Coffee Connoisseur: One Woman's Journey from Ethiopia to Shetland
In a unique blend of cultural traditions and personal passion, Netsanet Sori, or Netsi as she's known, has brought a taste of her native Ethiopia to the remote island of Whalsay in Shetland. Her story is a fascinating one, filled with personal challenges, cultural connections, and a unique business venture.
A Taste of Home in a New Land
Netsi's journey began when she moved to Orkney in 2016 after spending nine years there. But it was her childhood on a family coffee farm in rural Ethiopia that shaped her love for the beverage. Her mother passed away when she was young, and she was raised by her grandmother and great-grandmother, learning the importance of community and tradition.
"How I was raised there, compared to here, it's completely different," she said. "Preparing and drinking coffee is an important daily ritual in Ethiopia, with neighbors and villagers gathering to share information, good news, and love. It's about community belonging."
This sense of community and tradition is what Netsi wanted to bring to her new home in Scotland. She imports beans from her family farm, ensuring a connection to her past and a unique flavor profile.
The Art of Hand-Roasting
The process of hand-roasting coffee beans is a delicate and time-consuming art. When the beans arrive in Whalsay, they are a light green color with a subtle, earthy aroma. Netsi carefully cleans and roasts them in the same pot, constantly shaking the beans to ensure an even roast. As they cook, the beans darken to a rich brown, releasing an oil that Netsi considers a sign of good quality.
"It's a slow, careful process," she explains. "But it's worth it to create a unique flavor that people seem to really like."
A Business Born of Passion
Initially, Netsi roasted coffee only for herself and friends during her time in Orkney. But after moving to Whalsay, she decided to turn her passion into a business. She realized that nobody else in Shetland was roasting coffee like this, and so she took the leap.
"After a little research, I realized that nobody else is roasting coffee like this in Shetland," she said. "So, I thought I can do it, and it's worked brilliantly. People seem to really like it."
Her unique coffee has found a niche market on the island, with locals like Ingrid Sutherland appreciating the local, high-quality product. Ingrid, a self-proclaimed coffee enthusiast, was blown away by the coffee's freshness and the unique experience it offered.
"I'm a bit of a coffee drinker," she said. "Real coffee, not instant, so I was just blown away with how cool it is. It's local as well, so I can just nip along the road and get a bag, rather than going out of the isle."
A Bridge Between Cultures
Netsi's coffee venture is more than just a business; it's a bridge between her Ethiopian heritage and her new Scottish home. By sharing her passion for coffee, she is connecting with her new community and preserving a piece of her cultural identity.
"It's very important to me," she said. "I will teach my children about it as well. Coffee is about community, tradition, and a shared experience."
As Netsi continues to roast coffee on Whalsay, she is not only satisfying local coffee cravings but also fostering a deeper connection between her native culture and her adopted home.
