Tella or talla (Amharic ጠላ; Oromo: farsoo, Tigrinya: siwa) is a traditional beer from Ethiopia. It is brewed from various grains, which can change depending on location.[1][2] These typically include barley or teff. Depending on region, wheat, sorghum, or corn may be used; spices can also be added.[1][3] Dried and ground shiny-leaf buckthorn leaves are used for fermentation.[4] The drink is made in a clay pot. The pot is washed with a plant called grawa.[3] After rinsing it is smoked with weyra[3] or Abyssinian rose.[1] The alcohol content of tella is usually around 2–4 volume percent.[4]
Tella is often home-brewed.[5][3] It may be offered in tella houses (tellabet) or served in the home.[3] In urban areas, the drink is used on special occasions like holidays or weddings.[4]
