History of Coffee: A Brief Summary of the World’s Most Beloved Drink

The Legend of Discovery

The article begins with an intriguing question about coffee’s sacred and forbidden past, then presents the legendary origin story. According to tradition, a goat herder named Kaldi discovered coffee’s energizing properties when his animals consumed the plant’s leaves and fruits, becoming unusually energetic. He shared this discovery with a monk, who either brewed an infusion to enhance nighttime meditation or rejected the plant until being captivated by its aroma when burning it.

Ethiopian Origins and Arab Expansion

The beverage gained traction in Ethiopia, where people consumed the fruit’s pulp and fermented juices. Coffee later reached Yemen, where cultivation expanded commercially. The port city of Mocha became the main distribution center - a name that survives in today’s “Mocha” terminology.

Spread Across the Arabian Peninsula

Coffee spread across the Arabian Peninsula, particularly benefiting from Islamic prohibitions on alcohol. The first coffee house opened in Istanbul in 1475, establishing what became known as “schools of the wise” - social spaces for conversation, music, and intellectual exchange. Despite initial resistance and periodic bans, these establishments eventually became institutionalized through taxation.

European Adoption

European adoption began with Venetian merchants in the 16th century. Initial Catholic Church opposition - viewing the beverage as a “pagan” Muslim custom - dissolved after Pope Clement VIII granted his blessing. Dutch growers achieved success in greenhouses, enabling the proliferation of European coffee houses, particularly in 17th-century London.

Global Expansion

Dutch merchants subsequently introduced coffee to the Americas and Indonesia. American colonists embraced the beverage after British tea taxation provoked rebellion, accelerating global demand. Portuguese royalty strategically established cultivation in Brazil, which eventually became the world’s leading producer.