Get a Different Kind of Coffee Fix at This Eritrean & Ethiopian Coffee Event, Aug 26
Take a break from the lines at Starbucks or delivery from Luckin this weekend and get your coffee fix from a different kind of coffee making, with a traditional Ethiopian/Eritrean coffee ceremony. Happening this Saturday at JinShang Yuan, it’s an event that goes beyond just a bit of coffee – delving deep into tradition and ceremony.
As opposed to just a simple dip down to the local café – or massive faceless brand store – for an Americano, both Ethiopia and Eritrea’s coffee ceremonies are extended affairs, during which the beans are roasted, ground, brewed in special pots, and served strong for guests.
The event will be presented by Sossi, an Ethiopian expat who has been living and working in Beijing for ten years, and Martha Woldu of Eritrea, an artist who originally came to Beijing to study oil painting at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, and who has remained ever since.
First off, what are the similarities and differences between Ethiopia and Eritrean coffee?
All things about coffee, from the beans to the preparation and ceremony, are almost the same in both countries except one detail: the variation of the jebena (traditional coffee pot). In Eritrea, the jebena has one spout, and in Ethiopia it has an additional spout used for pouring out the coffee.
What got you both interested in your countries’ coffee traditions?
Sossi: Martha and I have been friends for so long that we’ve became as close as sisters. And by promoting our cultures, food, coffee, etc., we want to show the beauty, unity and diversity through our events.
Coffee is an everyday delight to us and a very important event in an Eritrean/Ethiopian household as it brings people to connect and enjoy the coffee together. I love coffee, and since I come from its place of origin, I thought coffee lovers would be interested in learning the unique coffee traditions in Eritrea and Ethiopia and tastes of real coffee while experiencing the traditional ceremony.
What is coffee typically served with in Ethiopia and Eritrea?
In Eritrea and Ethiopia coffee is served in small cups accompanied by salty popcorn, himbasha (or ambasha) – a flatbread flavored with sugar and various spices – and other traditional snacks. We usually drink three rounds of coffee, from strong to lighter tasting coffee.
Are there any particular varieties from each country worth trying if people can get them on their own? Which one will be used during your ceremony?
Both countries use the same varieties of coffee beans, like Yirgacheffee, which has a lighter, fruit-forward flavor, and Sidamo, which is creamy and floral with medium acidity. For this event, we’ll be using Yirgacheffe coffee beans.
What else can people expect to find on Saturday afternoon?
On Saturday we will have a traditional coffee ceremony, traditional breakfast buffet, Ethiopian/Eritrean products and other products, vendors and performances like Eritrean/Ethiopian dances and others. Some beautiful paintings and art pieces will be displayed as well.
The Eritrean & Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony With Traditional Breakfast will be happening on Sat, Aug 26, 2-5pm on the terrace at JinShang Yuan. Tickets are RMB 149 (early bird) or RMB 169 (at door). Tickets can be purchased by scanning the QR code in the poster above.
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Images: Unsplash, courtesy of the organizers
