The story of who discovered coffee is a rich blend of myth, legend, and historical fact. It’s a tale that takes us from ancient Ethiopian highlands to the bustling coffeehouses of the modern world, and it all starts with some curious goats.
Who Discovered Coffee
While no single person can be credited, the discovery of coffee is deeply rooted in the ancient forests of Ethiopia. The most popular origin story involves a goat herder named Kaldi. According to legend, Kaldi lived around the 9th century in the region of Kaffa. One day, he noticed his goats behaving with unusual energy after eating the bright red berries from a certain bush. Intrigued, Kaldi tried the berries himself and experienced a similar surge of vitality.
He took the berries to a local monastery, but the abbot disapproved of them and threw them into a fire. The roasting beans produced a captivating aroma, which prompted the monks to rake them from the embers, grind them, and dissolve them in hot water. This created the world’s first cup of coffee, which the monks then used to stay awake during long hours of prayer.
From Ethiopia to the Arabian Peninsula
The journey of coffee truly began when it crossed the Red Sea into Yemen. By the 15th century, Sufi monks in Yemen were using coffee to aid concentration and ward off sleep during their nighttime devotions. It was here that coffee was first cultivated on a large scale. The port city of Mocha became so central to the coffee trade that its name became synonymous with the drink.
The Arab world perfected the brewing process, often making a drink called qahwa (meaning “that which prevents sleep”). They guarded their valuable crop closely, boiling or partially roasting beans to prevent them from being fertile if exported.
Coffee Reaches Europe and the Americas
European travelers to the Near East brought back stories of this unusual black beverage. Coffee initially met with suspicion and was even called “the bitter invention of Satan” by some clergy. However, Pope Clement VIII tasted it in 1600, found it delicious, and gave it papal approval.
The first coffeehouse in Europe opened in Venice in 1645. They quickly spread across the continent, becoming hubs for social activity, intellectual discussion, and business. In London, they were called “penny universities” because for the price of a penny, you could get a coffee and engage in stimulating conversation.
- Key European Dates: Venice (1645), England (1650), France (1672).
- The Role of Trade: The Dutch eventually smuggled a coffee plant out of the Arab ports in 1616. They then began cultivation in their colonies, like Java (Indonesia), which became another famous coffee name.
The global spread was cemented when coffee came to the Americas. In 1723, a French naval officer, Gabriel de Clieu, transported a seedling to Martinique. That single plant is credited with the spread of coffee across the Caribbean and Latin America. Brazil, now the world’s largest coffee producer, entered the industry in the 18th century after a diplomat used his charms to secure seedlings from French Guiana.
The Different Types of Early Coffee Preparation
Before the espresso machine, people enjoyed coffee in various ways. Here’s a quick look at three historical methods:
- Turkish Coffee: Finely ground beans are simmered in a pot called a cezve, often with sugar, and served unfiltered.
- Boiled Coffee (Cowboy Coffee): Coarse grounds are boiled in water, then settled with a splash of cold water before serving.
- Drip Pots: Early versions like the biggin from the 18th century used cloth bags to filter grounds.
The Evolution of the Coffee House Culture
Coffeehouses played a crucial role in social and political history. Unlike taverns which served alcohol, coffeehouses promoted sober, caffeinated conversation. They became the birthplaces of new ideas and institutions.
- Lloyd’s of London, the famous insurance market, began in Edward Lloyd’s Coffee House.
- The New York Stock Exchange has roots in the Tontine Coffee House.
- Writers, artists, and philosophers gathered in European cafes to debate and create.
This culture was so influential that authorities often viewed them with suspicion. In 1675, King Charles II of England tried to suppress coffeehouses, fearing they were hotbeds of political dissent, but public outcry forced him to back down within days.
Modern Coffee Innovations
The 20th century revolutionized how we make coffee. The invention of instant coffee in 1901 by a Japanese-American chemist, Satori Kato, provided convenience. In 1903, Ludwig Roselius invented decaffeinated coffee. But perhaps the most significant innovation for quality came from Italy.
Angelo Moriondo patented an early espresso machine in 1884, but it was Luigi Bezzera who, in 1901, created the machine that used pressure to quickly brew a concentrated shot. This laid the foundation for the entire modern coffee bar culture. Later, Achille Gaggia perfected the process by inventing the high-pressure piston machine, which created the creamy crema we associate with espresso today.
How to Make Coffee Like a Historian
Want to try a simple, historical style of coffee? Here’s a basic method inspired by early preparations.
- Coarsely grind your favorite coffee beans.
- Add cold water and grounds to a pot (about 2 tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water).
- Slowly heat the mixture until just before it boils.
- Remove from heat, let the grounds settle for a minute or two.
- Slowly pour the coffee into your cup, leaving the grounds at the bottom of the pot.
Coffee’s Economic and Social Impact
Today, coffee is one of the world’s most valuable traded commodities, second only to oil. It supports the livelihoods of over 125 million people worldwide, from small family farms to large plantations. The rise of specialty coffee and direct trade models in recent decades has focused on better quality, sustainability, and fairer prices for growers.
The “third wave of coffee” treats coffee as an artisanal product, like wine, emphasizing origin, variety, and precise brewing methods. This has led to a greater appreciation for the work that goes into every cup and has helped improve conditions in some producing regions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was coffee first discovered?
Coffee was first discovered in the region of Kaffa, in what is now Ethiopia. The plant, Coffea arabica, is native to the Ethiopian highlands.
How did coffee get its name?
The word likely evolved from the Arabic qahwa, which referred to a type of wine. This became the Turkish kahve, then the Italian caffè, and finally the English coffee. Some also link it to the Kaffa region.
When did coffee become popular in America?
While introduced in the colonial era, coffee’s popularity in America soared after the Boston Tea Party in 1773, when drinking tea became seen as unpatriotic. Coffee was adopted as the preferred national beverage.
What is the oldest way to drink coffee?
The oldest documented methods involve boiling the whole coffee cherry or the dried beans (green or roasted) in water, creating a simple infusion. The Ethiopian ceremony around brewing coffee in a jebena pot is a centuries-old tradition that continues today.
Who was responsible for spreading coffee globally?
No single person, but key figures include the Dutch, who broke the Arabian monopoly by growing coffee in Java; Gabriel de Clieu, who brought it to the Caribbean; and the Brazilian industry, which scaled production to meet global demand.
How has the discovery of coffee changed the world?
Coffee has had a profound impact. It fueled the Age of Enlightenment in coffeehouses, supported colonial economies, shaped modern social habits, and remains a massive global industry that connects millions of people across continents every single day.
What are the main types of coffee plants?
The two main species are Coffea arabica (Arabica), known for its smooth, complex flavor, and Coffea canephora (Robusta), which has a stronger, more bitter taste and higher caffeine content. Arabica accounts for about 60-70% of global production.
The story of who discovered coffee is really a story about human connection and curiosity. From a herder and his energetic goats to monks seeking focus, from Arabian traders to European entrepreneurs, coffee’s journey is woven into our shared history. It’s a drink that has sparked revolutions, fueled creativity, and provided a daily ritual for billions. Next time you sip your cup, remember that your enjoying a beverage with a past as rich and complex as its flavor.