Reading Roars!

Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a whiff somewhere of frankincense. The mystical substance was burning outside the Global Cafe on London Street early this afternoon to draw in customers. However, rather than mince pies or mulled wine, there was something rather surprising in store - an Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

Coffee is one of the things I look forward to most in life (sad, but true). A book I once read about the history of the drink revealed that it all started in east Africa many, many years ago when a goat, after eating some coffee beans, became a little, well, animated. The bean was then incorporated into religious ceremonies in Ethiopia.

So when I saw that there was coffee burning done in the ancient Ethiopian way at the Global Cafe, I was intrigued.

It all looked rather simple. There were the beans roasting over a flame, a tall pot, a tray with white cups and a bowl of popcorn. Presiding over all this was a rather cheerful African lady.

“You look shocked” the woman smiled as I stared at the set-up. “I’m making some coffee”.

I took a seat. I was offered some popcorn and told that it traditionally formed part of the ceremony. Frankincense, coffee and popcorn - what a mix, I thought.

The lady passed the roasted beans around each table, so that customers could appreciate the intoxicating aroma of the fresh coffee, before pouring the black liquid into the cups. No milk or sugar were added. It was pure and simple. The real deal. Coffee as it was prepared millenia ago, before it evolved into Banana Caramel Frappuccino.

I was warned of its strength. No matter, I said, I like my coffee strong and bitter.

I took a sip. It tasted unusual. It was less dense or rich than what I expected. After two or three sips, however, and my eyes widened a little, with my heart upping a gear. This was good stuff.

Amazingly, the coffee was free, but I didn’t stick about for another cup. Fired up, I bounded out of the Global Cafe like a delirious goat, ready to brave the Christmas crowds.