Ultimate Guide to Ethiopia Coffee Culture and How to Experience It

Loving coffee is one thing, but the Ethiopia coffee culture gets you in for an authentic coffee experience. Unlike most modern coffee, the coffee is made from beans directly from Ethiopia’s wild forest. Therefore, experiencing it allows you to step into their daily life, culture, and traditions. Plus, visitors have options to immerse themselves in Ethiopia coffee culture through a coffee tour.

So, from joining a traditional coffee ceremony to walking through lush coffee farms, this guide was made to help you experience Ethiopia coffee culture the appropriate way.

Keep reading to see what’s in it for you.

Why Ethiopian Coffee Is Unique

Ethiopian coffee is beyond using beans to make a drink. Its uniqueness started from the legend of Kaldi, a goat herder from Kenya. Kaldi noticed his goats dancing after eating red berries. The important part in this legend is, coffee grows wild in Ethiopia’s forest. Most coffee-producing countries import seeds and grow them commercially, but in Ethiopia, you will find thousands of native coffee varieties. Plus, these varieties have developed naturally over centuries. This makes the flavour richer and often unpredictable in the best way.

How to Experience Ethiopia Coffee Culture as a Visitor

An Ethiopian coffee tour sets you out to witness how coffee is deeply rooted in the land, tradition, and human connection. In rural communities, you will find the locals hand-picking coffee beans, sun-drying them, and roasting them in small batches. With different regions preparing Ethiopian coffee in their style, you will find wine-like, chocolatey, citrusy, and more flavours without any artificial flavouring. Nevertheless, let’s see how visitors experience Ethiopia coffee culture.

Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony

The Ethiopian coffee ceremony is a ceremony where people sit together, talk, and connect while making coffee. The ceremony usually takes place in local homes or any small gathering place. It involves a woman, who is often the host, who leads the whole ceremony process.

Simply put, the lady washes fresh coffee beans, roasts them over an open flame, and then grinds them by hand. Finally, the coffee is brewed in a traditional clay pot known as Jebena. While the coffee brews, the host fills the air with sweet smoke by burning frankincense.

Cultural norms during the ceremony

• Wear modest clothing, and the most appreciated outfit is traditional Ethiopian attire.
• Expect to sit on a mat or carpet around a low-level table. While the seating might look random, older guests or respected people are given the best spots as a sign of honour.
• Try as much as possible to network with the locals. Relax and enjoy as many stories as you can from them. But make sure to avoid interrupting the host or others while they speak.
• Right before the coffee is served, a bowl of water and a towel will be offered to everyone so they can wash their hands.
• Coffee is enjoyed in three rounds. The first cup is called Abol, the second Tona, and the third Baraka. Most visitors drink all three rounds, but you can take fewer if you prefer.

Guest etiquette at the ceremony

• Firstly, pay attention to the customs. Respect the host, older guests, and everyone else, and be polite throughout the ceremony.
• Going to an Ethiopian coffee ceremony means you were invited. Therefore, it is a kind gesture to bring a gift for the host. The gift can be something as simple as snacks, fruit, or a bunch of flowers.
• Make sure you use your right hand when drinking your coffee, as well as when giving or receiving anything. This is a strong Ethiopian custom, and going against it may make you look odd.
• Don’t forget to say thank you when the ceremony is over. As usual, it’s just a way to show appreciation for their warm welcome.

Addis Ababa Coffee Tour

One thing about Addis Ababa is how the city perfectly mixes tradition and modern life. Its coffee culture also reflects the nature of the city, where you will find stylish cafes sitting next to old, cosy coffee houses. Plus, you can also have first-hand experience with the coffee beans, which are sold in their lively markets.

Addis Ababa has a lot of coffee cafés. One of its best is the YA Coffee Roasters. This spot is known for sourcing its beans from forest-protected areas, which means it is a great place to have the true Ethiopian coffee.

Another must-visit spot is the Wild Coffee Roasters, which is not only unique for working with forest beans but also has a focus on sustainability. Nevertheless, most coffee shops you will visit in Addis Ababa have the same mission of delivering the purest, most honest version of Ethiopian coffee into your hands.

Coffee Farm Visits in Sidama and Yirgacheffe

A trip to the coffee-growing highlands of Sidama and Yirgacheffe is all about experiencing how coffee is carefully grown, harvested, and prepared, all by hand. These areas are located in the lush, green hills of southern Ethiopia. Therefore, the experience includes receiving fresh air while viewing stunning scenery. Here, you will see the farmers picking the cherries, drying them, and washing the beans.

One thing to note is that Yirgacheffe is a small part of the larger Sidama region. However, the flavour produced by these regions can be surprisingly different. Yirgacheffe coffee is considered more expensive because it is known to have a fruity taste that many people love. Sidama coffee isn’t lower in quality; it is also a rich and delicious coffee.

Ethiopian Coffee Museum

All the coffee tours without making a stop at the region where coffee is believed to have been born would make the trip seem incomplete. Therefore, a visit to the Ethiopian Coffee Museum in Kafa should be on your bucket list.

The museum is all about giving visitors a full picture of how coffee started, especially in Ethiopia. One interesting story you will learn about is the Coffea arabica. The Coffea arabica is the original coffee plant, which became a part of Ethiopian culture and daily life.

You will also find ancient tools and archaeological materials displayed at the museum. Currently, the museum is being developed to be a hub for coffee research and education. Plus, you will find a ranger station and information centre, which are available to connect you with the natural beauty of the Kafa Biosphere Reserve.

Lake Tana

A visit to Lake Tana allows you to experience the largest lake in Ethiopia. Plus, it’s a place full of life and history. Apart from being a source of the Blue Nile and surrounded by lush landscapes, the island has patches of original forest where wild coffee still grows naturally. If you are a bird lover, you will also find varieties of both local and migratory birds, including the Wattled Crane and the Northern Crowned Crane. Because of its biodiversity and culture, this place was named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in June 2015.

Ethiopian Coffee Varietals

Arabica

Arabica is the most popular coffee grown in Ethiopia. This coffee is loved for its soft, complex flavour. It also has a hint of flowers and fruit.

Typica

Typica is a flavour coffee that is known for its strong and bold taste. It has a taste of dark chocolate and a spicy flavour. It grows in high places in Ethiopia and will be perfect for you if you want a coffee with a rich and intense flavour.

Heirloom

Heirloom is the name given to many local varieties of coffee grown all across Ethiopia. From fruity taste to nutty or chocolaty notes, heirloom flavours vary depending on where they’re from. It is best for coffee roasters who enjoy trying new things.

Gesha

Gesha is a relatively newer coffee variety in Ethiopia that has a flavour similar to jasmine and bergamot. It will be perfect for you if you like tea-like or floral coffee taste.

Final Thought

The steps woven into making Ethiopian coffee carry the warmth of tradition and culture. From getting beans from wild forests of Kafa to grinding roasted beans and brewing in a clay pot, Ethiopia coffee culture is truly a gem. Hopefully, visitors are welcome to sip coffee at bustling cafes of Addis Ababa or share laughter during an Ethiopian coffee ceremony. No matter what you engage in, make sure to immerse yourself in the culture and, last but not least, enjoy the extraordinary coffee taste.