Ethiopia Dining Etiquette

Dining etiquette in Ethiopia is similar to the rules of dining etiquette in other North African countries. Please see Egypt dining etiquette for information about general North African dining etiquette. The dining etiquette information below presents Ethiopian variations on general North African dining etiquette.

Dining etiquette. Dining customs are similar to those in 'the rest of the region-you will be offered food from a communal plate and are expected to eat with your right hand from the area of the plate that is directly in front of you. Ethiopians will host you ceremoniously with their coffee, which is considered some of the finest in the world. First the coffee is roasted and ground sometimes in your presence; the grinds are then boiled and coffee is served heavily sweetened, black, and in small cups without handles. Typically, you drink three cups and fresh popcorn is often served with it. Common foods include porridge, often served with butter (and eaten, in this case. with a wooden spoon), Kitfo is a kind of raw meat preparation served with cheese and cabbage, and koocho is a kind of bread made from a local plant. A very popular Ethiopian bread used with many meals and dishes, is injera, which is made from a local grain, teff. It has a slightly sour taste and is often served with a stew of meats and vegetables called wat; you break off a piece of the teff and use it like a utensil. Interestingly, in Ethiopia, Orthodox Christians, as is the case with observant Muslims, do not eat pork or any meat on Wednesdays and Fridays.

african dining etiquette

Ethiopia Dining Etiquette

related:

Table Manners

International Dining Etiquette

Wine Tasting Etiquette

Table Setting Etiquette