Hey there, coffee enthusiast! It’s Mark, a blogger, traveler, and barista, and I’m thrilled to take you on a journey through the captivating history of coffee.
TLDR: the short history of coffee beans
“If it’s good for the goats, it must be good for us too!” – thought the goat herder, and he shared this information with the local religious communities who began experimenting with the coffee beans. They brewed a beverage from it and noticed that coffee helped them stay awake during night-time prayers.
From that point on, coffee started to spread rapidly. It was cultivated, loaded onto ships, and headed towards the Arabian Peninsula.
Later on, this initially bitter and black drink arrived in Europe, where it was first labeled the “devil’s drink.” Nonetheless, Italy embraced it, and in Central Europe, people got to savor it from the 16th century, courtesy of the Ottoman-Turkish army.
In the 18th century, Thomas Jefferson referred to coffee as “the favorite drink of the civilized world.” By the 19th century, coffeehouses could be found in any civilized city around the globe.
Where did coffee originate?
The legends whispered that Ethiopia cradled the birthplace of coffee, and it all started with a curious goat herder.
When was coffee discovered?
Picture this: around 800-850 an Ethiopian goat herder was tending to his goats when he noticed something peculiar. After nibbling on some mysterious berries, his goats were brimming with energy!
However, the fascinating tale of coffee begins in the 15th century, when its popularity first blossomed in the lands of West Africa and later found its way to the Arabian Peninsula.
How was coffee discovered?
The ingenious goat herder spread the word among local religious communities, and they began to experiment with the beans. Soon, they brewed the beans into a delightful beverage that left them wide awake during their nightly prayers. That’s when they knew they stumbled upon something truly extraordinary!
The first coffee drink
From those humble beginnings, the wonders of coffee swiftly spread like wildfire. The brew made its way to Europe, where it was initially dubbed the “devil’s drink” due to its dark and bitter nature. But Italy embraced it with open arms, and by the 16th century, Central Europe couldn’t resist the allure of coffee, thanks to the Ottoman-Turkish influence.
The spread of coffee beans
As the 18th century dawned, coffee gained popularity and admiration across Europe, becoming the beloved “favorite drink of the civilized world,” according to none other than Thomas Jefferson himself.
Coffee in the new age
And so, the marvelous story of coffee continued to unfold. From coffeehouses that sprouted up as hubs of culture and social interaction to the magical moment of Pope Clement VIII declaring it as a permissible Christian drink, coffee’s influence expanded far and wide.
Coffee in the modern era
Fast forward to the 20th century, when coffee became an integral part of daily life for millions. It evolved into a billion-cup commodity, bringing people together, crossing borders, and uniting cultures. From specialty coffee to instant delights, decaffeinated brews to Turkish traditions, coffee has become a staple, celebrated worldwide.
History of coffee: how long has coffee been around?
From its humble Ethiopian origins to traversing continents and oceans, coffee has stood the test of time. We discovered this fascinating fruit circa 1200 years ago, and it has become more and more common in the last 200 years.
This was the short history of coffee from its discovery by a curious goat herder to its status as a traded commodity. Let’s raise our cups to the remarkable journey of this magical elixir! Coffee will continue to fuel our passions, conversations, and adventures!
