To begin this story, the first thing you should know is that the exact origin of this exquisite fruit, which over time became the stimulating and aromatic beverage so popular throughout the world, is unknown. However, to understand the popularity of coffee as we know it today, you should know its origins and how it has evolved over the years to become an ancient beverage.
I invite you to make yourself a cup of Colombian coffee and read this ancient story. In this installment of The Coffee Shop, you'll immerse yourself in a fascinating journey through the history of coffee around the world . You'll understand its origins and importance in different countries.
First stop: Africa
Begin this journey by imagining that you are on the African continent, specifically in Ethiopia (formerly known as Abyssinia) in northeast Africa, around the year 700 AD. One of the most widespread legends about the origin of coffee refers to an Abyssinian shepherd named Kaldi, who noticed that his goats, upon consuming small red fruits from a bush he didn't recognize, began to become more active, lively, cheerful, and jumpy. Kaldi couldn't understand what was happening to his "crazy goats."
After several days, and uncertain about his goats' strange behavior, Kaldi took some berries, the kind his animals loved so much, and shared them with a monk from a monastery near his land. The first experiment was to taste the berries; without any preparation, the taste was bitter and unpleasant. Then, they tried to cook the berries in water as an infusion. Upon drinking the drink, they noticed an unpleasant aftertaste and threw it into a nearby fire. At that moment, the first discovery occurred, as the beans burned, giving off an exquisite and very pleasant smell. As time passed, the experiments continued, and one of the monks came up with the idea of ββpreparing a drink from the roasted beans. Amazed by its effects and flavor, coffee consumption gradually began to spread.
Another legend about the origin of coffee in the world is that African tribes apparently knew about coffee since ancient times, as they ground their beans and made a paste used to feed animals and increase the strength of warriors.
Second stop: Asia
Continue your journey by making the second stop on this tour of the history of coffee around the world . It is said that this crop spread from Africa to neighboring Arabia, where it became popular, taking advantage of the prohibition of alcohol under Islam. The port of Mocha in Yemen was an important cultivation center in the 15th century, from where it spread to the rest of the Arab world, as it was the main distribution center for the fruit.
Now we'll tell you a new story, related to a religious leader from Aden (Yemen), who spent several years in Ethiopia and there began drinking qahwah (the beverage we know today as coffee in Arabic). He felt that this beverage helped him be more agile in his religious activities, and that was what attracted him. But one day he began to become seriously ill, and it was qahwah that cured him. From then on, people began to say that coffee was a miraculous and healing beverage, in addition to the other effects that were already well-known at the time. For this reason, coffee became well-known among monks and various religious leaders, as they drank this infusion every morning. This helped them stay awake during long days of prayer. Its success began to be more noticeable throughout Egypt, Persia, and Turkey.
Another well-known story in Asia is that of Bada Budan, who disobeyed the Ottoman Empire's policy of prohibiting the export of any type of grain or seed to other regions in order to gain a monopoly on the marketing of certain foods and fruits, including coffee. Bada Budan hid some coffee seeds and took them to a village in India. His reason for sneaking them in was that he, too, had experienced the energy boost these red fruits produced.
Coffee arrived in Indonesia at the end of the 17th century, then conquered the entire continent during the 18th century. Since then, Indonesia has been a major coffee producer. Today, it is the fourth largest exporter in the world. Years later, an Indian coffee plant was brought to the Amsterdam Botanical Garden and spread throughout Europe.
Third stop: Europe
The third and final stop in this installment is on the European continent in the 17th century, when this fruit that revolutionized the world finally became known. History tells us that it was Leonhard Rauwolf, a German physician and botanist, who brought the first hints of coffee to Europe. He described it as a very black beverage, powerful against many ailments and illnesses. A beverage that was consumed daily in the morning by many people in Ethiopia and Yemen.
Then, towards the middle of the 20th century, Prospero Alpini, another physician and botanist, but of Italian nationality, discussed coffee in his book "Egyptian Medicine." Over the years, various writers and travelers who traveled to the Near East began to introduce the coffee fruit and drink to the entire European continent.
Its arrival wasn't well received by everyone, as its dark color and healing and energetic powers generated suspicion in various religious circles. Despite this, its success began in various places in England, Austria, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.
The Netherlands was one of the first European countries to properly grow, roast, and grind coffee, starting in the 1600s. The popularity of coffee changed European habits. Many started their day drinking beer or wine, but coffee later became the beverage that fueled them throughout the day.
Just as in Asia, coffee houses began to be important spaces where recreation and political conversations converged. In Europe, English men would leave work and spend several hours of the night in these places discussing political and religious issues. Their wives knew that when their husbands didn't come home, they were in a cafΓ©.
Origin of the word βCoffeeβ
There are two possible origins of the drink's name, one stating that it is derived from the Arabic word qahwah (similar to its use and pronunciation in the languages ββof origin), and another that etymologically connects it with the Kaffa province of southwestern Ethiopia (Abyssinia) credited as the birthplace of the plant that gives rise to the drink.
Finally, from La tienda del cafΓ© we hope you enjoyed this historical tour of the origin of coffee in its first three stops and we invite you to read our next installment, where we will continue with the story of how coffee came to America and our beloved Colombia.