sharing Ethiopian culture and the original Ethiopian Coffee

The word "Bereka" means "Blessing" in Amharic; a native language of Ethiopia.   

Bereka Coffee is a SPECIALTY COFFEE & TEA COMPANY that was established in 2016 out of our love and desire to share authentic Ethiopian Coffee Culture and original coffee and tea experiences with our community.  Our green beans come from Ethiopia; the birthplace of coffee, and are roasted fresh in Akron Ohio. We use Ethiopian ancient coffee roasting and processing methods to preserve the quality of our coffee. 

OUR VISION

Our vision is to provide roast to order organic coffee and share an excellent social connection opportunity through a coffee culture known as "The Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony".  Growing up in Ethiopia, we saw these experiences as expression of hospitality and friendship. We are so excited to be a part of the beauty of cultural diversity in our community.

THE HISTORY COFFEE IN ETHIOPIA

It is believed coffee was first discovered in the Ethiopian ancient kingdom of Kaffa around the 9th century. The story of an Ethiopian goat-herder Kaldi who one day noticed his goats behaving erratically when eating yellow and red berry like fruits.

Following his curiosity, Kaldi reported his findings to the priest of the local monastery, who made a drink with the berries and found that it kept him alert through the long hours of evening prayer. The priest shared his discovery with everyone at the monastery, and knowledge of the energizing berries began to spread.

As word moved east and coffee reached the Arabian Peninsula, it began a journey which would bring these beans across the globe.

ETHIOPIAN COFFEE CULTURE (COFFEE CEREMONY)

The Ethiopian coffee ceremony is an important part of the social and cultural life in Ethiopia. An invitation to attend a coffee ceremony is considered a mark of friendship and an excellent gesture of hospitality. 

Preparing and sharing Ethiopian traditional cup of coffee can take about a couple of hours. It is a sensory experience and most important social connection that strengthens communities. 

The ceremony is usually conducted by a woman, dressed in the traditional Ethiopian outfit YAGER LIBS mostly handmade white dress with colored woven borders. The process begins with washing and roasting the beans on a pan. When the coffee beans are roasted, the pan is taken to the guests for a smell of the aroma. This is a significant part of the ceremony as the aroma of fresh roasted beans is simulating. 

The coffee beans are then grinded in a traditional mortar MUKECHA before putting them in a clay coffee pot JEBENA in which the coffee would be brewed and poured out of.

Traditional Ethiopian coffee is served with aromatic incense, usually frankincense and myrrh.  The room is filled with the aroma of coffee and incense igniting conversations. The first cup of coffee- ABOL followed by second round- TONA then the final cup of coffee BEREKA would be served accordingly.

Coffee holds a sacred place in Ethiopia. In addition to its social importance, the growing and picking process of coffee involves over 12 million Ethiopians and produces over two-thirds of the country's earnings.

Thank you for taking time to get to know us. Connect with us by sharing your experience HERE