The Ethiopian coffee ceremony is a daily, community-centered ritual that celebrates connection and tradition.
Each ceremony includes roasting, grinding and brewing beans by hand, followed by three rounds of coffee shared between friends and family.
Compassion centers in Ethiopia use this tradition to help mothers build friendships, find support and grow together.
What Is the Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony?
No one knows how coffee brings people together quite like the Ethiopians. In this beautiful country, the birthplace of coffee, families enjoy piping hot cups each day.
The Ethiopian coffee ceremony is a traditional social event meant to bring families and communities together. Also called Buna, which is Amharic for coffee, this ceremony is a daily ritual that involves roasting, grinding and brewing coffee beans to then serve to guests, family and friends.
The ceremony is led by women and includes three distinct rounds of coffee: abol, tona and baraka. Each round is less concentrated than the one before. As the coffee is served, friends and family will often discuss life and what’s happening in the community.
The Legend of Ethiopian Coffee
The coffee bean was first discovered in the Kaffa region of Ethiopia around A.D. 800. According to legend, a goat herder named Kaldi discovered the bean by way of his goats. When the goats ate the red fruit from the coffee tree, they became hyperactive, which made Kaldi curious enough to try it himself.
Excited by the surge of energy the fruit gave him, Kaldi took some fruit to a nearby monastery to show the monks. However, instead of sharing in his joy, the monks rebuked Kaldi, believing the fruit to be evil. Then they threw the beans into a burning fire.
As the fruit started to burn, the monks enjoyed the aroma so much that they decided to forgive Kaldi and give the coffee beans a chance. They discovered that by chewing the roasted beans before their nightly prayers, they were able to stay awake and alert.
Sometime later, they learned that the roasted bean could also be ground and brewed into a hot drink. Buna or coffee was born.
See How Ethiopian Coffee Is Made
Ethiopian coffee isn’t brewed with a coffee machine. Instead, this coffee starts with beans roasted over an open fire. See how Ethiopian coffee is made by watching this video featuring women and families at one of our Compassion centers.
Want to learn how to make Ethiopian coffee at home? Check out this recipe!
Photos: Experience an Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony
Wondering what a coffee ceremony is like? Journey with us to beautiful Africa and experience it for yourself through must-see photos.
The Ethiopian coffee ceremony commonly starts by washing coffee beans to remove their husks and other debris. The beans are then roasted in a long-handled pan on a small fire. The beans are shaken rhythmically in the pan to prevent scorching.
As the beans heat, they darken, become shiny with their own oils and start to pop. At this point, the hostess removes the beans from the heat and waves the pan to create an aromatic breeze for her guests to enjoy.
She’ll pound the roasted coffee beans into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle. The coffee grounds are then put into boiling water in a special local coffee pot called a jebena, which is made of clay.
The jebena sits for about three minutes to let the powder settle at the bottom before the hostess pours the coffee into cups. The hostess prepares a beautiful setting for the coffee, often including grass, flowers and snacks.
Guests are served popcorn, peanuts or traditional bread as a snack to accompany their coffee. Sometimes, the hostess will toss the popcorn with a small amount of sugar.
In Ethiopia, coffee is served in small cups in three rounds. The first round is called abol. After it’s served, the second round is prepared by pouring water into the same jebena and boiling it again. This round of coffee, called tona, is less concentrated.
Finally, the third round, baraka, is similarly prepared. This time, the coffee is much weaker, perfect for children to sip. With each round, those gathered talk, laugh and relax while sipping from their cups.
Coffee Builds Connection Through Compassion
Compassion’s Survival program exists to support moms and babies living in poverty through practical care and emotional support. The coffee ceremony is a key part of our Survival program in Ethiopia, helping bring mothers together and reminding them they’re not alone.
Mothers meet for coffee at our Compassion centers to learn about the Bible, attend trainings, play with their children and simply get to know each other. As they gather and connect, they find friendship, guidance and encouragement — three important things every mom needs.
Want to help vulnerable moms and babies thrive? Give to Compassion’s Survival program.
The Ethiopian coffee ceremony is a daily rhythm of connection. From the roasting of the beans to the three rounds of conversation-filled sipping, the tradition highlights the importance of community. And as mothers in Compassion’s Survival program gather around the jebena, they experience the gift of belonging, finding strength in each cup.