What is the Kudhum coffee varietal?

Kudhum is an Ethiopian heirloom variety primarily associated with the Guji zone, where it's one of the named local selections grown by smallholder farmers at altitude. In Yirgacheffe, a closely related or identical variety is sometimes called Kurume - reflecting regional naming variation rather than a distinct genetic difference.

Like other Ethiopian heirlooms, Kudhum is a naturally occurring, generationally selected population rather than a formally bred cultivar. At high altitude in Guji, it's known for sweet, floral, complex cups that contribute to the reputation those coffees have built in international specialty markets.

The Kudhum/Kurume distinction illustrates something broader about Ethiopian varietals: the same or very closely related material gets different names depending on which zone it's grown in, who catalogued it, and when. Genetic testing has confirmed significant overlap across many named Ethiopian varieties. The names are useful for traceability even if the genetic boundaries are sometimes blurry.