To tell the history of Coffee, no matter how brief, one must go back to the very beginning. Back so far, indeed, that we must start with a legend.

The Legend

To go back to the very beginning of coffee, most writings point to a legend thought to take place in the 9th century. It talks about a goat herder in Ethiopia named Kaldi and his herd of goats.

According to the legend, Kaldi’s normally very calm goats were very energetic and restless, even unable to sleep at night. What caused this reaction? Some sort of red berries they had been eating from surrounding trees.

Noticing this, Kaldi decided to try the berries for himself! He soon realized he also became very energetic and hyper, as were his goats.

Following this, he collected some berries and took them to a local monastery to share his discovery. At the monastery, the beans were cooked on a fire and made into a drink- the first cup of coffee!

The focus and energizing effects of this drink were so drastic, news of it started to spread through the monastery. Not only the monastery, however, but soon enough, through the entire world!

Brief History of Coffee Cultivation

True or not, Kaldi’s legend is what is referred to as the initial discovery of coffee beans. Coffee that is grown around the world traces its history hundreds of years back to Ethiopia, where the legend initially did begin. A great story to introduce a delicious and fantastic drink, now known worldwide!

After the initial discovery of the coffee beans turned into a drink, coffee’s popularity spread quickly throughout Ethiopia.

By the 1400s, coffee’s spread had reached the Arabian Peninsula, mainly Yemen. This is where it really kicked off its worldwide journey.

Yemen was the first country to really cultivate coffee, and even boasts the first set of public Coffee Houses.

By the mid 1500’s, coffee is known and popular in Persia, Turkey, Syria, and Egypt.

Brief History Coffees Entrance to Europe

During the 1600s, Europe started learning of this drink that is highly popular in the Arabian world. Initially, Europeans warily looked down upon coffee, referring to it as “satans drink”.

This changed when Pope Clement VIII tried coffee for himself and gave it his total approval. Soon after, coffee was slowly making its way into and across the European continent, gaining popularity everywhere!

Following the Pope’s approval, coffee houses in Europe started to multiply and even become the centers of social activity. These public coffee houses served as the original coffee shops, perfect to be used as meeting places of all sorts.

During the same century, coffee makes its initial appearance in the American colonies.

Brief History of Coffees Expansion Worldwide

During the 1700’s, coffee continued its speedy expansion throughout Europe.

At this point, thanks to a Naval officer who smuggles a coffee plant out of a royal garden, coffee makes its way even to the faraway Caribbean.

As stated previously, public coffee houses were popular spaces for scholars, merchants, students, politicians, brokers, and artists alike. In these coffee houses, coffee began growing in popularity as a breakfast drink to get people feeling energized alert, and ready for their day!

In the American colonies, tea had been the huge favorite drink up to a certain point. However, following the Boston Tea Party, coffee’s popularity really explodes throughout the American colonies as well.

By this point, coffee is truly known and loved worldwide!

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