Coffee In The Times Gone By

Coffee has travelled and gone places, in literal terms. Although coffee is grown in many countries, the origin is said to be in Ethiopian highlands.

The legend of Kaldi

Coffee is believed to be discovered by Kaldi, a goatherd, in Ethiopian highlands. He found that his goats would not sleep at night if they had berries of a particular tree. Kaldi reported this finding to the head of a local monastery. The head of the monastery prepared a drink from the berries and found that the drink made him stay alert during the long hours of evening prayers. Slowly the word spread to other people and other pats of the land, about the berries and the energizing effects of drink made out of the berries.

Coffee and the Arabs

The Arabs are believed to be the first ones to cultivate coffee and start its trade. In Muslim tradition, alcohol is a forbidden drink, therefore, coffee became an acceptable substitute.

• Fifteenth century- Coffee was being grown in the Yemeni district of Arabia
• Sixteenth century- Coffee was being grown in Persia, Egypt, Syria and Turkey

Qahveh khaneh

This term refers to public coffee houses which began appearing in cities across the Near East. These coffee houses were the hub for all social activities like music, live performances, chess and general conversations. The coffee houses were also called as the 'Schools of the Wise' as they were the center for exchange of information.

Wine of Araby- The holy city of Mecca was visited by thousands of pilgrims, who spread the word about ‘wine of Araby’ beyond Arabia.

Coffee travels to Europe

Coffee came to Russia in 17th century, and because widely popular. Some people called it 'bitter invention of Satan.' It came to Venice in 1615, and was considered a controversial drink. Pope Clement VIII intervened in the controversy. In order to give a fair trial, he tasted it himself and found it very satisfying. Ehence, coffee was given Papal approval.

Penny universities

The term was used for coffee houses that sprang up in major cities of England, Austria, France, Germany and Holland, and became hub for social activity and communication. They were called penny universities because for the price of a penny one could purchase a cup of coffee and engage in thought-provoking conversation. By the mid-17th century, there were over 300 coffee houses in London.

Lloyd's of London

Coffee houses became the center for business interactions. Lloyd's of London, was formed at the Edward Lloyd's Coffee House.

Coffee in The New World

Coffee was brought to New Amsterdam, a location later called New York by the British in the mid-1600's. Tea was the favoured drink of the Americans until heavy tax was imposed on tea by King George. Following the revolt, known as the Boston Tea Party, coffee became the most sought after drink among Americans.

Arabs lose monopoly in coffee plantations

Arabs used to closely guard the coffee trade and its plantation. However, in the latter half of the 17th century, the Dutch succeeded in obtaining some coffee seedlings. The seedlings failed to grow in India, but were successfully cultivated in Batavia, on the island of Java, later expanding to the islands of Sumatra and Celebes.

Coffee in France and Americas- In 1714, the Mayor of Amsterdam presented a gift of a young coffee plant to King Louis XIV of France. This plant was planted in the Royal Botanical Garden in Paris. In 1723, Gabriel de Clieu, a young naval officer, got a seedling from the King's plant and transported it to Martinique. The seedling thrived and later spread to over 18 million coffee trees on the island of Martinique in the next 50 years. The coffee trees throughout the Caribbean, South and Central America are believed to be originated from the same stock.

Coffee in Brazil

The emperor of Brazil sent Francisco de Mello Palheta to French Guiana to obtain coffee seedlings. It is believed that he impressed the French Governor's wife who presented him with the seedling hidden away in a boutique of flowers as a farewell gift.

Having travelled all across the world, coffee today, is the most important item for trade. It is the backbone of economy for many countries.