The Rich History and Global Spread of Coffee​

A Beverage Born in Africa, Embraced Worldwide​

Coffee's journey is a fascinating tale that begins in the highlands of Ethiopia. Legend has it that a goat herder named Kaldi discovered coffee when he noticed his goats became unusually energetic after eating the berries from a certain plant. This chance discovery led to the initial use of coffee in the region, first as a food source and later as a brewed beverage.​

From Ethiopia, coffee made its way to the Arabian Peninsula. By the 15th century, coffee was widely consumed in the Arab world, and the city of Mocha in Yemen became a major center for coffee trade. The Arabs developed the art of roasting coffee beans, which transformed the raw berries into the rich - flavored ingredient we know today. They also kept the coffee - growing process a closely guarded secret for centuries, maintaining their monopoly on the trade.​

In the 17th century, coffee finally reached Europe. It was initially seen as a luxury item and was popular among the wealthy and intellectuals. Venice was one of the first European cities to embrace coffee, with the opening of the first coffeehouse in 1645. These early coffeehouses, often referred to as "penny universities," became gathering places for people to discuss politics, literature, and business. From Venice, coffeehouses spread across Europe, including to London, Paris, and Amsterdam. In London, coffeehouses became so popular that they numbered over 3,000 by the end of the 17th century.​

The 18th century saw the expansion of coffee cultivation beyond the Arab world. Dutch traders smuggled coffee plants out of Yemen and successfully cultivated them in their colonies, such as Java in Indonesia. Later, coffee was introduced to the Americas. In Brazil, coffee found its ideal growing conditions, and the country would eventually become the world's largest coffee producer.​

In the 19th and 20th centuries, coffee became even more accessible globally. Technological advancements in transportation and brewing methods made it easier to ship coffee beans around the world and prepare a good cup of coffee at home. The rise of coffee chains in the late 20th century, such as Starbucks, further popularized coffee culture on a global scale.​