Daily life in an Ethiopian bar.

What they are sipping is a honey liquor and honey wine called Tej.

It is the oldest alcoholic beverage with a history of more than 3,000 years, originating in Ethiopia and Eritrea, and is served in a container that looks like a Florentine flask.

What differentiates Tej from other honey liquors is that it is flavored with powdered leaves and branches of the buckthorn plant, also known as "Ethiopian hops.

This seems to create a bitter taste, like hops in beer, and a perfect balance with the sweetness of honey.

It has many health benefits and is loved by many citizens.

Ethiopia is now at a major turning point.

A historic peace with Eritrea was achieved in June 2018.

A new Prime Minister, Abiy, has been elected and his various political reforms seem to be behind it. The situation in Ethiopia will continue to attract attention.

Learn more about the recent situation in Ethiopia → "Ethiopia's Great Reform: Can New Prime Minister Abiy be the Messiah?"

(in Japanese history)Photo:Rod Waddington/Flickr [enCC BY-SA 2.0])