Physical and organoleptic characteristics of <scp>Limmu</scp> coffee landraces, southwestern <scp>Ethiopia</scp>

Abstract Background Coffee ( Coffea arabica L.) is one of the world's most valuable agricultural commodities, with Ethiopia recognized for producing high‐quality Arabica coffee. Limmu landrace coffees are prized for their distinctive flavor profiles; however, systematic evaluation of their raw and cup quality traits remains limited. This study aimed to assess the physical, sensory, and total quality of selected Limmu coffee genotypes to identify superior lines for specialty market development and breeding programs. Eleven entries (nine Limmu landraces and two standard checks) were evaluated across Jimma, Agaro, and Gera from 2019 to 2022 using a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications under washed processing. Results Significant ( p &lt; 0.05) variation among genotypes and locations was observed for most traits, except screen size and odor. Bean screen retention ranged from 92.7% to 99.0%, and raw quality from 35.3% to 38.2%. Cup quality attributes showed notable differentiation: acidity (7.14–8.50), bitterness (3.86–4.67), body (6.67–7.61), flavor (7.00–8.33), and overall quality (7.10–8.50). Total quality scores ranged from 81.3% to 89.2%, classifying all entries as “Very good and highly acceptable.” Landrace L12/05 consistently expressed a distinctive spicy typicity and high body, whereas L20/03 excelled in acidity, flavor, and overall cup quality across all sites, demonstrating superior sensory stability and genetic potential for specialty coffee markets. Conclusion The consistent high performance of L12/05 and L20/03 highlights their suitability for premium‐grade coffee production and varietal improvement. These findings emphasize the combined influence of genotype and environment on Limmu coffee quality and provide a foundation for targeted breeding strategies. Future research should integrate biochemical profiling, yield assessment, and multi‐year environmental evaluations to enhance quality prediction, resilience, and sustainability under changing climatic conditions.