Ethiopia is often regarded as the birthplace of coffee. The widely told tale of its discovery revolves around Kaldi, an Ethiopian goat herder, around 800 AD. Legend has it that Kaldi noticed his goats behaving unusually energetically after consuming berries from a certain tree. Curious, he tried the berries himself and experienced a similar surge of energy. Kaldi then took the berries to a local monk, who, believing them to be the work of the devil, cast them into the fire. However, as the berries roasted, they emitted a heavenly aroma, prompting the monks to retrieve them from the fire. The roasted berries were later crushed, steeped in hot water, and consumed as a drink that helped the monks stay awake during nightly prayers. Although this tale is likely apocryphal, the origins of coffee are often linked to the nomadic Oromo people of Ethiopia and northern Kenya.
Yemen also plays a key role in coffee's history. One popular Yemeni legend tells of a Sufi mystic traveling through Ethiopia, where he observed lively birds eating berries from a plant later identified as the coffee plant. Exhausted, the mystic tried the berries and discovered their energizing effects. Historically, however, coffee is believed to have been exported from Ethiopia to Yemen, where Yemeni traders cultivated it. By the 15th century, coffee was widely grown in Yemen’s Arabian district, spreading to Persia, Egypt, Syria, and Turkey by the 16th century. Coffee’s stimulating properties made it especially popular among those seeking to stay alert during spiritual practices.
The world’s first coffee house opened in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) in 1475. Coffee soon became an integral part of daily life, enjoyed at home for hospitality and in public coffee houses for socializing, playing games, and discussing news. These establishments became hubs of information exchange, often called "Schools of the Wise." Pilgrims visiting Mecca helped spread coffee’s popularity far and wide, dubbing it the “wine of Araby.”
By the 17th century, coffee reached Europe, sparking fascination among travelers. Venetian merchants played a significant role in its introduction, opening Europe’s first coffee house in Venice in 1645. Coffee quickly became a luxury commodity, initially enjoyed by the wealthy. England’s first coffee house opened in Oxford in 1651, followed by numerous others in London. These establishments, exclusively for men, became centers for business, socialization, and intellectual exchange, with many ventures originating within their walls.
Coffee also spread to France, introduced in 1669 by Suleyman Aga, an ambassador to King Louis XIV. Shortly after, Parisian coffee houses emerged, setting the stage for similar establishments across Europe. By the late 17th and early 18th centuries, coffee had become a cultural staple in Austria, Germany, and Spain. However, Europe’s climate posed challenges for cultivating coffee, prompting traders to establish plantations in warmer regions.
By the 1600s, Yemen was the primary supplier of coffee beans, with strict measures in place to prevent their cultivation elsewhere. However, Baba Budan, an Indian pilgrim, smuggled coffee beans out of Mecca in 1600, leading to the establishment of the first coffee industry outside Africa and Arabia. Dutch traders introduced coffee to Indonesia in the late 1600s, where it flourished across islands like Java, Sumatra, and Bali, making Indonesia a leading coffee producer for a time.
In the 18th century, coffee cultivation spread to Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia, through French colonizers. Meanwhile, the Dutch East India Company expanded coffee production in Java. By the mid-18th century, coffee plantations emerged across Central and Latin America, benefiting from ideal growing conditions. Today, Brazil stands as the largest coffee producer in the world.
Coffee’s journey to the New World began in 1607, when Captain John Smith introduced it to Jamestown settlers. Initially overshadowed by tea, coffee gained popularity after the American rebellion against British tea imports. Central and Latin America’s tropical climates soon became key to coffee cultivation, with plantations rapidly expanding and producing their first harvests in 1726. By the mid-18th century, Latin America emerged as a major coffee supplier, clearing vast tropical forests for cultivation. Coffee remains deeply embedded in global culture and commerce, with its origins continuing to inspire stories and traditions.