Coffee is one of the world's most popular beverages. With each passing year, we witness the emergence of new trends in coffee brewing, as enthusiasts explore innovative flavors and inventive ways of consumption. Yet, amidst this ever-evolving landscape of coffee culture, one cannot help but wonder: How did this drink ascend to such universal acclaim? Where did its journey begin?
There is a very interesting legend going around the origin of coffee: once upon a time, in the forests of Ethiopia a goat herder called Kaldi noticed his goats are behaving strangely, being more energetic than usual. He then saw that his goats have been chewing unknown red berries and have tried some himself. After some thoughts he decided to bring these berries to the monastery to ask the head monk's opinion and permession for the consumption of these berries, which makes the spirit elevated. The monks realized that these magical beans are able to keep them awake during long evening prayers and shared these findings with other monks in the monasteries, thus spreading the word about the drink made from these beans.
This discovery spread to the Arabian Peninsula, where coffee cultivation and trade started to flourish. By the 15th century, coffee had become popular in the Islamic world, with coffeehouses emerging as centers of social activity and intellectual discourse. It first reached Yemen, followed by the Holy City of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the Levant Region until it reached Ottoman Empire (Modern Turkiye) from Syrian traders in the middle of 16th century.
Interestlingly, coffee in the Middle East was not always a welcomed drink. As such, during the reign of Sultan Murad IV in Ottoman Empire coffee was banned due to concerns over potential social unrest, moral and religious objections, and economic considerations. Sultan Murad and religious authorities considered coffeehouses as hubs of political dissent and immoral behavior, leading to the prohibition of coffee consumption. The city of Mecca as well as Egypt had also at some point of history had concerns over the consumption of this beverage. However, resistance from the population, economic repercussions, and coffee's deep cultural significance eventually led to the ban's lifting.
The beverage's popularity continued to spread, eventually reaching Europe and the rest of the world, leading to the global coffee culture we know today. As the demand for coffee grew, various European nations competed to cultivate it outside of Arabian Peninsula. During the Age of Exploration, European colonial powers established trade routes and colonies in regions where coffee was cultivated, such as the East Indies and Africa. This facilitated the spread of coffee to new territories under European control. For example, the Dutch cultivated coffee plants in Java, Indonesia, while in the Americas, coffee was introduced by other European colonists such as the British in the city of current New York. In the Caribbean, coffee was first planted in Martinique and Haiti in the early 18th century. From there, it spread to other Caribbean islands and eventually to mainland Latin America, particularly Brazil.
By the end of the 18th century, coffee had not only permeated cultures worldwide but had also become a driving force in global trade, shaping economies and societies. Its journey from the forests of Ethiopia to becoming one of the world's most profitable export crops is a testament to its enduring appeal and significance in human history. Even today, coffee continues to captivate people across the globe, symbolizing not just a beverage but a shared experience that transcends borders and generations.
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