Thursday, May 31, 2007

Ethiopia and Coffee

It is said that coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia over 1000 years ago. The story goes that an Ethiopian shepard named Kaldi noticed that when his sheep ate red “cherries” from a certain green plant that the sheep would become hyper active. He tried the “cherries” himself and found that he received the same effect. The coffee beans were later developed into a drink, and it has been enjoyed in Ethiopia ever since. Nowadays many people drink coffee, in one form or another, on a daily basis. One of the more popular drinks is a Machiatto; about half coffee, half steamed milk, with sugar added. Many households in Ethiopia have daily coffee ceremonies where neighbors gather to socialize and enjoy hand-roasted coffee and popcorn together.

Whether you are a coffee connisseur or not a big fan, tasting Ethiopian coffee is a must and an important part of the cultural experience while in Ethiopia.

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