When you think of coffee what comes to mind? Espresso culture in a southern European country, a high street coffee chain or a tradedā commodity. What about a female run coffee company thatās empowering African female farmers one bean a time. Farmers to Queens.
The market for coffee is said to be worth over $100 billion across the globe. Billions of cups of coffee are consumed worldwide per day. Most coffee is a blend of different beans, however there is a niche coffee market called the special coffee sector which includes single in origin, high grade beans and ethical methods in it's final drink. The specialty coffee sector is a market that is empowering too. Its empowering to it's female coffee growers by fair pay through direct trade.
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Introducing Amatte
Amatte is a new premium coffee brand that embodies Africaās rich cultures and history of storytelling. It sustainably* sources the finest Arabica beans from across the continent to create delicious single origin coffee and blends in the UK.
Available now, Amatte is the culmination of a lifeās passion for entrepreneur Amani Kiflemariam. Amani was born in Eritrea and grew up in the Sudan and the UK with a deep appreciation for the social and economic significance of coffee within Habesha (Eritrean and Ethiopian, the birthplace of coffee) culture. Amani worked in Finance in London before putting her talents into building Amatte that not only promotes African heritage but also benefits those small-lot farmers who nurture this precious crop. Named after her grandmother, whose name means ālead by exampleā in her native Tigrigna dialect, Amatte honours her strength and integrity through its brand values, specialist roasts and enchanting tales from Africa.
āI wanted to create a premium brand that offers the finest coffees Africa has to offer and one that empowers the real superstars, its female farmers,ā says Amani. āIāve combined my passion for fine coffee and gender parity into Amatte, which offers high end coffee cultivated by these amazing, hard working women.ā
Discover Amatteās debut coffee collection, which comprises five refined tastes that distill the continentās complex and inspiring spirit into every sip.
Queen of Sheba
Single origin whole bean coffee
This limited edition Ethiopian coffee is dedicated to the Queen of Sheba, an ancient representative of female leadership. Its aromatic flavours are at the same time strong and sweet with notes of strawberry, nectarine and lavender, a creamy, full body and a hazelnut finish.
Emperorās Blend
Naturally processed whole bean coffee
An Ethiopian coffee that gives praise to Haillie Sellasse I, who was revered for spearheading African unity. His noble qualities inspire the strong and full-bodied flavour of the Emperorās Blend with its notes of dark chocolate, strawberry, nectarine, lavender, pineapple and raisin.
QueenĀ Nefertiti
Single origin whole bean coffee
This coffee gives praise to Queen Nefertiti, who ruled Ancient Egypt and established the cult of the sun god Aten. It is sourced from the central highlands of Kenya and boasts notes of honey, pineapple, blood orange and sherbet.
Connoisseurās Choice
Whole bean coffee
Our Connoisseur's Choice Coffee is sourced from Rebuild Womenās Hope, a non-profit organisation based in the Democratic Republic of Congo that is committed to gender equity. It has a delicious, smooth and rich taste.
90 Plus
Whole bean coffee
This mixed heirloom coffee has been grown at high altitudeāØ in the Guji zone of Ethiopiaās Sidamo province. It is naturally processed with a sweet and full-bodied taste and notes of intense blueberry jam, jasmine and lime zest.
Coffees come in 200g packets and prices range from Ā£13 -21. They are available now on www.amatte.co.uk
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Amatte Foundation
The Amatte Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping female coffee farmers and artisans in Africa to thrive by connecting them to education and pathways to employment. 5% of direct sales advance this goal. In Eritrea, Amatteās first Artisan Training Initiative workshop supports the Samaritan Sisters by training weavers in rural villages in leadership and life skills, and placing them in work. Amatte also supports the Kidane Mehret Children's Home in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and the Samaritan Sistersā Orphanage in Asmara, Eritrea.
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The Story Of Ethiopian Coffee
Legend has it that the Coffee arabica plant was first discovered by the 9th century Abyssinian goat herder Kaldi, who noticed how lively his flock was when they ate its berries. Itās likely that many nomadic tribes consumed coffee as a means of sustenance and energy in the region during this period and from here, the crop followed trade routes across the globe. Ethiopia remains Africaās top coffee producer and consumer and the crop is the countryās largest export, employing 15 million people.
For every Ethiopian, coffee is at the heart of daily life and represents a sensory experience with religious and social significance. This is reflected in the Ethiopian coffee ceremony undertaken as a sign of respect and friendship when welcoming visitors, or when gathering together to discuss important matters.
Traditionally, the ceremony takes place three times a day. The youngest woman of the house prepares the room by spreading grasses or flowers on the floor and burning incense. She washes green coffee beans and then roasts them over flames in a large pan. She then grinds the beans with a mukecha and zenezena (pestle and mortar) and adds them to boiling water in a jebena (ceramic coffee pot). The brewed coffee is sieved and poured into small cups, and then served. Guests buna tetu (drink coffee) and praise their hostess. This first serving (abol) is followed by a second (tona) and finally a third (baraka), which transfers a blessing. Amatteās coffee collections pay homage to this ceremony, which Amani performed for her grandmother and brand namesake as a child.
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An African Coffee Experience
Amatte an exciting new coffee initiative, is a coffee that is high grade and is luxurious whilst being ethical. The brand ambassadors are dedicated to showcasing the rich heritage of African coffee rituals and its culture of storytelling.
Be more demanding of the coffee you buy and drink. Support fair trade. Be an African coffee connoisseur and let your friends and family know. We support this coffee brand call Amatte and the African coffee experience. Please look out for the coffee and try it.
Leslie
West Africa Cooks
Editor
Follow Amatte
Instagram: instagram.com/amattecoffee
Facebook: facebook.com/amattecollection
Website: Amatte
Twitter: @amattecoffee