Discover the Surprising Origins of Coffee: A History Of Coffee

Despite drinking this beverage every day and multiple times a day, many are entirely surprised to learn its backstory- a history of coffee.

Coffee has captured people's hearts from its beginnings in the Arabian Peninsula to its worldwide consumption today. Are you curious how the now coffee-obsessed culture began?

Join us on a caffeinated historic journey to explore the captivating tale of this beloved drink.

Now, have you heard the legend behind the origins of coffee?

How Was Coffee First Discovered? 

According to one story, coffee was first discovered by a curious goatherd named Kaldi.

After noticing his goats acting strangely from eating certain berries, Kaldi brought them to a nearby monastery, where a disapproving monk eventually gave them a try and discovered their ability to keep him awake during evening prayers. (Some claim he threw them into the fire and smelled the hard-to-resist 'roasted coffee' scent, enticing him to try the beans.)

Sharing berries with his fellow monks, he ultimately introduced coffee to Ethiopian monasteries- eventually making it a permanent fixture.

From there, the tradition of coffee spread throughout Ethiopia into Arabia and eventually made its way to Europe, gaining popularity for its stimulating caffeine content.

The story of coffee's humble beginnings is both intriguing and fascinating, and it all started with a simple observation by a curious goatherd.

Where Coffee Originated

The origin of coffee began in Ethiopia, with the goatherd, Kaldi, mentioned above.

However, the more traditional coffee drink we consume today originated in the Arabian Peninsula, as the coffee beans traveled across the Red Sea from Ethiopia and into Yemen.

As time progressed, coffee trade and cultivation boomed, making its way to global tourists and travelers. Although there was initial hesitancy in Europe, coffee's popularity quickly climbed as more people tried and adored it.

Coffee reached the Americas in the 17th Century, and today it is by far one of the most beloved drinks worldwide.

Who Invented Coffee First?

It is difficult to pinpoint who invented coffee first because of the many legends and stories surrounding its origins. However, we can conclude that the first people to 'invent' the coffee beverage, or essentially drink it as a beverage in the modern way we consume it, were the monks from the Sufi Shrines in Yemen in the 15th Century.

Coffee beans and berries were roasted and brewed similarly to how we roast and brew our beans today.

Ultimately, it is likely impossible to determine the individual who invented coffee first accurately; however, its captivating history and origin story will remain an integral part of this beloved drink.

When Did People Start Drinking Coffee?

People started commonly drinking coffee in the 15th Century, as it traveled from Ethiopia across the Red Sea to Yemen. It was then that coffee became a popular beverage among the people of Arabia, and soon after began its spread throughout Europe and beyond.

In Europe, coffee became popular in the 17th Century and rapidly gained traction, with cafés opening up in cities all over. In the 18th Century, coffee made its way to America, where it quickly transitioned from not only a beloved morning drink but to a national pastime.

People in the United States embraced the coffee culture wholeheartedly, and now, so much of our society revolves around coffee. Today, over 2 billion cups of coffee are consumed globally each day - a testament to this beloved beverage's lasting appeal and enjoyment.

What Was Its Original Purpose?

Coffee's original purpose lay mainly in its ability to boost energy and aid concentration. Discovering coffee was a game-changer in terms of the benefits, such as improving focus and energy levels, i.e., allowing individuals to stay awake during long prayers.

While coffee's specific benefits were not fully understood initially, its use in early Chinese medicine indicates its initial reputation for its medicinal purposes as well. It was recognized for treating common ailments such as headaches, stomach aches, and depression.

Coffee's caffeine content stimulates alertness and reduces fatigue while increasing pleasure-inducing dopamine levels to improve mood.

Nowadays, further studies have found antioxidants in coffee that are able to prevent cell damage and potentially lower the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer, which means its original role in medicine was not unjustified.

Where Did Coffee Get Its Name? 

Hailing from the Arabian Peninsula, the first cultivated coffee beans have quite the story behind their name.

Legend has it that the word "coffee" can be traced back to the Arabic term for wine, qahwah, suggesting that it was once enjoyed for its intoxicating effects and seen as an intoxicating drink.

Eventually, Turkey named this drink "kahve," while the Dutch called it "koffie." The evolution of this beloved beverage's name is a fascinating linguistic journey. As it entered the English language in the late 1500s as "coffee," it's clear that the Dutch played a crucial role in shaping the term we all know and love today.

Where Do Coffee Beans Come From?

Coffee beans come from a coffee plant. These plants produce coffee cherries that contain two seeds each which, when removed and dried, are roasted and become the roasted coffee beans we use while brewing coffee. If only one seed is found in the cherry, this is referred to as peaberry coffee.

Coffee Fact: Coffee cherries can actually be eaten! They are sweet and have a juicy, fruity flavor.

The main species of coffee plants are Arabica and Robusta - both of which produce two of the primary and most popular coffee bean types. Peaberry coffee beans are considered a mutation among Arabica and Robusta coffee plants.

Arabica beans are higher quality with more complex flavors and less caffeine; Robusta beans offer bolder, more bitter flavors and higher caffeine content.

Regarding location, coffee beans are grown in tropical climates worldwide - from Central and South America to Africa, India, Indonesia, and beyond. The cool to warm temperatures from higher elevations and plenty of rainfall provide ideal growing conditions for the coffee plants.

Coffee plants thrive in the 'coffee belt' - a region directly located between the Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn. Some of the main countries where coffee beans are grown include Brazil, Ethiopia, Mexico, Guatemala, and Colombia.

The different climates, soils, harvesting methods, and processing techniques all help to create distinct tastes from one coffee bean origin to another.

We proudly offer single-origin coffee beans from all over, including Costa Rica, Guatemala, Colombia, and Indonesia.

So, in a nutshell, where do coffee beans come from?

Coffee beans come from coffee plants grown all around the world, but especially in what is considered the "coffee belt," a region that contains some of the most perfect climates and soils for growing coffee.

Takeaways

Overall, coffee has a long and captivating history that spans centuries. From the humble beginnings in Ethiopia to its worldwide consumption today, it remains one of the most beloved beverages worldwide.

Thanks to inventive minds and creative ideas, we can now enjoy coffee in many unique ways - from espresso shots to iced coffee and everything in between.

Whether you enjoy your coffee hot, cold, or with a side of history, there's no denying this delicious java beverage has come a long way over the years! 

So next time you're heading to brew a cup of joe, take a brief moment to appreciate its incredible journey from the coffee plant itself and refresh yourself on a history of coffee!