The 30-second answer
- 🇪🇹 Ethiopia is the birthplace of arabica, where coffee still grows wild.
- 🌸 Moka Sidamo is known for its floral, fruity notes: jasmine, apricot.
- ⚓ "Moka" comes from the Yemeni port through which these coffees were exported.
- ☕ Brew it as filter, French press or moka pot, without too much sugar.
Updated 27 September 2026 · Reading time: 7 min
"Moka coffee" is one of the most frequent coffee searches in Morocco. Behind the name lies, above all, Ethiopia, a country unlike any other in the coffee world. Here's why its coffees are so sought after.
Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee
Arabica was born in the highland forests of south-western Ethiopia. Thousands of local varieties are still found there, grown by smallholders, often in their own gardens. Coffee is part of daily life, with a ceremony that brings family and neighbours together around the jebena, the clay coffee pot.
Why is it called "Moka" coffee?
Moka (Mocha) is the name of an old port in Yemen, on the Red Sea. For centuries, coffees from Ethiopia and Yemen passed through this port before being shipped around the world. The name stuck as a way to describe these fragrant coffees. So it has nothing to do with the stovetop coffee maker called a "moka" in some countries.
The taste of Moka Sidamo
Sidamo is a region in southern Ethiopia, renowned for its floral coffees. Our Ethiopia Moka Sidamo ORGANIC offers a smooth body, a very silky texture and fruity notes of apricot and jasmine. Its intensity is moderate (5 out of 10) and its SCA score is 83.
| Moka Sidamo | Kenya AA | Brazil Santos | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | Apricot, jasmine | Floral and fruity | Fruity, lightly woody |
| Acidity | Gentle | Bright | Low |
| Body | Silky | Lively | Light and smooth |
| Who is it for? | Lovers of finesse | Lovers of bright coffees | Lovers of smoothness |
How to brew it
- Filter or French press: the methods that best respect its floral aromas.
- Moka pot: a stronger cup that keeps its fruitiness. Our guide: Moka pot: how to make great coffee.
- The Ethiopian way: in small cups, slowly, with friends.
- Go easy on the sugar, to let the jasmine and apricot shine.
The roaster's tip: serve Moka Sidamo in a preheated cup and wait a minute before the first sip: the jasmine and apricot notes come through better as the coffee cools slightly.
THE ORIGINAL COFFEE
Ethiopia Moka Sidamo Organic Coffee
Smooth and silky, with notes of apricot and jasmine, from organic farming. Whole bean or ground for every brewer.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between moka coffee and Ethiopian coffee?
"Moka" is a historical name given to coffees from Ethiopia and Yemen. Today, it most often refers to an Ethiopian coffee, like our Moka Sidamo.
Is Ethiopian coffee strong?
It's delicate and fragrant rather than bold. Our Moka Sidamo has an intensity of 5 out of 10.
Is it organic?
Yes, our Ethiopia Moka Sidamo comes from organic farming.
Can it be brewed as espresso?
Yes, it makes a smooth, fragrant espresso, with less bitterness than a Latin American coffee.
Key facts and sources
- Intensity 5 out of 10 for our Ethiopia Moka Sidamo ORGANIC: a delicate, fragrant coffee rather than a bold one.
- SCA score of 83 for this same Moka Sidamo.
- Notes of apricot and jasmine, smooth body and very silky texture: the profile of the Sidamo region in southern Ethiopia.
- "Moka": the name of an old port in Yemen, on the Red Sea, through which coffees from Ethiopia and Yemen passed.
- Organic farming: our Ethiopia Moka Sidamo comes from it.
For information only: the cup profiles described here vary with the grind, the water and the brewing method.
More African coffees
Related articles
- Kenyan coffee: taste, origin and brewing
- Single-origin coffee: flavour guide by country
- Organic coffee: what the label really changes
- Arabica vs robusta: what's the difference?
In short: Ethiopia is the birthplace of arabica, and Moka Sidamo is one of its finest ambassadors. Floral, fruity and silky, it's best enjoyed as filter, French press or moka pot coffee.
Our 100% arabica coffees are craft-roasted in France in small batches and delivered anywhere in Morocco in 2 to 5 days. Free delivery from 350 DH, cash on delivery.
