History of Coffee; Coffee origins and Legends

The history of coffee is steeped in intriguing legends that offer insights into its discovery. One such tale originated in Ethiopia in the 9th century; a goat herder named Kaldi made a remarkable discovery of coffee. His goats consumed coffee and were so active they couldn't sleep.

Kaldi announced his discovery to local monks, who declared the coffee beans the devil's work and threw them into the fire. The fragrance of the roasting beans was divine, and the beans were roasted and preserved. The monks drank coffee, which kept them alert during their evening devotions. They began sharing their knowledge of coffee with other monks, and the news spread. A word about coffee traveled to the East, arrived in the Arabian Peninsula, and then to the world. Ethiopian coffee history, therefore, bears such significance in the discovery of coffee. To date, Ethiopia is believed to be the birthplace of coffee. 

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Ancient Coffee Cultivation and Trading 

Ancient coffee cultivation and trading are believed to have started in the Arabian Peninsula, receiving the name Arabica. At first, they used coffee for religious and medicinal purposes until later, coffee became popular and became a part of their daily lives. 

Coffee appeal grew exponentially when Muslim believers, while on pilgrimage to Mecca in the 15th century, encountered coffee and introduced it to Egypt, Persia, North America, and Turkey. By the 16th century, the significance of coffee in ancient civilizations flourished throughout the Muslim regions, becoming hubs of social interaction and intellectual exchange. 

​Coffee in the America and across the globe

​Coffee arrived in New York in the 17th century, brought by the British. Although tea initially dominated, the heavy tax on tea imposed by King George III contributed to the evolution of coffee-drinking habits in America. This rebellion ignited a growing demand for coffee, leading to ancient coffee cultivation and expansion in America. By the 18th century, coffee trade routes and coffee houses were established across the continent. 

Similar to its journey in America and Europe, coffee's history in Asia also began with an act deemed illegal. The legendary Baba Budan introduced coffee in India in the early 17th century after obtaining coffee seeds during his pilgrimage to Mecca. His visit to Mecca, therefore, played an essential role in the coffee cultivation history of India. As a result, ancient coffee cultivation took root in India, leading to exports to Europe. In the Philippines, a Spanish monk brought coffee in the 18th century, resulting in the widespread evolution of coffee drinking habits, cultivation, and subsequent exports to San Francisco and Europe.

​Understanding the Origins of Coffee Beans: The Bean Belt

To truly grasp the origins of coffee beans, it's essential to visualize the Coffee Bean Belt, a horizontal strip between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. This region encompasses countries and regions known for coffee production. The following are countries that fall between the two stripes;

• Central American – Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, El Salvador, Jamaica, Puerto Rico.

• South American – Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru

• Africa & Arabia – Burundi, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

• Indonesia – Java, Sumatra, Papua Guinea

• Southeast Asia – Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar

• Australia – North Queensland, South East Queensland.

• Hawaii.