Traditional preparation and cultural significance of chemo, an indigenous coffee-leaf beverage in Southwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

The findings show that Chemo remains an important element of local food practices in Tepi Town, valued for its role in hospitality, daily social interaction, and household use. While the study does not quantify nutritional or economic outcomes, it provides ethnographic evidence of Chemo's cultural relevance and continued practice. Further research integrating chemical analysis, standardized socio-economic data, and comparative ethnobotanical perspectives is needed to better assess its functional properties and broader development potential.