East Africa · Street food
Kolo (Roasted Barley Grains Mixed with Peanuts and Chickpeas)
A crisp, nutty, and highly addictive blend of dry-roasted whole grains and legumes tossed with aromatic spiced oil.
The story
Kolo is ubiquitous across the Ethiopian highlands, shared among all ethnic groups from the bustling alleys of Addis Ababa to remote rural homesteads. It serves as an essential companion during the traditional buna (coffee ceremony), providing an earthy, crisp contrast to rich, dark coffee. Historically, soldiers and travelers carried roasted kolo as a calorie-dense, shelf-stable provision that stays fresh for months without refrigeration.
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