'Cuppers' – the industry term for coffee tasters - score the coffee grounds according to the quality of the aroma. The cuppers are all certified to international standards, and test up to 70 coffee samples a day in peak season. All three cuppers must agree on the score out of 100. If they disagree, the chief cupper is brought in to adjudicate.

The rigorous testing regime has helped to improve the quality of coffee produced in Ethiopia – as farmers receive constant feedback on their product. In the first year of the Ethiopia Commodity Exchange, the volume of top quality coffee traded tripled.

DFID supported two leading research institutes who were tasked with finding a solution to Ethiopia's inefficient food and commodity markets.

The UK aid funded research recommended setting up a commodity exchange and helped to design the warehousing, logistics and payment systems that the exchange uses today. The exchange helps to boost exports and secure a better deal for farmers and consumers.

More information: <a href="http://www.dfid.gov.uk/ecx" rel="nofollow">www.dfid.gov.uk/ecx</a>