Ethiopia

Ethiopian Berbere

Ethiopia

Ethiopia

Highly unique and extraordinarily flavourful, Ethiopian food is all about big, bold flavour and some of the most exciting food on earth. Spice to this country is king.

Ethiopia

Influences

Many dishes in Ethiopia feature cardamom pod seeds and black pepper, but no spice blend is more prominent than their national Berbere. A staple in Ethiopian cooking, this rich red blend of fragrant fenugreek, savoury ginger and garlic, sweet cinnamon, and a spicy hit of chilli powder provides a backbone of flavour to many dishes with its simultaneously delicate yet punchy aroma that's synonymous with this country's cuisine.

Flavours

A truly unique and one-of-a-kind cuisine, Ethiopian culture and food have primarily been insulated from other cultures other than its temporary control under the Italian military in 1935-46.

History and Influences

The mountainous and hilly nature of its terrain meant neighbouring countries had little influence over its customs.

However, exotic spices were introduced to Ethiopian cooking by traders traveling through Europe and the Far East. These spices added flavour to the food and helped preserve meat where refrigerators were not accessible.

Ethiopia

Iconic Dish

It is highly, unique and extraordinarily flavourful, spice is king in Ethiopian cuisine, and their national blend Berbere is used in every dish, whether it be rich Wat curries of beef, chicken or lentils, or a fermented Injera pancake on which meals are served on and eaten with. Tej honey wine or fresh fruit smoothies are served with meals and a sacred afternoon ritual of coffee ceremonies include sweet flatbreads and popcorn to finish.

Ethiopia

Spiceology

Ethiopia is a significant producer and exporter of various spices, namely cardamom, ginger, fenugreek, turmeric, cumin, black pepper, coriander, and chillies. Their expansive land space and ingrained farming culture have meant spice production is plentiful and prosperous, and these spices are used extensively in their cuisine.

The essential spices that create Ethiopia's unique flavours are ginger to add depth of flavour, pepper for warmth, and chillies for rich red colour and heat.
We have used mild chillies in our Berbere to make it family-friendly, but you can dial up the heat with extra fresh or dried chillies.

Ethiopian Berbere 30g

Ethiopian Berbere 30g

$4.75