A familiar aroma fills the air, almost like a warm blanket that is wrapped around one’s
shoulders. The scent of toasted nuts and dark chocolate feels strangely emotional. The
smell of coffee is layered and creates a sense of peace! The first sip makes the cold
winter air disappear and what is left is only a moment of pure joy.
For many people around the world, coffee is the best way to start the day. After a
rejuvenating sleep, coffee is the only thing that drives one to get up in the morning. The
aroma and the bitter taste warm you up from the inside as if breathing new life into body
and soul! Most Namibians love their cup of coffee and Namibia is known for its
exceptional coffee roasters.
When thinking about coffee places like Ethiopia, Colombia and Brazil come to mind.
This is where the magic happens, but a place like Namibia does not really feature.
Because Namibia is largely desert, coffee plants are not likely to grow in our warm and
dry environment. However, this does not mean we cannot roast exceptionally good
quality coffee!
We have several coffee roasters in Namibia, from Namibian coffee roasters, Shema
coffee, Slowtown to Two Beards. Each of these coffee houses has its unique personality
of coffee. While some are focused on community and specialty coffee, others have a
strong craftmanship approach where origin-specific roasting styles are combined with
technical precision.
Like many things I often wonder who discovered coffee. The history is a bit of a delicious
mystery. There is no official documentation to confirm the history or origin of where it all
started, but according to the legend, there was a man named Kaldi, who was a goat
herder. It is believed that he discovered the coffee beans. One day, while herding his
goats, he noticed that when the goats ate of a specific berry, they would be filled with
energy and could not sleep. Kaldi then reported this discovery to the abbot of a local
monastery, who had difficulty staying awake during long hours of prayer. The abbot then
made a drink of the berries and they could stay awake. From there on drinking coffee
became a luxury and necessity in many households.
Whether the legend is true or not, I will leave it to your imagination! But the fact is that
coffee became a huge business and was traded in the 15th and 16th centuries, gaining
popularity in Iran, Egypt, Syria and Turkey. Today, the smell of coffee is found almost
around every corner and invites you to take a moment to relax.
Namibian coffee has a unique two-bearded character of obedience and slow pace.
From Shema's spirit to Slowtown's rhythm, through the mastery of Two Beards and the
charm of Namibian Coffee. The coffee houses in Namibia proves that great things come
to those who don't rush the roast.
Author: Janke Murray