The Coffee Ceremony

There are a lot of great things about Ethiopia, but probably one of the best things is the food. Most meals are eaten without utensils. If you've ever been to an Ethiopian restaurant, you know that they use pieces of "injeera," a sort of spongy tortilla, to scoop up their food, which is often various forms of stew made with lentils, rice and meat. And spices! It's yummy! They're quite proficient at using injeera, but they know we aren't, so they usually provided us with spoons so we could at least get the food in our mouths without dropping it.
One of the coolest things is the "coffee ceremony" that accompanies the main meal of the day. Ethiopians believe they invented coffee, certainly they grow some of the best on the planet. But the way they prepare and serve it is really unique. First there is the hand-washing ceremony: someone goes around with a pitcher and basin and you wash your hands. Then the preparer lights a charcoal fire in a little brazier and the raw coffee beans are roasted and taken around in a little pan for you to appreciate. You fan the aroma toward your nose and smile. Next the coffee beans are ground while the water is set to boiling on the brazier. During all this, the meal starts, and you are served injeera and various stews and other dishes while you chat about the day's events. Then, boiling water is poured over the grounds and the resulting coffee is better than any espresso you have ever tasted! They pour it in a demi-tasse cup over sugar and give you a little spoon.
It is an honor to be invited to a coffee ceremony. There are three rounds of coffee served. Each cup has a special meaning. The third cup is the "blessing cup," meaning a special blessing is bestowed upon you when you drink it.