How to Order Coffee in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is where coffee began. The story of Kaldi the goatherd discovering coffee's effects in the Kaffa region is likely legend, but what is certain is that Ethiopia is the origin point of Coffea arabica, the species that produces almost all of the world's specialty coffee. Experiencing coffee in Ethiopia connects you to that history in a direct way.

The coffee ceremony

The Ethiopian coffee ceremony is one of the world's great food rituals. Green coffee beans are roasted in a pan over a flame, ground by hand, and brewed in a clay pot called a jebena. The coffee is served in three rounds: the first (abol) is the strongest, the second (tona) is moderate, and the third (baraka, meaning blessing) is the lightest. The ceremony is a gesture of respect and hospitality and should not be rushed.

Buna

Buna is the Amharic word for coffee and the name used for the drink in everyday contexts. It is traditionally served strong and sweet, often accompanied by popcorn or bread. Ordering buna in a cafe or restaurant will get you the standard preparation.

Coffee regions and flavors

Ethiopian coffees vary dramatically by region. Yirgacheffe produces coffees known for their floral, jasmine, and bergamot character. Sidamo coffees tend toward fruit and citrus notes. Harrar coffees have a wild, complex character that is like nothing else in the coffee world. You can experience these differences most clearly in specialty cafes in Addis Ababa that serve single origin from specific regions.

Modern coffee culture in Addis

Addis Ababa has a growing specialty coffee scene run by Ethiopian entrepreneurs who are building a culture of quality around the country's extraordinary coffee heritage. Tomoca, one of the oldest coffee shops in the country, is a starting point, but the newer generation of specialty cafes in Bole and Kazanchis are where the future is being built.

Explore the Addis Ababa coffee map for where to experience Ethiopian coffee at its best.

Related reading: coffee growing regions, coffee processing methods.

Ethiopian specialty cafes count toward Pulled Coffee exploration challenges.