Ethiopia’s number one export is excellent coffee. The bean is named after the Kaffa region in the southwest of the country, where even today a large portion of Ethiopia’s coffee is grown at high altitudes.
According to a well-known legend the discovery of the coffee bean was made by a little shepherd boy called Kaldis from Kaffa. He discovered one day that his goats were unusually lively and active after eating the leaves of the coffee branches. Kaldis tried some of the berries himself and rushed to a nearby monastery to share his discovery. However, the monks believed it to be an evil weed and threw the energizing berries unceremoniously into the fire. An aromatic fragrance rose from the fire and the secret of coffee was discovered!
This hot drink quickly established itself as an integral part of Ethiopian culture. Even today, the coffee ceremony is firmly rooted in everyday life. Outside of the country, however, coffee was only discovered in the 16th century. Through the spice trade route over the Indian Ocean the bean made its way to Yemen and Arabia and in the following century through Turkey to Europe. The largest coffee plantation in the country is in Bebeka near Mizan Teferi. Another plantation, 6,000 hectares large is found in neighbouring Tepi and slightly to the east in Wushwush tea is grown extensively.
Another great feature of this area is the lush vegetation, which covers the region in abundance due to the heavy rainfall throughout the year. One of the last great tropical rainforests of the country can be found near Bonga. An area of approximately 500km² covers the surrounding hills and hides a real wealth of natural treasures: wild coffee and cardamom flourish here, as well as wild pepper and honey. Hot springs bubble up from the ground and waterfalls pour over steep cliffs. Countless monkeys and other wild animals frolic in the undergrowth and many until now undocumented birds await discovery.
A trip to Kaffa is an encounter with nature and solitude – a trip in a largely unspoiled countryside featuring fantastic scenery and plant life. The area is rarely visited and mostly undiscovered by tourism (also due to the poor road conditions). A drive to Kaffa is a trip off the beaten path, and the chance to discover yet another facet of the incredible landscape and climatic diversity of Ethiopia, it’s jungle, rainforest and origins.
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Accommodation: The best option is the guesthouse of the coffee plantation in Tepi. Other hotels and restaurants are available at a lower standard.
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