Ethiopian coffee, in Ethiopia

[2shot]

I am going to Ethiopia next week. I expect to have a few interesting coffee experiences with locals.

I wonder if any CSers have any experiences/tips for coffee in Ethiopia.

Besides coffee, Ill will have to check out what fresh khat is like. Ive heard that khat is now a bigger crop in Ethiopia than coffee, not sure if this is true.  

[Andy]

Re: Ethiopian coffee, in Ethiopia

I have heard from a couple of people in Ethiopia that khat is taking over. Its also running peoples lives as they live from "hit" to hit, making them lazy and they pounce on the khat dealers as they come into town with fresh stuff.

So from a social aspect, khat sounds bad. From a coffee perspective its even worse as small holder farmers are pulling up great cofee trees and planting the faster growing khat.

Im sure you will have some great coffee with locals and Im sure I speak for all in saying bring back plenty of photos and stories".

Have a great trip!

[kotaro]

Re: Ethiopian coffee, in Ethiopia

I have heard from a couple of people in Ethiopia that khat is taking over.  Its also running peoples lives as they live from "hit" to hit, making them lazy and they pounce on the khat dealers as they come into town with fresh stuff.

So from a social aspect, khat sounds bad.  From a coffee perspective its even worse as small holder farmers are pulling up great cofee trees and planting the faster growing khat.

Im sure you will have some great coffee with locals and Im sure I speak for all in saying bring back plenty of photos and stories".

Have a great trip!

This doesnt sound too good.
I like my harrar

although, have a great time 2shot!!
Id love to travel to Africa one day.

[2shot]

Re: Ethiopian coffee, in Ethiopia

Thanks!

Yes I have heard that the cultivation of khat has been increasing and in some places (eg Yemen) it is even causing water shortages. It is mostly a male pursuit and it is women that have been active in trying to reduce the khat consumption as the males are spending too much time and money on it.

I can imagine the quick cash from growing khat is going to attract some of the coffee growers... this cant be good.

Ill be on the look out and hope I can help demonstrate that the world appreciates their coffee!

[gbatterley]

Re: Ethiopian coffee, in Ethiopia

I come from a place in the UK where I worked as a community mental health nurse in Sheffield which has a large Somali community where lots of people chew Khat. I did some research on it, chewed some myself, and spoke to Somalis who use it. Its been used for centuries in Africa, it isnt physically addictive and, like a lot of drugs (including caffeine) in its proper place and used responsibly isnt particularly harmful. Like every drug it can be misused and cause problems - though in the case of Khat the associated problems are nothing like the devastation alcohol causes in the UK on a daily basis.
I can appreciate in this particular instance where its being grown in place of coffee and being abused it doesnt sound great.