Ethiopia Regessa vs Sookoo Tima: Which Washed Coffee Wins?
By Fellow Products | Published: 2026-10-16
Category: Product Reviews
Compare Ethiopia Regessa and Sookoo Tima on origin, process, and flavor. Find out which washed Ethiopian coffee suits your brew method and taste.
Quick answer
Choose Ethiopia Sookoo Tima if you want a layered, floral washed coffee with blackberry, citrus, and apricot notes. Choose Ethiopia Regessa if you prefer a fruit-forward natural with red fruit, florals, and candied citrus. Both are light-roasted Ethiopian single origins, but Sookoo Tima's washed process delivers more clarity, while Regessa's natural process brings heavier fruit sweetness. For pour-over, start with Sookoo Tima; for a fruitier cup, pick Regessa.
What Sets These Two Ethiopians Apart
Ethiopia Sookoo Tima comes from the kebeles of Tima in Guji and is a community effort. Most cherries are Gibrinna 74110 and Serto 74112, high-quality varieties from Illubabor forests, dried in very thin layers for 15–20 days to achieve stunning clarity. The result is a washed coffee with blackberry, citrus, apricot, and a beautiful floral sweetness.
Ethiopia Regessa is a rare single-farm Ethiopian from Sidama. Regessa owns a 4-hectare farm planted exclusively with the Krume 74158 variety, grown at 2,270 MASL and processed naturally. It tastes of red fruit, florals, and candied citrus. The natural process amplifies fruit intensity, while the high elevation contributes to the coffee's brightness and complexity.
Flavor Profiles: Clarity vs. Fruit Intensity
Sookoo Tima's washed process removes the fruit before drying, so the cup highlights the bean's inherent character: blackberry, citrus, apricot, and floral notes. The thin-layer drying for 15–20 days preserves delicate aromatics, making it a great choice for filter brewing where you want to taste every nuance.
Regessa's natural process lets the cherry dry around the bean, imparting deep red fruit and candied citrus flavors. The Krume 74158 variety is known for sweetness, and at 2,270 MASL, the coffee develops slowly, concentrating sugars. If you enjoy vivid fruitiness, Regessa delivers.
Brewing Tips for Each Coffee
For Sookoo Tima, use a pour-over method like Hario V60 or AeroPress to highlight its clarity. A medium-fine grind and a 1:16 ratio with water just off boil works well. Because it's washed, it's forgiving if your grind is slightly off.
For Regessa, a slightly coarser grind and lower water temperature (around 200°F) can prevent over-extraction of the natural process's fruitiness. It also shines as a cold brew or in a French press, where its heavy fruit sweetness can be showcased.
Trade-Offs at a Glance
- Sookoo Tima: Clarity vs. Intensity: The washed process yields a clean, tea-like body with layered florals and citrus. However, it may lack the deep fruit sweetness that natural process fans crave. Choose Sookoo Tima for pour-over and filter brewing.
- Regessa: Fruit Sweetness vs. Consistency: Natural process brings bold red fruit and candied citrus, but the cup can be less consistent due to the drying method. The single-farm traceability adds value. Choose Regessa for immersion brews and espresso.
- Roast Level and Versatility: Both are light roasts, which preserve origin character but require proper brewing to avoid sourness. Sookoo Tima is more forgiving for beginners. If you're new to light roasts, start with Sookoo Tima.
Product Facts
- Ethiopia Sookoo Tima: This elegant coffee is a group effort from farmers in the kebeles of Tima in Guji, Ethiopia. Most of the cherries are Gibrinna 74110 and Serto 74112, high quality varieties from the forests of Illubabor, precisely dried in very thin layers for 15-20 days to bring out a stunning clarity of flavor. We tasted blackberry, citrus, apricot, and a beautiful floral sweetness. Origin: Guji, Ethiopia. Process: Washed. If you prioritize clarity and complex florals, this washed coffee delivers a clean, nuanced cup.
- Ethiopia Regessa: It’s rare to find an Ethiopian coffee that’s traceable to a single farm, but April is dedicated to spotlighting incredible individual producers. Regessa owns a 4 hectare farm planted exclusively with the distinctly sweet Krume 74158 variety. We tasted red fruit, florals, and candied citrus. Origin: Sidama, Ethiopia. Process: Natural. Variety: Krume 74158. Elevation: 2,270 MASL. Roast: Light. Bag Size:... This natural coffee offers intense fruit sweetness and traceability, ideal for those who enjoy a bolder, fruit-forward profile.
Which One Should You Choose?
Best for
- Pour-over enthusiasts seeking clarity and floral notes
- Those who enjoy washed Ethiopian coffees with citrus and berry tones
- Brewers who want a forgiving coffee for dialing in
Not for
- Fans of heavy fruit bombs or natural process intensity
- Espresso drinkers looking for chocolate or nutty notes
- Those who prefer dark roasts
