Before coffee shops, pour overs, and burr grinders, there were wild coffee trees growing in the highlands of Ethiopia—and people who knew exactly what they were worth.
Legend says it started with a goatherd named Kaldi who noticed his goats getting unusually hyped after chewing on red cherries from a wild shrub. Curious, he tried them himself, felt the lift, and unknowingly kicked off what would become one of the world’s most important rituals.
By the 1400s, coffee had moved from Ethiopia to Yemen and then spread across the globe. But Ethiopia still holds the roots. Quite literally.
What Makes Ethiopian Coffee Special?
Ethiopia is the birthplace of Coffea arabica, the species behind most specialty coffee beans today. Grown in rich soil at high elevations, Ethiopian coffees are known for their clarity and complexity—floral, fruity, sometimes tea-like, sometimes spicy.
From regions like Sidamo, Yirgacheffe, and Guji, to forest-grown beans in Kaffa, these coffees are shaped by their environment in a way you can taste. They’re vibrant, alive, and unlike anything else.
The Ceremony Behind the Cup
In Ethiopia, coffee is more than a drink—it’s hospitality.
The traditional bunna ceremony is a slow, thoughtful process that honors the bean from roast to cup. It starts with green beans roasted over charcoal, then hand-ground with a mortar and pestle, brewed in a clay pot called a jebena, and poured from a height into small cups in three rounds—abol, tona, and baraka—each carrying its own meaning.
The whole thing is rooted in connection: incense burning, stories shared, popcorn passed around. It’s not a performance. It’s everyday life. And it’s beautiful.
Why It Matters to Us at Look Alive
As a specialty coffee roaster, we believe in understanding where our beans come from—and respecting the cultures that built this industry long before it was an industry.
One of our most loved coffees is Deri Kidame, from the Guji region of Ethiopia. It’s floral, sweet, and deeply expressive—one of those coffees that doesn’t need to shout to stand out. We source it with intention and roast it to keep its natural beauty intact.
To us, this isn’t just about great coffee. It’s about honoring what came before us while building something new. And if our coffee helps you create your own morning ritual—or fuels whatever you’re working on—that’s the whole point.
From Our Roastery to Your Ritual
We’re Look Alive Coffee, a full-service coffee roaster focused on quality, creativity, and community. Whether you’re here for beans, brewing gear, or just something that makes your mornings feel a little more yours—we’re glad you’re here.
Stick around for more origin stories, brewing tips, gear we actually use, and thoughts on where coffee and creativity meet.
Let’s keep it moving. And let’s keep it meaningful.
—The Look Alive Crew