Takoma Park MD
8-13-2026 11:01am

The Inheritance of Spice: From Addis Ababa to ADDIS Pop

The DMV loves spice. Ethiopian, Szechuan, Middle Eastern, South Asian—the region has built a reputation on bold, layered flavors that don't apologize for their heat. But even in a city that prides itself on culinary adventure, there is always room for something new.

Scrolling through Instagram, I stumbled across ADDIS Pop. The caption read: "Flavored with Ethiopian spice." My eyes widened. Popcorn, yes. But Ethiopian spice? That was not a combination I had seen before.

Then I learned it would be vending at Buhe Fest 2026 at Irie Goat Farms in Brandywine, Maryland. I knew I had to reach out. What I found was not just a snack. It was a story of family, heritage, and the quiet persistence of tradition finding new forms.

A Mom, a Daughter, and a Bowl of Popcorn

Aieda McCallum did not set out to start a business. She was a mother looking for a healthier snack for her plant-based daughter. One Saturday, she popped some corn and seasoned it with traditional Ethiopian spices. Her daughter took a bite and said, "Mom, this is really good!"

That moment stuck. Ethiopian flavors were everywhere in restaurants but nearly invisible in the snack aisle. Why not bring them into an everyday food?

She started in the DMV, where the Ethiopian community is strong and the appreciation for its cuisine runs deep. ADDIS Pop was born.

The Process: Simple Ingredients, Deep Care

ADDIS Pop is air-popped, not oil-popped. It is dairy-free, nut-free, and free of artificial colors and preservatives. Aieda sources her berbere directly from Ethiopia. She toasts spices by hand before grinding them to release their full aroma and flavor.

Beyond that, the details are hers to keep. The result speaks for itself: popcorn that tastes fresh, flavorful, and unmistakably Ethiopian.

Three Flavors for Every Palate

The lineup is small but intentional. ADDIS Pop, made by Highland Flavor Company LLC, offers three distinct flavors: Highland Heat brings the spice, Shiro Glow Protein Popcorn is mild and savory, and Sweet Chai (Shai) Spice is inspired by Ethiopian spiced tea—warm, aromatic, and not hot at all.

"Ethiopian spices aren't just about being hot," Aieda says. "They can be earthy, warm, savory, aromatic, and even sweet."

Her favorite moment is watching someone try ADDIS Pop for the first time and say, "Wow, I've never had anything like this before."

Why Buhe Fest?

Aieda celebrated Buhe in Ethiopia in 1999 and 2003. She grew up in Maryland, so Buhe was not part of her childhood. But when she experienced it, she understood this was a tradition worth carrying forward.

What stayed with her was how much Buhe brings people together. Children singing and dancing. Bonfires at night. A community gathered in celebration.

For those who grew up with Buhe, the festival brings back memories. For first-generation Ethiopians, it offers a chance to connect with traditions they may not have experienced at home.

"Food is such an important part of how we connect with one another," Aieda says. "I'm happy to share Ethiopian flavors and a piece of my heritage with the DMV community."

The Story Behind the Spice

Aieda's father was a taxi driver and keyboard player at Addis Abeba Restaurant in Adams Morgan. He played alongside Hailu Mergia and Ethio-Jazz saxophonist Theodros "Teddy" Mitiku. They were good friends.

Her grandmother, Bekelech Moges, owned Netsanet Hotel and Restaurant in Addis Ababa in the 1930s. During the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, she fed Ethiopian patriots. Her restaurant was a gathering place for resistance and community.

What is less known is that many Americans—some descendants of enslaved people, others seeking purpose abroad—chose to serve alongside Ethiopians in defense of the country. It is a complicated chapter, but it speaks to a natural trajectory: Black Americans finding their way back to the continent, and Ethiopians welcoming them as kin. Aieda grew up in Maryland, but her grandmother's legacy and her own return to Buhe reflect that same thread of connection.

"That part of my family's history really inspires me," she says.

The connection to Ethiopian music and food is not just business. It is inheritance.

Find ADDIS Pop This Weekend

ADDIS Pop is sold exclusively in the DMV through the website, festivals, and farmers' markets. The Maryland Department of Health has approved it for retail sales, so it will be in local grocery stores soon.

But the best chance to taste it this weekend is at Buhe Fest 2026.

When: Saturday, August 15
Where: Irie Goat Farms, Brandywine, Maryland
What to expect: Ethiopian culture, music, food, community—and ADDIS Pop.

Come for the culture. Stay for the popcorn. Leave with a story.

Stay Connected

#ADDISPop #BuheFest #EthiopianSpice #DMVEats #FlavorWithPurpose

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