Almaz Dama, one of the owners of Dama Market and Restaurant in Arlington, Virginia, talks about some of the pastries and foods made with the staple Ethiopian spices berbere and mitmita. The spices aren’t limited to Ethiopian cooking; they can be used to season Mexican food, add flavor to Italian sauces and treat minor ailments using homemade medicinal concoctions.

We spent a full hour talking about the flavors of Ethiopia. Listen to the interview.