Ethiopia Fact: Coffee
We’ve been learning a lot about Ethiopia in recent weeks, and we thought it’d be fun to share some of our newfound knowledge with you, so we are launching an “Ethiopian Fact of the Week” here on the blog. As we explore this country and culture through books and websites, we are growing excited to travel to this land in person. It’s a land of great beauty and rich history.
We’ll start with a fun fact that has drawn Ethiopia dear to our hearts. So here is Ethiopia Fact #1: Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee!
According to Ethiopian legend, a young goatherd in the Kaffa region first discovered the effects of wild coffee berries over 1,000 years ago. An Epicurean.com article offers this explanation of the tale: “After discovering his goats to be excited, almost dancing on their hind legs, . . . He tried the berries himself and rushed home to his wife who told him that he must tell the monks. The monks tossed the sinful drug into the flames, . . . Within minutes the monastery filled with the heavenly aroma of roasting beans, and the other monks gathered to investigate. After sitting up all night, they found a renewed energy to their holy devotions. The rest, as they say, is history.” (Check here for the entire article about Ethiopia and coffee.)
While this legend may be debatable, the roasting and brewing of coffee beans did, in fact, start in Ethiopia. Today, coffee is Ethiopia’s #1 export, generating around 60% of its total export earnings.
Coffee also plays a strong role culturally, as Ethiopians often perform a coffee ceremony for friends and guests who come to their homes. (Something we have in common with our Ethiopian friends!) But here is areal stroke of genius: The Ethiopians traditionally serve POPCORN along with their coffee.
Popcorn and coffee together. Could there be a more perfect union?
Excuse me, I think I need to make a trip to the kitchen for a moment . . .
(Editor’s note: For those of you who may not know, Amy is rather fond of popcorn. As in, she’s the only person in North America who has actually had to replace TWO popcorn appliances because she uses them so frequently for late-night snacks.)