Ethiopian
Coffee ceremony
The
story of coffee has its beginnings in Ethiopia, the original
home of the coffee plant. Among the many legends that have developed
concerning the origin of coffee, one of the most popular account
is that of Kaldi, an Abyssinian goatherd, who lived around AD
850. One day he observed his goats behaving in abnormally exuberant
manner, skipping, rearing on their hind legs and bleating loudly.
He noticed they were eating the bright red berries that grew
on the green bushes nearby. Kaldi tried a few himself, and soon
felt a novel sense of elation. He filled his pockets with the
berries and ran home to announce his discovery to his wife.
'They are heaven-sent,' she declared. 'You must take them to
the Monks in the monastery. 'Kaldi presented the chief Monk
with a handful of berries and related his discovery of their
miraculous effect.' Devil's work!' exclaimed the monk, and hurled
the berries in the fire. Within minutes the monastery filled
with the heavenly aroma of roasting beans, and the other monks
gathered to investigate. The beans were raked from the fire
and crushed to extinguish the embers. The Monk ordered the grains
to be placed in the ewer and covered with hot water to preserve
their goodness. That night the monks sat up drinking the rich
and fragrant brew, and from that day vowed they would drink
it daily to keep them awake during their long, nocturnal devotions.
(back
to Tutu's home page)
