On a recent visit to Ethiopia, I was treated to an authentic Ethiopian Coffee ceremony, in the village of Alhamer. According to legend, Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, and whether that is true or not, the Ethiopians certainly celebrate coffee as part of their daily ritual, as witnessed by this elaborate ceremony. Women will perform this ceremony for guests or visitors to their homes, in this instance a thatched hut in a small village.
Often though they will also make coffee for friends or family as well using the same steps and equipment. Green coffee beans are washed, and then roasted in a skillet over an open fire. The fire is made with a charcoal fuel and the smoke is flavored with incense. The roasting process is very aromatic, and the beans will make popping sounds as they go from green to light brown and eventually to a rich, dark brown in color.
After the beans are roasted, they are placed into a wooden bowl and ground with a hammer. This is a very physical activity, which takes some practice, as I’ve seen western tourists attempt the chore without much success.
Tomorrow I’ll post the 2nd half of this series of photos, where the coffee is brewed and served. So stay tuned!
It is so nice.I got when we including my friends are preparing presentation for Millennium Celebration, In south Africa.
We don’t have utensils for this so you prepare from this dite to show the forefingers.
it is nice keep it.
This is a great insight, and that coffee looks delicious! You can almost taste/smell it. I think this is partly because of the excellent quality of your photographs. Thankyou for sharing your experience.
curious where you may have ventured in ethiopia? any good foods, places to eat, wher did you find the best coffee ceremony?thx:)
I’ve been to Ethiopia half a dozen times, and the coffee is great just about everywhere. The particular ceremony I photographed here was in a very small village in the Benishengul region on the very western border of Ethiopia, and it was one of the best in terms of authentic dress and utensils. Very good food in Addis, of course, but great food all over the country. Are you planning a trip keavy?
Dear Readers,
I am one of the tour operator and tour organizer in Ethiopia, And I can give you my witness that almost all of the tourists that I took to the Ethiopian coffee ceremony, Non of them pass with out admiring.
And now the coffee ceremony is becoming one of the attraction and unique Identity of Ethiopia. As Ethiopia give the coffee to the world. Come and visit the gifted land, then be part of the others who admire Ethiopia.
Temesgen,
ttt.tomtour@gmail.com