It fuels many of us each morning, with an extra rush of energy — coffee. But how did that magical brown drink come to be so ubiquitous? One San Diego restaurant is providing clients with traditional coffee ceremonies and a history lesson.
From no frills black, to lots of cream, sugar and flavorings, coffee can take many forms. But some are more powerful and sacred than others.“This is traditional Ethiopian coffee. This is a coffee ceremony,” said Alemtsehay Dagne, while roasting coffee beans over a specialized pan.“We're here for everybody. This is welcoming for everybody. This is everybody's house,” Dagne said.
They said the ceremonies are a way for them to stay connected to their culture and share it proudly with others.“Coffee, from Kaffa. The place Kaffa — so in the name also,” said Engedaw. “We bring from that area the original one, the organic one. And then we produce here and then serve the community.”This isn’t your average cup of joe. The ceremony is a slow three-cup process meant to fill the senses and to be savored alongside Ethiopian snacks at each step.
“Discussing every issue, anybody's issues,” Engedaw said. “You bring it here, everybody discusses and they'll give you suggestions from their experience.”In traditional Ethiopian coffee, the roasted beans are finely ground directly into the water, so that first cup has a powerful kick.As a general assignment reporter, I report on a wide range of different issues that affect the diverse neighborhoods of San Diego County including business, health, arts & culture and politics.