Coffee and writing are partners-in-crime. Imagine this scene: a writer is tapping continuously on his laptop as he draws invisible words from his thoughts onto digital paper. She pauses to find the right words for the next sentence. Nothing is coming. She reaches out and picks up a steaming cup of coffee. The aroma tingles her senses and her first sip brings a smile to her face and she immediately continues the incessant tapping.
That’s the magic of coffee for me when I wake up in the wee hours of 4am to write a post. It stimulates my mind for the rest of the morning. A cup of coffee in the morning is enough for the rest of the day. I have drank different types of coffee all hailing from different countries; Brazil, Colombia and the United States are but a few. Then I got a precious gift of Ethiopian coffee from my friend Edward who took a work trip there last year. It was a stunning experience! Take it from me. The aroma was seductive and the taste was a rich, chocolate-like flavor which was appealingly different from anything I had ever tasted.
The Internet tells me that the coffee plant originates from the abundantly lush forests of Ethiopia. According to Ethiopian legend, a 9th- Century goat herder by the name of Kaldi discovered that when his goats ate the red coffee fruit, they became all energized! Just like me! Oh wow! I am sure he tried some himself. And here we are today.
Ethiopia is the world’s 7th largest producer of coffee and the top largest in Africa. The revenue from Coffee exports contributes more than 10% of annual government revenue.
Coffee is important to the economy of Ethiopia; around 60% of foreign income comes from coffee, with an estimated 15 million of the population relying on some aspect of coffee production for their livelihood. In 2015, coffee exports brought in $307 million from 73,227.9 tns which exceeded the countries’ expected revenue of $269 million for that year.
From coffee farmers to coffee roasters to coffee packers, the local industry has great potential to grow and be of significant economic value to the country, it’s people and the nation itself.
Here’s How Bosch Packaging is Driving The Coffee Agenda in Ethiopia.
Bosch packaging is helping to drive the coffee agenda by stimulating activity up the value chain through their technology and global expertise.
Vertical Packaging Technology
Quality packaging is very important to preserve the rich flavor of the coffee beans. Did you know coffee beans emit gases for up to five weeks when roasted? Bosch packaging maintains the aromas flavors of the coffee and allows the gas to escape if one wants to retail the coffee on the local and international market.
This video by Bosch tells the story of Ethiopian coffee, from bean to cup and gives a unique snapshot of an industry, on the move.
5 Facts about the coffee industry in Ethiopia
1. Coffee in Ethiopia is made up three main categories: Longberry, Shortberry and Mocha
2. Ethiopian Harrar coffee can have a strong dry edge, winy to fruit like acidity, rich aroma, and a heavy body.
3. One common Ethiopian coffee saying is "Buna dabo naw." This literally translates to "Coffee is our bread."
4. The Coffee and Tea Authority, part of the federal government, handles anything related to coffee and tea.
5. Ethiopian coffee beans that are grown in either the Harar, Sidamo, Yirgacheffe or Limu regions are kept apart and marketed under their regional name
Bosch - Invented For Life
Where do you get your coffee from? Which flavor of coffee do you think is the best? Do share in the comments below.