30/12/2020
Ethiopia: The Source Of Coffee
Ancient Ethiopian history claims that an Ethiopian goat herder,Kaldi, first discovered coffee and its magical benefits around 850 AD. Legend has it that he discovered his goats eating the coffee fruit off of the trees and dancing wildly. He was so fascinated by these “magic” beans that he brought them home with him.
01 Kaldi’s Dancing Goats Copy
When Kaldi presented their benefits to a monk, he threw the beans in the fire, proclaiming this magic effect was the work of the devil. Of course, the beans began to roast and the whole room was filled with the fragrance of freshly roasted coffee. (The first signs of brewing coffee as a beverage, however, are from much later.)
The original name for coffee, Kaffa, came from the region in southwest Ethiopia where coffee was first discovered in the wild. Unlike almost every other coffee-growing country, coffee trees grow naturally here.
The Perfect Growing Conditions For Coffee Beans
Ethiopia is the original home of coffee. Coffee trees have grown in the wild here for centuries. The environment is perfect to produce amazing coffee, without adding anything to it. More than a thousand different varietals of coffee grow in Ethiopia. High elevations in the southern mountainous region make for excellent growing conditions.
Freshly Picked Coffee
Source: Flickr, David Uttley
The soil is deep and the vegetation is lush. Most coffees are grown without the use of agricultural chemicals (1) in the shade and among other plants. In contrast, coffee farmers anywhere else in the world have to plant specific types of coffee and create the perfect conditions, like planting additional trees to provide shade for the small coffee trees.
The Flavour Profile Of Ethiopian Beans: What To Expect
Coffee from Ethiopia is known for its bright fruited and floral flavors. These coffees typically have a higher acidity, light to medium body and complex flavor notes.
The beans are either washed or naturally processed.