Near Awash, far from the tropical coffee growing regions, this lovely family invited us to visit their home. The main income-producing commodity of this region is teff – a grain used a great deal in Ethiopia to make a spongy, flat bread called wat. Although this family had almost no material possessions - poverty on a scale that I found difficult to imagine before this trip - they were so kind and generous. Larry’s Coffee sent gifts including soccer balls and art supplies. - 2014, Ethiopia

Our hosts prepared a beautiful coffee ceremony in this lovely round mud hut with an intricately woven straw roof and fresh grass on the floor. As the birthplace of coffee, it is central to the the culture and economy of Ethiopia. In the “coffee ceremony”, beans are roasted in a pan, ground by hand and put in a traditional clay pot known as a Jebena. Water is added and the pot is placed over a fire to brew. The coffee is typically served with sugar and a fragrant herb called “Tena Adam”.

Ethiopia

When the green bean is finally depulped, soaked, and dehulled, the drying and sorting process can begin. In Ethiopia, this is typically done on elevated woven straw mats. There are different grades of green coffee beans that relate to the quality of the beans and the market price. The beans are meticulously sorted to remove any beans that are not up to grade. Often, the sorters will happily sing together as they work ~ Dec 2014, Coffee Delegation with Larry's Coffee to Ethiopia

A coffee bean is actually the seed of a small fruit called a coffee cherry that looks similar to a cranberry. This man is washing the depulping machine that removes the fruit from the coffee bean – the first step in the production of “washed” coffee. (The coffee can also be dried with the fruit on the bean, which is called “natural” or “unwashed” and results in a different flavor profile.) ~ Dec 2014, Coffee Delegation with Larry's Coffee and Coop Coffees to Ethiopia

The Ethiopian people are friendly, welcoming and curious. Children and adults alike loved having their picture taken and especially seeing their photo on the screen of the camera – a rare treat! The children of this village were especially animated and spirited. Although they have next to nothing in material wealth, there is a playfulness and inner happiness in their eyes that is often absent from modern western society. ~ Dec 2014, Coffee Delegation with Larry's Coffee to Ethiopia

Katie Hall Underwood