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Coffee was born in Ethiopia. And in Ethiopia, coffee is never just a drink — it's a ritual, a gathering, a way of saying you matter enough to sit with me for a while.
That ritual has a name: buna. The Amharic word for coffee, and the heart of Ethiopian daily life.
What Happens During a Coffee Ceremony?
The Ethiopian coffee ceremony — buna tetu, meaning "drink coffee" — is one of the longest and most intentional coffee rituals in the world. It's typically performed by a woman of the household and can last up to two hours.
Here's how it unfolds:
- The green beans are washed and roasted over an open flame in a flat pan, stirred continuously until they turn dark and fragrant. Guests lean in to smell the smoke — this is part of the ceremony.
- The roasted beans are ground by hand using a wooden mortar and pestle (mukecha and zenezena), filling the room with the scent of fresh coffee.
- The coffee is brewed in a clay pot called a jebena — a round-bottomed vessel with a long neck and a straw filter. Water is brought to a boil, the grounds are added, and the coffee steeps slowly.
- The coffee is poured from a height into small handleless cups called sini, creating a light foam. No milk. No sugar unless you want it — though many Ethiopians drink it with a pinch of salt or a sprig of rue (tena adam).
- Three rounds are served. The first, abol, is the strongest. The second, tona, is slightly lighter. The third, baraka, means blessing — and drinking all three is considered good luck.
Why Does It Matter?
The ceremony isn't about caffeine. It's about connection. In Ethiopia, being invited to a coffee ceremony is a sign of friendship and respect. You sit, you talk, you slow down. Neighbours come. Stories are shared.
In a world of takeaway cups and 60-second espresso shots, buna is a radical act of presence.
Experience It at Eskedar Coffee
At Eskedar Coffee in Vilnius, we bring the full ceremony to you — roasting, grinding, brewing, and serving in the traditional way. It's the same ritual, the same clay pot, the same three rounds.
Whether you come alone or bring someone with you (hint: use code DRAUGAS30 for 30% off a second ticket), the ceremony is an hour you won't forget.
