When, how, and where was the world’s first coffee discovered?

Arabica, Robusta, Latte, Black, Cappuccino, Americano, Doppio, Cortado, etc. Who doesn’t know about coffee? For coffeeholic and coffee lovers, starting a day without having a cup of coffee is not a good idea. It won’t make them as much productive and active compared to when they get a sip of their favorite coffee, whether freshly brewed or instantly made. But when did humanity start to drink coffee, and where were the first beans discovered?

Whatever way you want it made, the history of coffee can be traced centuries back to the ancient coffee forests on the Ethiopian plateau through a goat herder named Kaldi.

Kaldi found out that after his goats had eaten the red berries, they became so energetic, had strange behavior, and did not want to sleep at night. With what he has observed, he immediately reported to the abbot of the local monastery. Coincidentally, the abbot also made a drink with the berries and found that it kept him alert through the long hours of evening prayer. The discovery reached other monks at the monastery, and the knowledge of the energizing berries began to spread in many places. The word about coffee moved to the east and had reached the Arabian Peninsula, and eventually led to its journey across the globe. (https://www.homegrounds.co/history-of-coffee/)

The Arabian Peninsula

Coffee had reached the north, across the red sea.  The beans first arrived in the port called Mocha, and because it became popular, the word mocha became synonymous with coffee. So any time you hear the term “mocha,” when talking about coffee, you now know where that term originated.

The cultivation and trade of coffee had reached the Arabian Peninsula. By the 15th century, it was being grown in Yemen and, by the 16th century, became known in Persia, Syria, Egypt, and Turkey. (https://www.ncausa.org/about-coffee/history-of-coffee)

Coffee was not only consumed in homes but also in many public coffee houses called gahveh khaneh. They began to appear in cities across the Near East, and people enjoyed its popularity that they even drunk them in social gatherings.

People enjoyed the coffee with their chitchats while listening to music, watching performances, playing chess, etc. They called it “wine of the Araby” The coffee houses were into the limelight as being the center for the exchange of information, referred to as “Schools of the Wise.”

Unfortunately, in the early 1500s, the court at Mecca forbidden the coffee because of its stimulating effect. The same thing also happened in Cairo, Egypt, and Ethiopia. There were riots in the Arab streets until justice was returned to the coffee drinking people. The bans were eventually lifted, but coffee faced its fair share of persecution before that.

Coffee Comes to Europe

With the European travelers coming from the Near East, the stories had reached Europe, and by the 17th century, coffee became widespread across the continent. However, some people had an aversion to its consumption because of fear and suspicion as they even call the new beverage the “bitter invention of Satan.” (https://www.homegrounds.co/history-of-coffee/)

When the coffee came to Venice in 1615, the local clergy condemned it until Pope Clement VIII decided to try the beverage and made the final verdict. After inspection, he found the drink so satisfying, and he gave in to the glory of the beverage and gave his approval.

The controversies did not stop the opening of more coffee houses, which became centers for social activities and communication in the major cities of France, Germany, England, and Australia. In England, “penny universities” sprang up due to the low price of coffees, costing just a penny for a cup of it to make you engage in a stimulation conversation and political debates. (https://www.homegrounds.co/history-of-coffee/)

In 1674, the Women’s Petition Against Coffee came about. Coffee houses became the go-to-places of English men that they spent so much time engaging in religious and political discussions at the coffee houses than in their homes. This became the reason for the women to want the coffee to be banned.

There were over 300 coffee houses in London by the mid-17th century and mostly attracted merchants, shippers, brokers, and artists.  Many businesses grew out of the specialized coffee houses such as Lloyd’s of London, which came into existence at the Edward Lloyd’s Coffee House.

Today, coffee had reached almost all places around the globe and became one of the most beloved beverages of the people regardless of seasons and how it is made – hot, cold, black, or flavored. Much more, you will love sipping a cup of coffee after finding out its fantastic history.