I cannot do better than quote from William H Ukers momentous work “All About Coffee” first published in 1922: “While the true origins of coffee drinking may be forever hidden among the mysteries of the purple east, shrouded as it is by legend and fable, scholars have marshalled sufficient facts to prove that the beverage was known in Ethiopia from time immemorial”.  

As early as 1484 those first Europeans, spurred on by discovering what was new and exciting, were captivated by the experience of visiting the burgeoning coffee houses, where business, news, and social contact could be developed in sophisticated civilised surroundings. Much like our Coffee Houses of today, you might think, but there was one important distinction, those early Ethiopian coffee houses were frequented only by men. As were our early Coffee Houses until the Women’s Petition against coffee published in London in 1674 was perhaps at the start of a radical change in attitudes.

I am recommending an exciting variety of Ethiopian coffee Ethiopia Guji Hambela. The farm is situated in the Oromia region. It produces coffee of exceptional quality. We are impressed by its fruity flavour with notes of blueberry, soft lime and stone fruit. We light roast this variety to sensitively develop its distinctive flavours. Its aroma reminds me of milk chocolate with nuts.

Our suggestion. Try it first as a black coffee, before thinking of adding hot or cold milk. It prepares very well brewed in a filter or equally well in an espresso maker, when it makes a vibrant shot of espresso or excellent cappuccino or latte.

I send my very best wishes at the start of 2025. Whatever a turbulent year may bring us, at H R Higgins we will be doing our utmost to bring you exceptional quality, to make your coffee drinking a time to look forward to, and savour.

Sincerely

Tony Higgins