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A Coffee Less Ordinary

Posted Fri, Aug 31, 2007, 12:00 am PDT
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Thanks to Starbucks and its many competitors, we all know there's more than one way to drink coffee. But during my recent visit to Ethiopia, I experienced a whole new preparation of coffee that's different from anything I ever imagined.

Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, so as you can imagine there are numerous rituals built around its preparation and service. Most intriguing was the way coffee, known as bunna, is served in Guarage, the region my girlfriend is from. First, the coffee beans are roasted, and guests are given a whiff to see how nice they smell. Then the beans are brewed and poured into an espresso-sized cup. Then, instead of topping it off with milk, a dollop of spiced butter is stirred in. It sounds weird to us, but my Ethiopian friends thought it was just as weird to have a latte loaded with milk and sugar.

I must admit the first time I tried the coffee it seemed weird to me, but I was trying to make a good impression on my girlfriend's family, so I pretended to like it. The second time, I liked it a little more, and after the third time, I started to crave it. The flavor was so different from the coffee I'm used to, with delicate spices like ginger and cardamom, and a richer, fuller mouth-feel.

Coffee is now grown in many regions of the world, and I'm sure that all regions have their own unique customs and rituals for its preparation. I'd love to hear from readers -- what's the most unusual way you've ever had coffee, and how do you like it best?

Average (555 Ratings): 4 out of 5 stars

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  • 1. Posted by meeteljoeletaxi on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:53 pm PDT

    ew, anything with butter makes me sad.

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  • 2. Posted by mtigger963 on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:53 pm PDT

    in mongolia i believe they use salted yak butter, apparently they can't stand sweet coffee.

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  • 3. Posted by sugarBear on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:54 pm PDT

    butter in coffee is NASTY & indeed very fattening. So, im cool with just coffee & cream.

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  • 4. Posted by lovely day on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:54 pm PDT

    sounds good. where can you get it?

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  • 5. Posted by irhynds on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:54 pm PDT

    I hope to try it myself one day, sounds worth trying.

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  • 6. Posted by David on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:55 pm PDT

    No recipe for everyone? That's it, an Ethopian way to eat coffee? Nice, I guess. But, not front page worthy.

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  • 7. Posted by kielikello on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:55 pm PDT

    Straight, no milk, no sugar. Coffee, if it's good, needs no adornment.

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  • 8. Posted by Cleo The Psychic on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:55 pm PDT

    I think I will try this tomorrow morning.

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  • 9. Posted by jrmhtorrevillas on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:55 pm PDT

    Another item added in my coffee list... scrumptious

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  • 10. Posted by violan17 on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:55 pm PDT

    My heritage puts sour cream in our coffee

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  • 11. Posted by chrishlo on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:55 pm PDT

    Coffee with lemon and sugar

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  • 12. Posted by perplectica on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:56 pm PDT

    what's next? tea with mayonaise?

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  • 13. Posted by para_anuloma on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:56 pm PDT

    Wow, let me get the recipe and I will try it. Back in SouthIndia, my place, we drink Coffee with Cinnamon sticks,cardomom and some longpepper and when I mentioned it here, people looked at me with askance. People do react to what they perceive as the "truth behind things" and what is "best". Shreeram Balijepalli

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  • 14. Posted by wishiwerethere on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:56 pm PDT

    Actually..that sounds delicious.

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  • 15. Posted by Eric S on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:56 pm PDT

    Neat - like butter tea. I wonder what spices are in the butter. I know the flavours savoured were ginger and cardamom, but can the author confirm that this are in fact the spices used in the preparation of that "dollop"?

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  • 16. Posted by Chorby Vlidstok on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:57 pm PDT

    Can you at least tell us the proper way to make this coffee... instead of saying "dollop of butter" then mentioning "ginger and cardamom" perhaps give us some measurements and other instructions so that others may duplicate this???

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  • 17. Posted by sw33t_blond3 on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:57 pm PDT

    thats awesome. thanks for the new perspective

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  • 18. Posted by sally_lane78 on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:58 pm PDT

    i like my coffe with a spoonful of cinnamon and then a dollop of mashed potato....i know i know, this sounds so weird and everyone's going to be like 'omg, what made u try this...' i cant even remember myself, but trust me. its great.

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  • 19. Posted by on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:58 pm PDT

    I love coffee. I have had all kinds and usually like the dark roast. I drink my coffee with cream. Though, I am very interested in trying your favorite coffee. What type of butter do you use and do you use it with a certain type of coffee?

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  • 20. Posted by on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:58 pm PDT

    I love coffee. I have had all kinds and usually like the dark roast. I drink my coffee with cream. Though, I am very interested in trying your favorite coffee. What type of butter do you use and do you use it with a certain type of coffee?

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  • 21. Posted by jmacsmac on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:58 pm PDT

    A coffee shop I visited often in Oregon served a dark roast with a slice of orange and creme. I ignored the orange at first, but then got brave. Really like it, but now with my home brew, it doesn't line up... I really wish I could figure what coffee they were using.

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  • 22. Posted by legolas_oftheelves on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:58 pm PDT

    A to the K! This concoction is so good, I believe more people should try this. Forget counting calories too. That's weaksauce :(

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  • 23. Posted by k6ln on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:58 pm PDT

    Have you tried coffee with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in it? Nice combination!

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  • 24. Posted by Leonard L on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:59 pm PDT

    C'mon, Marcus. Stop teasing us! Surely you must have a recipe for this intriguing twist on the usual java (or if not, I'm sure you've "experimented" once or twice at recreating it after you got back). How can we try this at home? And by the way, we still miss you in the Twin Cities! -- Leonard from Stillwater

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  • 25. Posted by Cochy on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:59 pm PDT

    Cool!! I wish I knew exactly how they spice their sugar so I can try it here at home.

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  • 26. Posted by Ron S on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:59 pm PDT

    Why does butter sound awful in coffee? Butter is made from cream but folks put cream into the coffee though.

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  • 27. Posted by xavier g on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:59 pm PDT

    COFFEE WITH BUTTER??? GOTTA TRY IT!!! ANYWAY, MY GRANDMOTHER USED TO MAKE IT WITH CINNAMON STICKS!!!! LOVED HER AND HER COFFEE. CHEERS AND THANKS FOR THE IDEA!!! GO CUBS!!!!!!

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  • 28. Posted by H S on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 11:00 pm PDT

    I am of East Indian origin and out there we drink tea with ginger and coffee with cardamom on several and regular occasions. I even got my friend in Dallashooked on to that special coffee. And you are right it was pretty much an addiction for her... :)

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  • 29. Posted by tandyd on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 11:00 pm PDT

    I'm glad you share it with American coffee lovers. It's actually nothing new for many Vietnamese to have butter in their coffee. The taste of a little French butter in in your hot black coffee early in the morning is a good way to start the day. Try it and experience the wonderful gift the coffee beans have brought to us.

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  • 30. Posted by naiboog on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 11:00 pm PDT

    so do you think if i put butter in my coffee tomorrow morning will be fine? lol i want to try it but I don't want to ruin my coffee

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