Meaza Tesfahun, owner of Delina’s EthioCafe, runs a mobile cafe based in Cranberry, Butler County. Often, you might find her vending her authentic Ethiopian coffee in the parking lot at the Meeder housing development, a local farmers market, or outside of a church. On a breezy fall morning in late October, she’s inside her trailer preparing a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
Dressed in a traditional Ethiopian Habesha dress, a ruby-colored handmade garment with ornate designs and gold accents, Tesfahun also adorns herself with multiple pieces of gold jewelry, including bracelets, rings, necklaces and earrings, a common style for Ethiopians during holidays and special events. A netela scarf, which can be worn around the waist or wrapped around the head, rests on her shoulders.
According to Tesfahun, most Ethiopians are known by the word “Habesha,” which means “dark skin” in Arabic. A native of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, she’s been drinking coffee since she was 7 — and she knows good coffee.
She exclusively serves coffee using beans sourced from Ethiopia. Her favorite is Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, which is great for both hot and cold coffee.
Tesfahun has received significant support from friends and her local community. She posts her location on social media daily, and people come out to see her.
“I go places. I travel to serve my coffee at events or during employee lunch breaks,” she said. “We make so many friends along the way.”
Before starting her business in 2020, Tesfahun carried her own coffee everywhere in a travel mug. She left Ethiopia at 22, moved to Kuwait for seven years, then to Italy for two. She settled in Cranberry in 2016. “It’s a journey, but I love it here,” she said.
“It’s beautiful to travel and experience different foods, but the freedom to pursue your dreams drew us to the U.S. We chose this place above anywhere else, there are so many opportunities here,” she said.
Tesfahun roasts and grinds the beans from scratch, releasing an incredible aroma.
“As the beans roast, you begin to feel it all over your body — and that’s how you know you’re going to have good coffee,” she said. Once the beans start popping in the skillet, they’re done. She said that the color shift from light to a deeper roasted brown determines the roast level, with a darker roast for stronger coffee.
“As a child, making coffee was like our chore. We had to do it for our parents. When a guest came, we had to make coffee, roast it and serve three cups or so,” Tesfahun said. “The cups are small, so as children, we usually drank it with milk. I started young, so I know the difference in quality, our coffee is very organic, with low acidity, tasting more like cherry than bitter.”
Her older sister, Ergibe Tesfahun, joined her in 2019 and couldn’t be prouder. “She’s such a hard worker. She goes everywhere. Her passion inspires me, and my daughters look at her like a role model,” Ergibe Tesfahun said.
In a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, drinking coffee is a leisurely, social ritual. Tesfahun explained that in Ethiopia, people gather at each other’s houses to drink coffee and watch the sunset. Ethiopian coffee is smooth, with naturally low acidity and fruity notes, making it palatable even without sugar or creamer — though Tesfahun offers those options as well. The menu features hot coffees, cappuccino, macchiato, espresso, apple cider and more.
Tesfahun’s traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony features cups similar to teacups adorned with folk art patterns in yellow, telling stories through each panel. The cups are accompanied by matching white saucers, with designs that echo a Jebena, Ethiopian pottery that’s used to brew coffee.
“Back home, we roast coffee from scratch two to three times daily, inviting neighbors to join us. One neighbor hosts in the morning, another at lunch and another in the afternoon. It’s about gathering, talking and spending time,” she said. “You just don’t take a shot and go.”
The coffee beans pop rhythmically in the skillet as Tesfahun lowers the heat, she shakes the beans around, her bracelets clanking against each other with the movement. They’re ready. She explains that the beans become oily at the perfect roast level, which ensures good coffee. Ashy beans, she says, won’t taste right.
Before serving, Tesfahun burns frankincense, a traditional Ethiopian practice that creates a peaceful atmosphere. She pours coffee from the Jebena and adds raw cane sugar, sometimes melting it to create her own syrup. The coffee, after several rounds, is rich.
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Though iced coffee isn’t common in Ethiopia, Tesfahun serves iced coffees, iced lattes and cold brews. “But I’m not a fan of iced or cold drinks. I like it hot,” she said.
Her sister and brother live nearby, and Tesfahun has two sons who are homeschooled. Sharing her culture and the flexibility of her work are important to her as a mother, allowing her to spend time with her family. The name Delina’s EthioCafe pays homage to Tesfahun’s daughter who passed away. “I will keep her memory forever,” Tesfahun said.
Faith and family are Tesfahun’s guiding forces. “I’ve always wanted a coffee place, but not at the cost of time with my kids. God showed me this way,” she said.
Her children, who are biracial Ethiopian and Italian, often work with her, meeting people from all walks of life and learning business skills.
“I’m so proud of my mom and always get free coffee … there are benefits,” said her older son Nico Chiaraluna, 12. “I love coffee a lot, but I only drink hers. Other coffee, I trash-talk.”
Her younger son, Isaac Chiaraluna, 10, enjoys traveling with his mom. “If I have nothing to do, I just go with her. I had my first cup a few months after she opened the shop … and it tastes great,” he said.
Tesfahun outfitted her trailer herself. Initially empty, she installed a kitchenette with a sink. The right side houses roasting materials, while the left side holds cups and serving items, with a quote on the wall: “With Jesus in her heart and coffee in her hand, she is unstoppable.” “What I love about the trailer,” Tesfahun said, “is the low overhead. I can just park and serve without paying rent.”
Looking to the future, she plans to open a brick-and-mortar cafe where people can relax, talk and potentially enjoy Ethiopian food, like her favorite Doro Wat (a spicy chicken stew) and Kitfo (a seasoned beef dish). But for now, her focus is on building relationships.
“Our coffee is about social lifestyle, so that’s my plan. But I’m starting small and plan to grow,” she said.
In December, she’ll close up to prevent equipment from freezing and store it indoors until she reopens in March. During the winter, she and her children travel to Georgia.
Tesfahun knows there is so much to be learned and shared in a conversation over a cup of coffee.
“I’m sharing someone’s lifestyle and culture being here, so why not let others share my lifestyle as well,” she said.