Legend has it that coffee’s story began around 850 CE with a goatherd named Kaldi in Ethiopia. Kaldi observed his goats behaving unusually energetic after eating certain berries. Curious, he tried the berries himself and experienced the same boost in energy. This tale marks humanity’s first recorded encounter with coffee, though the exact point when people began consuming it remains unclear. Sometime before the 1400s, people in Ethiopia started foraging for wild coffee in the forests, benefiting from its unique effects.
Nature’s Purpose: Coffee and Caffeine
The caffeine found in coffee plants likely serves distinct purposes in nature. Some scientists believe it discourages herbivores from eating the leaves, while others propose it attracts pollinators. Regardless of caffeine’s original intent, people quickly recognized the benefits coffee offered. Early coffee enthusiasts experimented by making tea from coffee leaves and blending berries with butter and salt for a portable snack. Others dried, roasted, and simmered the cherries to create an energizing drink, forming the foundation for the beverage we know today.
Coffee’s Expansion Across Continents
The spread of coffee followed major trade routes, gaining real popularity in the Middle East during the 1450s. After a notable Sufi leader visited Ethiopia, he encouraged worshippers in Yemen to incorporate coffee into religious chants and dances. This innovation inspired people in the Ottoman Empire to roast and grind beans, producing a richer, darker brew that quickly gained popularity. Coffee became central to social gatherings, with individuals meeting at guesthouses and outside mosques to enjoy the beverage together.
Coffee on Trial: Controversy and Acceptance
As coffee’s appeal grew, some authorities began to worry about its influence. Was coffee innocent or intoxicating? In 1511, a court in Mecca put coffee on trial to decide its religious suitability for Muslims. After consideration, scholars declared coffee permissible. Soon, coffeehouses appeared in Damascus, Istanbul, and many other cities, where customers not only drank coffee but also enjoyed activities like smoking and watching live entertainment.
Coffee Cultivation and the Mocha Connection
By the late 1500s, farmers in Yemen had started growing coffee commercially, exporting it through the port of Al-Makha. The port became so closely associated with coffee that its name, Mocha, is still synonymous with the drink. From Yemen, coffee was transported—or in some cases, smuggled—into India. The crop then took root in Java and other locations, while the Ottoman Empire played a pivotal role in introducing coffee to Europe.
Coffeehouses Take Europe by Storm
In Central London, the first coffeehouses opened in the 1650s. By 1663, the city boasted over 80 establishments, becoming vibrant centers for socializing and intellectual exchange. King Charles II famously tried to ban coffeehouses in 1675, but the culture persisted. Notably, in 1679, the scientist Robert Hooke publicly dissected a porpoise at Garraway’s coffeehouse—an example of the lively nature of these venues. Meanwhile, the French created their own traditions by mixing coffee with milk and sugar, turning coffeehouses into meeting places for Enlightenment thinkers like Diderot and Voltaire.
Bitter Origins: Coffee and Colonial Expansion
The popularity of coffee spurred European empires to establish plantations in Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Unfortunately, this expansion was often achieved through the exploitation of enslaved or marginalized workers. As demand for coffee grew, huge tracts of forests were cleared in Latin America, and Indigenous populations were displaced. By 1906, Brazil was producing over 80% of the world’s coffee, reflecting both the beverage’s popularity and the immense scale of its cultivation. The same year, innovation in brewing arrived with the debut of the first commercial espresso machine at the Milan World’s Fair.
The Rise of Modern Coffee Culture
Industrialization and new roasting equipment helped create a variety of coffee brands, leading to practices like the office coffee break. By the mid-1950s, nearly 60% of US factories scheduled coffee breaks for their workers. Meanwhile, as African countries gained independence, they expanded coffee cultivation, and East Asia embraced coffee as a canned, ready-to-drink product. These changes further established coffee as an integral part of daily life.
Specialty Coffee and Ethical Concerns
In recent decades, the focus shifted to specialty coffee, emphasizing quality beans and sophisticated brewing methods. This movement elevated farms in Central America and East Africa, making them hubs for premium coffee. However, persistent social challenges shadow the industry. Coffee workers in many countries continue to face harsh labor conditions and low wages, prompting calls for fair trade certification and ethical sourcing, which aim to ensure a minimum wage and promote sustainable farming practices.
Facing the Future: Coffee and Climate Change
Despite coffee’s enduring popularity, the industry faces looming threats due to climate change. The so-called “Bean Belt”—the global region where coffee grows best—is expected to shrink as temperatures and weather patterns change. The future remains uncertain, but researchers are exploring ways to cultivate more resilient coffee hybrids in hopes of preserving this beloved drink. Such innovations are vital for safeguarding both the people who produce coffee and the cherished rituals it supports.
Conclusion
Coffee’s journey from wild Ethiopian forests to kitchen tables around the globe is a tale of innovation, controversy, and adaptation. While the industry continues to grow and evolve, addressing social and environmental challenges will be crucial to ensuring that coffee remains a source of comfort and connection for generations to come.