trade name—it's still printed on export documents, roaster menus, and price lists across the industry. "Sidama" is the correct name of the region and its people, and became the standard after the region gained federal status in 2020.
If you've bought "Ethiopian Sidamo" before, this is the same growing area. We use Sidama because that's what the region calls itself. The coffee doesn't care how you spell it.
Comparison
Sidama vs Yirgacheffe
Yirgacheffe leans delicate: tea-like body, bergamot, jasmine. Sidama cups rounder—dark chocolate and nut in washed lots, berry sweetness in naturals, with more body throughout. Geographically they're neighbors; some growing areas are separated only by a road.
Buy Yirgacheffe for a floral pour-over menu. Buy Sidama when you need an Ethiopian that also anchors a blend or holds up in milk. Many of our roasters carry both.
Common Questions
Sidama Coffee FAQs
Is it Sidama or Sidamo coffee?
Same coffee. "Sidamo" is the older trade name still printed on many labels and price lists; "Sidama" is the correct name of the region and its people, standard since the region gained federal status in 2020. Either spelling refers to the same growing area in southern Ethiopia.
What does Sidama coffee taste like?
Balanced and approachable: dark chocolate and nut in washed lots, berry and winey sweetness in naturals. Sidama carries more body than Yirgacheffe with less wild fruit than Harrar — which is why it anchors so many Ethiopian menus and blends.
What is ARDI coffee?
ARDI is Keffa's trademarked natural Sidama, created in 2009 and named for Ardipithecus ramidus, the oldest hominid fossil ever discovered — found in Ethiopia. Seventeen consecutive harvests of ripe strawberry, blueberry, florals, and cocoa sweetness from the same washing stations. The current crop cups 86.5.
Does Keffa carry decaf Sidama?
Yes, two: a Swiss Water decaf natural Sidama and a UVVW decaf natural Sidama, both cupping 85.5. Decaf that still tastes like Ethiopia — berry sweetness survives the process.
Experience Sidama coffee
Free samples—green or roasted. From ARDI's original home.