The background of coffee is very interesting. It goes back hundreds of years and across countries. The story of coffee looks at cultural, economic and social aspects to show how this popular drink has become an important part of society around the world. Here is a quick look at the history of coffee around the world:
1. It comes from Ethiopia: A story says that in the 9th century, an Ethiopian goat herder called Kaldi found coffee in Ethiopia. It was interesting to Kaldi that the nuts from a certain tree made his goats more active, so he decided to give them a try himself.
2. Make it to the Arab world: In the Arab world, people learned how to grow coffee and make coffee. Around the year 1400, coffee was grown on the Arabian Peninsula, mostly in Yemen. The Arabians were the first people to roast coffee beans and make coffee, which laid the groundwork for the coffee culture.
3. Middle Eastern coffee shops: In the Middle East, coffee shops called qahveh khaneh became famous places for people to meet up. People came to these places to talk, listen to music and share their ideas. Along trade lines, coffee then made its way to Persia, Egypt, Syria and Turkey.
4. Getting to Europe: In the 1600s, coffee made its way to Europe. In 1645, the first cafe in Europe opened in Venice. They quickly became famous all over Europe. People used to talk and argue in coffee shops, which is why they were sometimes called “penny universities” because you could learn something for just a penny.
5. The Ottoman Empire and coffee: During the Ottoman Empire, coffee became an important part of everyday life. The Turks brought a way to make coffee that is similar to how Turkish coffee is made today: they used finely ground beans and water in a small pot called a cezve.
6. Coffee in the United States and Canada: European sailors brought coffee to the Americas in the 1600s. In the Caribbean, Central America and South America, especially Brazil, coffee farms were set up. The warm weather in these areas made it possible to grow coffee perfectly.
7. The rise of coffee shops in England: English coffeehouses became famous in the 1700s, serving the same intellectual and social purposes as their peers in the Middle East and Europe. The London Stock Exchange and Lloyd’s of London both got their start in coffee shops.
8. Coffee and rule by colonists: European colonialism had a lot to do with the spread of coffee farming. Slaves were often used to work on coffee farms in the Americas, and the popularity of coffee had a big impact on how people traded around the world.
9. The rise of industry and mass production: As a result of the Industrial Revolution, coffee supply and delivery got better. There is a lot of coffee available because of instant coffee, canned coffee and the rise of coffee shops.
10. The rise of specialty coffee: Specialty coffee has become more important since the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st. People who buy coffee and people who make coffee are both more interested in high-quality beans that are found in an ethical way. This has led to the growth of craft coffee shops and a focus on the unique flavors of each type of coffee.
These days, coffee is still changing and there is a rich and varied culture around growing, making and drinking it. The past of coffee shows that it has always been popular and can bring people together. For example, in Ethiopia, people hold traditional coffee ceremonies. In places like Seattle and Melbourne, there is a strong coffee culture.