Coffee in Ethiopia is called “Boona” (Oromoyan language and tribe in Ethiopia). It is said that “Caffa", Ethiopia is the founding place of this worldwide exotic drink. Coffee in Ethiopia isn't just a drink for people who enjoy the effects of getting a boost in the morning or late afternoon. However, coffee in Ethiopia is more of a ceremonial drink. It is a reason to call over neighbors, to witness it being made, and drink while offering prayers over the drink. For those who have been or going to Ethiopia you must know about the "coffee ceremony". Please be warned, there is no such thing as instant coffee here. The coffee beans are usually bought raw green in which the preparer roasts them over a skillet until they become dark brown. Then the beans are crushed into a fine powder and put into the "jubana” (shown above), a hand made pot with a handle used to boil the coffee over a charcoal fire. After the coffee is finished and ready to serve the preparer calls for guests and neighbors to come. It is believed that the smell of coffee aroma is very spiritual with other worldly many benefits. The whole process of preparation from ready to serve takes about an hour. If you visit Ethiopia tasting the coffee made from start to finish is a must experience.

Mahshi is an Egyptian cuisine made for guests and larger parties. It's seasoned rice and onions stuffed inside zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant. It is a traditional favorite among Egyptian families because it's usually served at large gathering. For travelers to the Middle East, this is a good option if you are vegetarian. This is usually difficult considering most of the food in the Middle East consists of a lot of meat. However, with the mahshi meal, you can request it whenever going to restaurants or if you are invited over someone’s house it’s a good vegetarian option to request.