Coffee ceremony

Coffee Ceremony

The Coffee Ceremony is a ritualized form of making and drinking coffee. The coffee ceremony is one of the most recognizable parts of Ethiopian culture and Eritrean culture. Coffee is offered when visiting friends, during festivities, or as a daily staple of life. If coffee is politely declined, then most likely tea will be served.

History

The coffee ceremony is believed to have originated from the Kaffa Region of Ethiopia where the coffee plant, Coffea arabica, originates. The ceremony is also a significant part of Eritrean culture.

Process

The process of the coffee ceremony can take up to two hours and is performed three times a day. It involves roasting coffee beans and preparing boiled coffee in a vessel akin to the ibrik used in other parts of the Middle East. This is followed by the grinding of the beans, traditionally in a wooden mortar and pestle.

Equipment

The equipment is a crucial part of the ceremony. The brewing pot (jebena), a clay pot with a round bottom and a straw lid, is particularly important. Other equipment includes the roasting pan (menkeshkesh), a narrow-necked bottle (berele), and small, handleless cups (cini).

Significance

The coffee ceremony is a significant part of Ethiopian and Eritrean societies. It is a symbol of hospitality and respect, and is a time for the community to come together and share news and stories.

See also

• Ethiopian cuisine
• Eritrean cuisine
• Culture of Ethiopia
• Culture of Eritrea