Coffee is the national drink of Ethiopia for several good reasons. The country is the largest producer of coffee producer in Africa, and it is the fifth-largest producer of coffee in the entire world to the point that it accounts for 4.2 percent of the global coffee production. Ten percent of Ethiopia’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is from coffee and about 15 million farmers in the country make their livings from growing and producing coffee. The fun fact about the Ethiopian people is that they only export about 50 percent of their coffee production because they love it so much. They enjoy it so much so that they even have what is referred to as a coffee ceremony.
History of Coffee in Ethiopia
It is believed that coffee beans were first discovered around 800 A.D. by the sheep of a goat herder while they were grazing on the red fruit that grows on coffee plants. The herder then noticed that his goats were frolicking, so he took a handful of the mysterious beans to monks that lived nearby who actually destroyed the seeds by throwing them in a fire because they thought they might be sinful. This, of course, is just folklore but interesting, to say the least, and many Ethiopians believe the story to be true.
One thing we know for sure about coffee is that the roasted seeds have a delicious aroma and when they are crushed and put into hot water, they form an amazing drink it gives people a little bit of a kick to their energy level. Back to the folklore, it is believed that the brew that the monks made by tossing them into the fire gave them a type of energy buzz that allowed them to carry on with their daily devotions well into the night. As people began to migrate from region to region and country to country, the popularity of coffee spread throughout Ethiopia and the rest of the world.
The Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony
‘Buna tetu’ is the Ethiopian phrase that means ‘come drink coffee’ And it is a very famous tradition throughout Ethiopia to the point in which some parents will send their children to knock on the doors of neighbors to invite them to come over to share some coffee. It is a way that the Ethiopians use to bond with other people, and it has become a fabric of the society of Ethiopia.
The coffee ceremony of Ethiopia is an integral part of not only their social life but their cultural life as well. When someone receives an invitation to come to a coffee ceremony, it is considered a mark of friendship and respect which is a great example of the hospitality of Ethiopian people. Performing a coffee ceremony is a type of obligatory when a visitor comes to visit no matter what time of the day or night. The ceremony can take up to a few hours so when you are invited to one, you need to plan to relax and enjoy the coffee.
The Ethiopian coffee ceremony consists of roasting coffee beans and preparing boiled coffee in a vessel it is similar to the ibriks that are used to make Turkish coffee. It is usually the woman of a household who prepares and participates in the coffee ceremony that lasts about two to three hours and can be held up to three times a day with one being in the morning, one ceremony at noon, and once again in the evening. It is customary for women to perform a coffee ceremony when welcoming visitors into their homes and during times of celebration throughout the year.
The coffee ceremony has long been considered to be the most important social occasion throughout many villages in Ethiopia, and it shows signs of respect and friendship to those who are invited to the coffee ceremony. Guests gathered together and discuss topics such as politics and things happening in the community as well as gossiping with each other. There is also plenty of praise for the person who performed the ceremony and the delicious coffee brew she creates. The coffee ceremony is very important to the people of Ethiopia and for visitors as well. It has long been a tradition that is not expected to go by the wayside anytime soon since so many people enjoy participating in this type of fun and relaxing ceremony. Whether you are in Ethiopia or in some other place in the world, a coffee ceremony is a great way to meet your neighbors and to spend time with family and friends.
Quality Coffee
It is extremely important for the person performing the coffee ceremony as well as the people who attend it that the coffee brewed is high-quality coffee and, of course, delicious. While there is plenty of delectable, high-quality coffee throughout Ethiopia, people living in other areas of the world may want to perform and participate in their own coffee ceremonies. This means that it is extremely important for those people to have plenty of access to great Ethiopian coffee to brew at the ceremony then enjoy with friends, family members, and neighbors.
It is important to get the very best Ethiopian coffee beans for a coffee ceremony or to simply enjoy on your own without the ceremony in the presence of others. There are many options available when it comes to the best Ethiopian coffee beans, and you can order amazing Organic Ethiopia Sidamo Coffee from Twiga Coffee today!
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