How to Buy and Use an Ethiopian Jebena Coffee Maker

Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, something locals like to tell everyone they meet. Drink remains an important part of daily life and a major economic driver for the country. Unlike other coffee producing countries that export most of their supply, Ethiopia consumes more than half of its own production.

Much of this consumption occurs at home, around a jebena, a style of coffee pot native to Ethiopia and Eritrea. The coffee pot is instantly recognizable by its spherical bottom, long neck and sloping handle, and is usually accompanied by a matot, a straw throne that supports it and prevents it from burning the table, and a small lid that keeps the coffee hot. as much as possible. is made. Handmade from red or black clay, the vessel is seasoned over a charcoal fire and is usually decorated with various patterns engraved or molded on its exterior, some of which may indicate the region where the jebena was produced.

But a Jebena is more than just good looks; Marijuana is one part of a multi-step community brewing process, often led by the matriarch of a household, that is as much about sharing an experience with friends and family as it is about caffeine intake. It is this ritual that makes the jebena so beloved by the people of Ethiopia, as well as those who have left the country, including those who have fled violent conflicts over the years. During the 1970s and 1980s, for example, refugees from the Ethiopian Civil War carried jebenas and related customs around the world. While still an everyday kitchen utensil, the jebena has become a cure for nostalgia and also a link to tradition.

When I first moved to the US in 2008, I wrapped my jebena tightly in my favorite sweater, along with other essentials that Ethiopian mothers pack for children leaving to become students in the diaspora: spice mixes Berbers, stored in the freezer, forever. ruin your ice; raw honey in case you get sick; a handwoven blanket called gabi to keep warm in winter. I knew I would need my jebena to maintain a connection to Ethiopia and its slow, communal coffee-drinking culture, a stark contrast to America’s favorite coffee chains with their disposable paper takeout cups.

Why do you need a soap?

There are so many high-tech ways to brew coffee today that it can make your head spin: V60, siphon, moka pots, French press, drip, espresso machines, Chemex, vacuum. Like some of these other methods, jebena relies on great design and gravity to do the job of brewing and filtering solids, but it doesn’t require pressure, filters, coffee makers, or electricity. After adding ground coffee and hot water to the pot, the jebena leans forward on its small straw holder while the coffee brews, forcing the coffee grounds to sekena, or “sett,” in the curve of the pot. body. The method produces a full-bodied and expressive flavor profile without becoming overpowering or bitter.

Jebena is not for anyone in a hurry. The traditional method involves washing green coffee beans, roasting them in a flat steel tray and pounding them with a mortar and pestle. The brewing ceremony that typically follows can last one to two hours, depending on the group. If you’re in a rush to get to work before a meeting, grab your double espresso. If you want to make your coffee before you wake up, get an automatic dripper. But brewing with a jebena is a compelling reason to take a break from the hustle and bustle of life. Create something special from an otherwise mundane task.

The jebena is especially ideal for serving coffee to a group. Multiple steps in the traditional brewing ceremony are designed to encourage interaction between hosts and guests. Once the coffee beans are roasted, the host shakes them in front of each container to share the aroma. Participants are expected to reciprocate, fanning the smoke into the host’s face in return and giving a nod of approval if the smell is good. Then there is the protocol for the order in which coffee is served, starting with the oldest and going down in age (as I am the youngest in my family, this never bodes well for me). The same coffee grounds can be reused two or even three times, resulting in weaker rounds of coffee as harvesting progresses. There are usually snacks to balance out the caffeine, the most popular being popcorn, popped sorghum, or traditional breads such asbothha and dabo kolo.

In homes across Ethiopia and the diaspora, these coffee ceremonies take place daily, giving families and friends the opportunity to socialize and bond. And during the rare times when it is not in use, the jebena acts as an eye-catching centerpiece, communicating that cultural heritage.

How to use a soap

Whether you wash, roast, and grind your own coffee beans or not, start with a medium grind. Add the coffee and cold water to the jelly; 25 grams of coffee with 150 milliliters of water is enough for a single serving, but most models can hold up to 150 grams of coffee with 900 milliliters of water to serve a group of six. Place the pot on the stove over medium heat and let it sit until the coffee rises up the neck of the pot (this will take less than 10 minutes; you’ll know it’s ready when you hear it rush to the surface). Just when it’s about to boil over, add a few drops of cold water to bring it to a simmer. Grab the pot by the handle (which remains cold) and place the jebena on its small matot, tilting it towards the spout and allowing gravity to take over. Place the lid on top to keep the coffee warm and not disturb the sekena. Once the coffee has settled, which should take about three minutes, pour the coffee steadily into small clay or porcelain cups. If anyone is interested in a second or third round, simply add 150 milliliters of water for each drinker and start the brewing process again. Although methods may vary slightly, these basic concepts are generally agreed upon.

Where to buy a Jebena

Support your local Ethiopian or Eritrean mom-and-pop shops, who probably have some jebenas on hand. There is also a good selection on Etsy and eBay, as well as Ethiopian product websites including Sheromeda. Prices range from $20 to $100, depending on size and decorative complexity.