The Flowerstalk Tea room is in the Flowerstalk Florist Shop. Tuesday I attend an Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony there. The American Women’s Club has monthly coffee meetings and today was not the usual coffee meeting. Instead it was a sharing of hospitality.
The Ethiopian coffee ceremony is a part of the social and cultural life in Ethiopia. The young lady roasted coffee beans over a very small charcoal pit. She then moved around the room letting us smell the beans…. very nice aroma. Next she put the beans in the most beautiful coffee pot with a long neck and then simmered the pot over the small charcoal pit.
The coffee was served in very small cups with no sugar or cream and was delicious. It was not strong or weak but very pleasant. The coffee was served with bowls of popcorn and roasted grain. NO individual dishes but everyone sharing from the same bowl. This is considered a way of sharing and a mark of friendship or respect. There is no hurry and it is definitely ceremonial. Thus far probably the most relaxing and interesting coffee I have attended!
