A Brief Histroy Of Coffee
Coffee has been around for centuries, and its popularity has only grown over the years. From its humble beginnings in Ethiopia to being a staple in almost every household, coffee has become one of the most beloved beverages around the world.
This piece will take you through a brief history of coffee, from its first discovery to its current status as an international favorite. We'll explore how coffee made its way from Ethiopia to Europe and then around the world, as well as how it developed into the variety of different drinks we know today. So let's get started!
It's Brief History...
The coffee tree was first discovered in Ethiopia during the 15th century by a goat herder named Kaldi, who noticed that his goats had more energy and alertness after eating a certain type of berry. This is the first documented use of coffee. Yet it is believed that humans were brewing and drinking coffee for millennia before the plant was 'discovered'.
Coffee beans were usually found in old, discarded tombstones. Researchers believe that these early coffees were likely gathered from wild trees or plantings of the species and then boiled to produce a beverage with a bitter, earthy flavour.
After Kaldi's discovery it quickly gained popularity in Arabia and then spread throughout the Ottoman Empire. From there, it made its way to Europe where it quickly became a favourite among the aristocracy. The exact timeline of how it got to Europe from Ethiopia is not known, but there are several theories about how this happened...
One theory suggests that coffee was brought to Europe by traders from Yemen who had been trading with Ethiopia for centuries. Another theory suggests that coffee was brought to Europe by pilgrims who had visited Ethiopia on their way back from Mecca.
Whatever the case may be, coffee has been an important part of European culture for a long time and as Europeans explored new lands, they brought coffee with them and it soon found its way into many parts of Asia, Africa and the Americas.
The Cultivation of Coffee
Coffee beans have been around for centuries, but it wasn't until the 19th century that they were properly cultivated and harvested. Since then, the scientific evolution of the coffee bean has been remarkable. From the development of new varieties to advances in roasting and brewing techniques, coffee has come a long way.
There are many species under the genus, however, only two are cultivated to produce coffee: Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (Arabica and Robusta). These beans are the two main types that we consume, mostly in the form of a beverage. These beans form the basis of global coffee production and are responsible for providing us with our daily dose of caffeine!
The difference in these types is the amount of caffeine present in them – Arabica beans have around 7% caffeine, while Robusta beans have about twice that amount. These variations in caffeine content can make a big difference to our daily consumption of coffee and can also change the sourcing regions for coffee production depending on which type we prefer.
Today, scientists are using genetic engineering to create new varieties of coffee beans that are more resistant to disease and pests. They are also experimenting with different methods of processing and roasting to bring out unique flavours in each cup. With these advancements, we can expect even more exciting developments in the future of coffee.
The difference in these types is the amount of caffeine present in them – Arabica beans have around 7% caffeine, while Robusta beans have about twice that amount. These variations in caffeine content can make a big difference to our daily consumption of coffee and can also change the sourcing regions for coffee production depending on which type we prefer.
Coffee is an important part of our society, and its history is a mysterious tale told down from generation to generation. It’s original origin… unknown. Yet what we do know is that if coffee wasn’t around society wouldn’t be the same. Consumed by emperors, cherished by kings, it’s interesting to ponder on what kind of historical decisions would be different if this tiny bean weren’t around.
What ideas wouldn’t have happened? What would change? What would stay the same? We can only guess the answers to these questions as the world’s most popular beverage continues to make an impact worldwide.
