Ethiopia Siko

Ethiopia Siko is a light single-origin coffee roasted by Rum Baba Coffeeroasters in Amsterdam. This bean from Ethiopia promises a flavorful experience full of fruity and floral notes. Below, the details are covered, from origin and processing to flavor profile and practical information, for this distinctive coffee.

This coffee comes from the Uraga district in the Guji region in southern Ethiopia. The beans are grown by about 500 small-scale farmers around the Kelloo Siko washing station (founded in 2017) at altitudes of roughly 2,100–2,250 meters. Each farmer tends a small plot of on average 0.5–2 hectares, situated on fertile red soil with plenty of sunlight. Thanks to these ideal conditions and the collaboration via the central washing station, the community produces exceptionally high-quality coffee. The result is a coffee that reflects Guji’s rich terroir and benefits the local community.

Ethiopia Siko is lightly roasted, typical for filter coffee. This light roast accentuates the clean, delicate character and the lively fruit tones of the coffee. Rum Baba is known for carefully roasting “delicate filters”, filter coffees with lots of nuance, so the original flavor of the bean stays front and center. The cup profile is therefore clear and fresh, with sparkling acidity. Moreover, the coffee is delivered freshly roasted; Rum Baba usually ships beans roasted 1 to 10 days earlier for optimal freshness in the cup.

The flavor profile of Ethiopia Siko bursts with fruity sweetness and floral aromas. Expect distinct notes of peach and nectarine, wrapped in the scent of honeyed honeysuckle. The coffee has a juicy stone-fruit character, nectarine and peach, that brings a “yellow” fruity sweetness. This sweetness is paired with an elegant, light body; some also taste hints of black tea in the finish, pointing to a clean and lingering aftertaste. All in all, it’s a sweet, floral coffee that evokes a stroll among blooming fruit trees brimming with nectar.

Ethiopia Siko is a fully washed coffee. After picking, the cherries are wet-fermented for 24 to 72 hours (depending on the weather) to loosen the fruit pulp. The beans are then washed and density-sorted in water: the lighter beans that float are removed so only the heaviest, ripest beans remain. After washing, the beans soak for about 6 hours more, then dry for roughly 13 days in thin layers on raised beds. During and after drying, careful hand selection takes place for the highest quality. This meticulous washed processing (Grade 1) results in a bright and fresh cup, with crisp flavors and a pure mouthfeel.

The variety of this coffee is designated as “Mixed Heirloom”, a mix of local Ethiopian Arabica landraces. Ethiopia has enormous genetic diversity in coffee: an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 indigenous varieties grow in the wild, often grouped under the term “heirloom”. This diversity contributes to the complex flavor profile of Ethiopian coffees. The Siko beans are 100% Coffea arabica, the coffee species originally discovered in Ethiopia. Heirloom varieties from Guji are characterized by a pronounced floral and fruity character, which clearly comes through in the Ethiopia Siko.

Sustainability and community play a major role in the production of this coffee. The Siko washing station involves about 300–500 smallholder farmers, providing income and development in the local community. The new exporter Origin Land Coffee, active in Guji among other regions, emphasizes transparency and close collaboration with farmers and washing stations. Rum Baba itself states that its beans are “sustainably sourced”. The ecological footprint is also considered: Rum Baba encourages the sale of 1 kg bags, which results in 20% less packaging waste and a lower transport impact compared to multiple small packages. In addition, many Ethiopian farmers grow other crops (such as maize, sorghum and “false banana”) in shaded forests alongside coffee, contributing to biodiversity and sustainable agricultural practices in the region.

Rum Baba recommends brewing this coffee as filter coffee. Thanks to the light roast, the delicate flavors are best expressed with methods such as pour-over (V60/Aeropress), filter machine or cafetière. In the webshop, the beans can be ground to the right coarseness for the chosen brew method, from fine grind for Bialetti to coarse grind for French press. Although the bean is primarily intended for slow coffee, an experienced home barista can also prepare a mild espresso with it (Rum Baba even offers an espresso-grind option). Tip: use a relatively high brew ratio (more water) to emphasize clarity; this coffee excels in light filter recipes and even tastes excellent as iced filter coffee on a warm day.

Ethiopia Siko is regarded as a high-quality coffee. An independent Q-grader scored a lot of this Guji coffee at 86.75 points (out of 100), an excellent score within specialty coffee. Moreover, it is a Grade 1 coffee, the highest quality class in Ethiopia. The Siko washing station consistently produces high-scoring microlots, indicating this is no fluke. Although specific prices or awards for this coffee are not listed, it is beloved by connoisseurs. Rum Baba itself was recently described as “Amsterdam’s most exciting roaster” due to its bold and quality-driven approach. That image underscores the reputation of the Ethiopia Siko as a coffee for connoisseurs.

Rum Baba packages its coffee in a strikingly playful way. The bags have a colorful and quirky design that clearly deviates from more traditional coffee packaging, the style of Rum Baba is described as “delightfully crazy, colorful and fun” and really stands out compared to other roasters. The label on the packaging lists all the key details, such as the origin (Uraga, Guji), the name of the washing station (Kelloo Siko), the variety (heirloom) and the tasting notes (peach, nectar, honeysuckle). The coffee is available in 250 g and 1 kg bags; the latter larger bag was introduced to save packaging material and is about 20% cheaper per kilo. Rum Baba’s thoughtful, creative packaging design enhances the experience, it conveys that coffee is not only about taste, but can also be fun and accessible.

Ethiopia Siko is available via the Rum Baba webshop and in their two Amsterdam stores (East and West). A 250 g bag costs around €15.75. The roaster also offers 1 kg packages at about €50.00, which is more economical per quantity. Choose whole beans or ground coffee; Rum Baba grinds to order in the desired grind for, for example, V60, espresso or French press. Orders are shipped quickly, within the Netherlands shipping is free from €55 and you usually have your fresh coffee the next day. Keep in mind that this coffee is seasonal: when it’s gone, it’s gone, although Rum Baba regularly releases new harvest coffees from the same region as a successor.