Coffee Ceremony

A Coffee Ceremony is an important part of the social and cultural life in Ethiopia. Invitation to such a ceremony is considered an honor of friendship or respect. This ceremonial tradition is a relaxing way to spend a few hours and may take place up to three times per day- Morning, noon, and evening. Villagers often meet to drink coffee while they discuss politics, life, and who did what with whom!

Folklore shows the origin of coffee deeply rooted in Ethiopia's history. According to Emily Doyle, the most popular legend involves a goat herder form Kaffa, where the coffee plants frow wild in the forest hills. One afternoon the goat herder found his goats excited, almost dancing on their hind legs. He found mangled coffee branches with bright red berries hanging from each branch. His wife insisted he tell the local monks about his discovery; the monks tossed the sinful drug (coffee beans) into the flames. Soon after they began to smell the aroma of the roasted coffee beans. All the monks tried this new 'drink', stayed up all night drinking coffee, and found they had a renewed energy for holy devotions the next morning. The power of coffee!

Coffee, an important industry in Ethiopia, employees over 12 million Ethiopians and produces about 66% of the country's earnings. The best Ethiopian coffee may be compared to the finest coffee in the world.

Each region in Ethiopia produces coffee with a slightly different taste, depending on the specific altitude and growing conditions. While the Coffee Ceremony may range from plain to very ornate, it is always beautifully ceremonial. Generally the ceremony is conducted by a young woman dressed in traditional Ethiopian costume. To begin, coffee beans are roasted in a flat pan over a small charcoal stove. The roasting coffee aroma mixes with the incense that is always burned during the ceremony to create a relaxing atmosphere. The young woman gently washes the coffee beans in the pan and shakes the husks away. After turning black and shiny the coffee beans are ground using a pestle and long handled mortar. Next, the ground coffee is slowly stirred into the black clay coffee pot ( called a 'jebena'). When the coffee is ready to serve, the eldest person receives the first cup of coffee followed by others present. This tradition connects all the generations. Coffee is served in tiny china cups with lots of sugar. Popcorn and / or peanuts are generally served along with coffee.

I participated in a Coffee Ceremony after dinner at an Ethiopian Cultural restaurant. While enjoying the coffee we were treated to professional dancers performing cultural dances from 8 of the 89 tribes in Ethiopia. Each dance had its own music, costumes, and story told through their dance. Our hosts were excited and proud when their particular tribal dance was performed! What a memorable evening.