Red CherriesCoffee Bean Intro:

Front Street Coffee: Yirgacheffe Red Cherry Coffee Beans

Region: Yirgacheffe, Alturen Farm

Grade: G1

Altitude: 1700-2200 meters

Processing Method: Natural

Variety: Heirloom

Flavors: Berries, Jasmine, Lemon, Citrus

Yirgacheffe Region

Located in Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, Yirgacheffe is a small town in the Gedeo zone of southern Ethiopia, situated at an altitude of about 1700–2100 meters. Originally part of the Sidamo region, it was established as a separate region due to its distinct coffee processing methods and clearly identifiable cup profiles. It neighbors three smaller regions—Wenago, Kochere, and Gelena Abaya—whose coffees share similar flavor characteristics with Yirgacheffe, which is why Kochere has also been classified under the Yirgacheffe region.

What is the “Red Cherry Project”?

The “Red Cherry Project” (ORC) is an initiative aimed at improving the quality of smallholder farms. In 2007, Trabocca, the largest green coffee importer in the Netherlands, launched the “Red Cherry Project” in pursuit of high-quality Ethiopian beans.

The project requires that only fully red, hand-picked cherries be harvested—but this is just the basic requirement, as the project goes far beyond that. Its primary goal is to encourage farmers and surprise roasters. Before harvest season, Trabocca invites all Ethiopian farms to produce small batches of beans, around 1500–3000 kg (25–50 bags). Only women are allowed to select 100% ripe red cherries, which significantly impacts the resulting cup profile. Therefore, attentive, sharp-eyed, and diligent Ethiopian women are key contributors to the Red Cherry Project.

The Red Cherry Project is also a reinforcement strategy, prompting farms to pay more attention to the bean selection process. These coffees command relatively higher prices. The Red Cherry initiative includes washed, natural, honey, semi-washed, semi-natural, and experimental coffees, primarily sourced from Yirgacheffe, Sidamo, Pungu Forest, Lekempti, Kembaata, Illubabor, Harrar, Limu, and in 2011, the Golocha region (near Harar). All offer unique flavors that fully showcase the characteristics of Ethiopian coffee.

After receiving the coffee cherries, Trabocca conducts further selection. Farms that pass the cupping quality tests at both Ethiopian and Dutch offices are awarded substantial bonuses. Trabocca, the driving force behind the Red Cherry Project, reinvests all profits earned over the years into its partner farms. Trabocca emphasizes that this is a non-profit initiative, so the project is managed by just four people, including the boss and secretary, with other administrative tasks supported by the parent company to reduce overhead. All profits are returned to the partner farms.

As the largest green coffee importer in the Netherlands, the company has deep ties with Ethiopia. Its founder, Menno Simons, knew little about coffee until he traveled to Ethiopia and was amazed by the unique flavors of the local heirloom beans. The company also trades other primary agricultural products, including cocoa and various fresh fruits, committed to sourcing premium raw materials while emphasizing environmental sustainability and farmer welfare.

The company’s vision is “Discover, Develop, Deliver.” Since its founding, Menno Simons has traveled across Ethiopia’s coffee regions, farms, and processing facilities to discover fascinating coffee varieties. This led to the birth of the “Red Cherry Project.”

Characteristics of Yirgacheffe Red Cherry Coffee

First, high cupping score requirements. At cupping labs in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Trabocca re-evaluates the beans upon arrival and assesses them through cuppings in both countries. Only beans meeting the standards are auctioned to global coffee buyers by Trabocca. Typically, coffee beans auctioned via this platform fetch prices over four times the international spot market rate, with the highest reaching up to 20 times.

Second, small production volumes with high quality demands. To ensure ample care for these top-tier Ethiopian beans, Trabocca mandates that participating farms produce only small batches, typically around 1500–3000 kg.

Third, Trabocca invests heavily in and pays close attention to this project. Trabocca has donated new natural drying racks, shade nets, generators, and more on-site. It also provides financial loans, new hardware equipment, and production-processing expertise to help farmers improve their output. Furthermore, real-time monitoring and secure transport ensure that Red Cherry Project beans receive the best care at every stage.

Specifically, the Red Cherry Project encourages farmers to put more care into every step of harvesting and processing by offering higher purchase prices for premium green beans. This results in better quality and taste, earning greater recognition in end markets and balancing the relatively higher procurement costs.