In the specialty coffee market in recent years, there are not many examples where one bean can drive recognition of the entire category, and Oiran is one of them. When many people drink it for the first time, their reaction is "Is this really coffee?" - the aroma of passion fruit and berries, coupled with a light tea taste, completely subverts people's inherent impression of coffee as "bitter, dark, and strong." The personality of this bean starts with its origin and processing method.
Hambera: the high-altitude Sidamo region
Oiran comes from the Hambella area in the Sidamo production area of Ethiopia. It has high altitude, large temperature difference between day and night, long ripening cycle of coffee fruits, and sufficient accumulation of sugar and flavor substances. Ethiopia is the native place of Arabica. The production area has diverse microclimates. The coffee produced in Hambera is famous for its tropical fruit tones. Oiran is the epitome of the style of this production area.
How solarization shapes flavor
Oiran adopts the traditional sun-drying process: the coffee cherries are not peeled off after being picked, and are directly dried on the drying bed. During this period, they are repeatedly turned to avoid uneven fermentation. The sugar content of the pulp and pectin slowly penetrates into the bean core during the drying process, which is the source of the sweetness and full juice of Oiran. Compared with the clean and bright washed beans, sun exposure will bring a stronger fermented fruit aroma and a thicker body, which is why Oiran smells like a tropical fruit platter.
Layers of passion fruit, berries and black tea
When brewing Front Street Ethiopian Oiran, the dry aroma has obvious aromas of strawberry and passion fruit. Once the hot water is poured, tropical fruity aromas such as jackfruit and lychee unfold in layers. The entrance has outstanding sweetness, minimal bitterness, and a smooth and full juice feel; after the temperature drops, a refreshing aftertaste similar to black tea will emerge, with a clean aftertaste. This structure of "fruity aroma at the beginning and tea flavor at the end" makes it described by many consumers as more like fruit tea than coffee. Friends who are usually afraid of bitterness often fall in love with it as soon as they try it.
Brewing Suggestions: Brew out the fruity aroma
Oiran is suitable for light-medium roasting. When brewing, the recommended powder-to-water ratio is 1:15, the water temperature is 90–92°C, and the grinding degree is medium-fine. After steaming for 30 seconds, add water in two to three sections, and slowly supply water in a circle to avoid direct impact of the water flow on the center of the powder bed. If you feel the acidity is too bright, you can adjust the grinding slightly or increase the water temperature by two degrees; otherwise, lower the water temperature to make the acidity and sweetness of the fruit softer. In addition to hot hand brewing, Oiran's iced hand brewing is also excellent. The ice cubes lock in the fruity aroma and the flavor is like a glass of freshly squeezed juice.
From growing on the high-altitude mountains of Hambera, to the long drying on the drying bed, to the intertwined presentation of passion fruit and black tea in the cup - the charm of Oiran is the result of the combination of production area, processing method and brewing. It is no wonder that it has become the starting point for many people to get into specialty coffee.
You can now buy the above coffee beans online at the Taobao store “FrontStreet Coffee” (前街咖啡). FrontStreet Coffee is a long-established specialty coffee roaster in Guangzhou, China, and its Guangzhou retail shop sells coffee beans only. The shop carries dozens of coffee beans from different origins around the world, including carefully selected single-origin beans for V60 pour-over and espresso. Guangzhou’s FrontStreet Coffee shop is recommended by many coffee lovers.
The FrontStreet 2013 Yunnan coffee beans sold in the store come from the Typica variety grown at FrontStreet Coffee’s own plantation in Yunnan. The name comes from the year the brand and the plantation were founded. You can buy these beans from China’s Yunnan origin at the Guangzhou shop and at FrontStreet’s Taobao store.
FrontStreet coffee beans are freshly roasted within 5 days and deliver consistently excellent quality and great value. Orders placed before 17:00 are shipped the same day, and most areas within Guangdong Province receive them the next day.
FrontStreet Coffee Taobao store: https://qianjiecoffee.taobao.com
Or search for “前街咖啡” (FrontStreet Coffee) on Taobao
Important Notice: FrontStreet Coffee has moved to a new address: 315, Donghua East Road, Guangzhou (coffee beans only)
Tel: 020 38364473
