History of Coffee: How Coffee Origin Starts From Goats and Monks

One of the most consumed beverages in the world – after water and tea – coffee has taken its journey across time and continents. Surprisingly, not so many people know where coffee originated. If you ever wonder about this little miraculous bean’s origin, get ready to board its complete history train.  

When Was Coffee Discovered, and How?

Despite no one knowing exactly when or how coffee was first discovered, culturally, these petite red berries are a major part of Ethiopian history, formerly Abyssinia. We can date it back to two of the most popular myths in this land – the goats and the monks.

1. The Goats Found It

The story began in 700 AD with a goat herder named Kaldi. He saw his goats were dancing – way too energetic – after munching some kind of little red berries. 

Considering it as a magic fruit, Kaldi told a monk at a local monastery who later discovered that he could make a drink from the seeds. It miraculously helped him stay awake all night of prayer and thus started the spread of the so-called “energizing berries.” 

2. The Monks and The First Roasted Coffee

Another version tells the story of Kaldi, who reported his discovery of strange berries to a monk who called it “devil’s work” and threw the seeds into the fire. To everyone’s surprise, it resulted in a nice aroma, making it the world’s first roasted coffee ever.  

Also Read: From Green to Brown: The Fascinating Process of Coffee Roasting!

In the 15^th century, coffee spread from mere myths to the North – crossing the Red Sea to Yemen – and became popular in several areas like Egypt, Persia, and Turkey. 

In the Arabian Peninsula, people drink coffee at home and in qahveh khaneh. The epicenter of social activities, these coffee houses allow them to enjoy coffee – the wine of Araby – while listening to music, playing chess, exchanging stories and news, etc. 

The Rise of Coffee in Asia, Europe, America, and Brazil

1. How Coffee Comes to Asia

Initially, it was quite difficult to get coffee beans to Asia since only Yemen had control over or grew them, requiring other countries to buy only from this country.  Not until a traveler named Baba Budan smuggled coffee beans from Yemen to India and began the coffee beans plantation. 

As for Indonesia, it began when coffee beans were sent to the Dutch Governor in Java. Initially did not go well due to various natural disasters, coffee planting business started to work well in 1704. Indonesian coffee became a staple item, making Java synonymous with coffee. Spreading to Sumatra Island, it has given further status to Indonesia as one of the coffee-producing countries and suppliers of green coffee beans.

Indonesia’s coffee production has not been limited to regular coffee beans; it is also known for producing specialty green coffee. This type of coffee is made from high-quality beans and is grown in unique regions with specific growing conditions. Indonesian specialty coffee is revered for its distinct flavor, aroma, and body.

Java, one of Indonesia’s coffee-producing regions, has produced notable coffee varieties like Java Preanger and Java Ijen. Java Preanger is known for its balanced acidity, floral aroma, and mild flavor. On the other hand, Java Ijen has a unique taste, thanks to the volcanic soil in which the beans are grown. The coffee has a spicy taste and a medium body.

Overall, Indonesia has a long and proud history of coffee production, from regular coffee beans to specialty coffee. The country’s coffee industry has contributed significantly to its economy and has put it on the map as a top coffee-producing nation.

2. How Coffee Lands in Europe

Starting in 1570, coffee gained rapid popularity in Europe with the appearance of coffee houses in the 1600s. 

• England
  Coffee houses became popular socializing epicenters. By buying a cup of coffee, anyone could start talking about anything – politics, business ideas, societies, and more.
• France
  The Turkish Ambassador introduced coffee in the 17^th century (1669), and the drink soon took over the Royal Court (during the ruling of Louis XIV) and the city of Paris.
• Austria
  Right after the Battle of Vienna (1683) ended, Austria opened its first coffee house – The Blue Bottle – uniquely from coffee stocks left by the Turkish troops who initially tried to invade the city. The popular practice of adding milk and sugar to coffee drinks starts here.

3. How Coffee Invades America

A navy captain named Gabriel Mathieu de Clieu got the coffee plants and then departed back to the Caribbean. It took only three years for the coffee plants to spread to Martinique, St. Dominique, and Guadalupe, not to mention throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. 

4. How Coffee Reaches Brazil

The story began with Colonel Francisco de Melo Palheta, who had his duty to solve problems between the Dutch and France in 1772 with a key priority of obtaining coffee plants and bringing them back to Brazil. 

In 1822 coffee production started to boom in Brazil, and in 1852 Brazil became one of the largest coffee-producing countries worldwide, even to date.

The State of Today’s Coffee Industry

Coffee took a dramatic turn in the 19^th century and became a global phenomenon, in which the coffee industry today has undergone various changes. 

1. High Tech Cofee

It mainly relates to the role of technological developments in helping various aspects of the coffee industry, ranging from planting, harvesting, brewing, and making. 

2. The Second Wave of Coffee

Starting in the 1960s and reaching its peak in the 1990s, this era’s focus moved from commodity to specialty products, representing a significant shift in how people consume, produce, and assume coffee.

3. The Third Wave of Coffee

From the end of the 1990s to the early 2000s, it went further in terms of coffee quality, resources, and preparation. The emphasis was on the production and consumption of high-quality specialty coffees. That ends our journey of where coffee originated to spread worldwide, making it one of the world’s most traded commodities with high market growth.

Also Read: Join the 3rd Wave of Coffee – Your Taste Buds Will Thank You!

In conclusion, coffee’s history is long and fascinating, with its origins tracing back to ancient times. From its discovery in Ethiopia to its spread across Asia and Europe, coffee has become an integral part of many cultures worldwide. Today, it is one of the most popular beverages globally and continues to play a significant role in economies worldwide. With a rich and diverse history, coffee is undoubtedly much more than just a beverage.