BUNA TETU

Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a large country of rich diversity, on so many levels which even within a month of traveling around, I still find hard to comprehend. The following is an account of my time in Ethiopia. Looking back to when I first arrived and set myself up in the lively area of the Bole Menhaden. I cannot believe it is now compiled into the following segments.

If you know nothing of Ethiopia in relation to coffee, then three very basic things may smooth your introduction. Coffee Arabica is the only species to be cultivated and exported from Ethiopia. The historical story of how the humble coffee cherry came to be consumed, condemned, and then turned into the ultimate cash commodity usually starts with the Ethiopian goat herder called Kaldi. Folk tale or not, the origins of coffee Arabica species are to be found in Ethiopia, and the ongoing research to account and document new species, is ever present. Finally coffee is not merely the highest hard currency export for the Ethiopia; coffee is literally a day to day drink consumed in a diverse array of coffee social experiences. These include the work place,cafés , breaks in the traditional make shift coffee house, and the humble home coffee ceremony. I have been fortunate to indulge in them all, but will always favor being welcomed into the private coffee ceremonies whether in a beauty salon or a home! So when some says BUNA TETU to you, it is a good sign, take up the invite to drink coffee and talk.