Somali Espresso Traditions Discover a Residence in Columbus, Ohio

Initially from Somalia, Abdullah and Hodan Ismail are bringing the espresso traditions they grew up with to a quaint Columbus suburb.

BY DANIEL MURAGA
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE

Pictures courtesy of East African Espresso Home

What to know:

• Impressed by a wave of Yemeni coffeehouses that they skilled residing in Dearborn, Michigan, couple Abdullah and Hodan Ismail had been known as to convey their Somali tradition into the specialty-coffee scene
• Now residing in Gahanna, a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, the 2 function East African Espresso Home, the place they spotlight East African and Somali flavors and low traditions
• Standout choices from the coffeehouse embody Somali Qahwah, brewed from espresso husks and spiced with ginger, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon

In November of 2025, Abdullah Hammoud, the mayor of Dearborn, Michigan, famously declared his metropolis the “Espresso Capital of America.” Throughout this time, a lot of Yemeni coffeehouses had been flourishing within the metropolis, barely tipping the scales from Ethiopia to Yemen because the place the place espresso was first brewed. Qahwah Home, Haraz Espresso Home, and Qamaria Espresso, which at present function a mixed 121 shops in 14 states, are among the many cafés that mirrored (and nonetheless do) the wealthy Yemeni tradition current within the metropolis.

Whereas residing in Dearborn, a pair initially from Somalia—Abdullah and Hodan Ismail—had been taking notes. This ultimately led to the opening of East African Espresso Home in Gahanna, a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, the place the 2 now reside. Positioned at 4359 Morse Rd., the coffeehouse softly opened in June of 2025 and held their official grand opening the next month.

Simply as many Michigan-based coffeehouses popularized Yemeni espresso, the entrepreneurs hoped to copy the identical however for his or her conventional Somali flavors and tastes. “We’ve such a good looking tradition—a whole lot of superb flavors, and we sort of simply needed to showcase our area of the world,” Hodan informed Columbus Underground.

Selecting a location

When selecting the 1,200-square-foot area on the Cherry Backside Middle retail strip, the founders needed a location that was not solely close to a big Japanese African inhabitants within the Northland space but additionally accessible to native suburban espresso drinkers in search of an unique espresso and pastry expertise. It additionally occurred that Hodan was within the loop as a result of she was initially from Columbus and knew there have been many individuals from Somalia who can be nostalgic for a Somali-themed coffeehouse. 

“We need to showcase what we are able to do,” says Abdullah. “We wish this to be an inviting place for everybody to come back to, not simply individuals from East Africa.”  

Espresso in Somalia—some background

Many individuals, particularly within the West, affiliate Somalia with sea pirates. Others consider a scarcity of a working centralized authorities and clan wars. Nonetheless others consider terrorist cells, abject poverty, and widespread disregard of human rights. Nevertheless, regardless of having a semi-arid local weather largely ill-suited for agriculture, the nation is displaying indicators of financial development.   

Fortunately, the nation is neighbors with Ethiopia and Kenya, that are a number of the common espresso giants in Africa. This shields the truth that Somalia produces localized and restricted espresso. Small-scale semi-wild espresso farming exists within the jagged Al-Madow and Cal Madow mountain ranges in northern areas resembling Puntland and Sanag. Farmers in areas resembling Lasqoray and Dadan are overcoming extreme infrastructure hurdles by utilizing donkeys alongside dangerously steep mountain trails to move espresso to markets resembling Bossaso.  

Thankfully, Somalia is therapeutic after many years of tumult, and its cafés are stirring again to operation. It’s because, regardless of a restricted coffee-farming scene, the nation imports high-quality espresso from its neighbors, Kenya and Ethiopia, who additionally assist in reestablishing peace on this nation within the Horn of Africa.

“Stroll right into a Mogadishu café, or one in Hargeisa, Kismayo, Baidoa, Jowhar, Dhuusamareeb or Garowe, and you’ll look forward to finding a microcosm of recent Somalia – college students huddled over textbooks, entrepreneurs pitching concepts, diaspora returnees reconnecting with native companions, and elders debating politics,” observes Nuri Aden, a journalist with TRT Afrika. 

Not producing espresso doesn’t imply a scarcity of a steaming espresso tradition. Somalia has a well-established native espresso custom known as Qaxwo (or Qahwah) that options spiced espresso poured as a social beverage and brewed with a mixture of espresso, ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom. 

Showcasing East African traditions

Presently, East African Espresso Home’s choices revolve round single-origin espresso sourced from Ethiopia. Nevertheless, they’ve a “lesser-known gem”: Somali Qahwah, brewed from espresso husks and providing a cup that’s not solely sustainably and historically refined, but additionally a spiced infusion adored in Somali households for millennia. True to the Somali custom, this drink is spiced with ginger, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon.

There may be additionally Somali Shaah, a tea various brewed with the identical spice custom. “We’re simply excited to showcase East African custom and hospitality and tradition superbly,” says Abdullah. 

The café additionally gives espresso-based drinks, matcha, and refreshers, along with small dishes that embody pastries, milk desserts, cheesecakes, and tiramisu. And searching forward: The couple entertains plans to unfold its wings to different states and into Canada. “If this does nicely, we undoubtedly need to open extra places,” says Abdullah.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Daniel Muraga (he/him) is a communications skilled, researcher, author, and editor based mostly in Kenya with over 10 years of expertise within the trade. His mission is to spotlight Africa’s contributions to the realms of science, know-how, innovation, tradition, meals, and associated fields. He has accomplished intensive analysis and written broadly within the espresso area of interest for Sprudge Media, in addition to in associated areas for Life & Thyme and CQ Researcher, amongst others. When not writing, he’s at all times outdoor communing with nature. You will discover him on Fb, X, and LinkedIn.

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