Facts and Timeline of the History of Coffee

For most people, their day never starts without sipping a cup of coffee first. A favorite beverage in different parts of the world. many people also drink coffee to relax and unwind after a long tiring day. But do you have any idea about the history of coffee?

The history of coffee has gone through an interesting journey from its early origins in Ethiopia to its spot on the modern-day breakfast table. 

Keep reading below to learn more about the fascinating history of this amazing beverage from its beginnings to this day:

The Legend of Kaldi

The legend of Kaldi is one of the first things you should know if you wish to be familiar with your coffee history. According to this legend, sometime during the Middle Ages, approximately around 1400 or so, Kaldi discovered coffee after he noted how his sheep seemed to have become more energetic after they snacked on a few berries. Some of the sheep even refused to sleep even when nighttime came.

Story of the origin of coffee: The legend of Kaldi and his dancing goats

After Kaldi reported to the local monastery about his discovery, the monastery priest prepared tea using the same beans. He then noticed how drinking the tea made it easier for him to finish his late-night prayer. This secret was later shared by the priest with the rest of the monks, thus marking the birth of coffee. 

Arabian Peninsula

Soon after, coffee also spread to the rest of the Arabian Peninsula. Coffee trees were cultivated by the year in 1400 in Arabia, Yemeni. After around 100 years, it also rose to popularity as a favorite beverage in Egypt, Persia, Syria, and Turkey. 

The people in these places didn’t only enjoy coffee at home. Some cafes known as gahveh knaneh also popped up and these weren’t too different from the modern cafes that everyone is familiar with these days. 

History of coffee - Arabia
Discover the rich history of coffee, tracing its origins to the Arab world where it was first brewed and savored alongside sweet dates for centurie

People would gather in a gahveh knaneh, watch a play or listen to music, catch up on the latest local news, and engage in fun conversations, all the while enjoying a cup of good coffee. 

Mecca also became a critical trading center. It was located by the Red Sea on the Arabian Peninsula. As a result, news of a beverage with a great taste that increased energy levels spread fast soon after. 

European Coffee

When the 1600s came, coffee has already become very popular to the extent that news about it spread all over Europe as well. However, in 1615, the clergy of Venice learned about it and condemned coffee as a drink of the devil. 

But due to the extreme popularity of coffee at that time, this condemnation only stirred a controversy. The people clamored for the Pope to step in and provide a solution. The Pope decided to taste the beverage himself. He gave it his approval after he found the drink to be very satisfying, thus also allowing the public to drink the beverage again. 

History of coffee in Europe
By 1650, London’s coffee history saw over 300 bustling coffee shops

Coffee houses spread fast to the rest of Europe, including Germany, France, and Austria. These coffee houses were also called penny universities since you only need a penny to buy a coffee and learn more about the news in the local area as well as other happenings from the rest of the patrons. 

Coffee also became a replacement for morning wine or beer for most people, helping their day to be more productive as a result. There were already over 300 coffee shops by 1650 in London alone, which only showed the level of popularity that the beverage has earned. 

History of Coffee in America

It was during the mid-1600s when coffee finally arrived in America, not long after the boom of London’s coffee houses. While coffee was well-liked by the Americans, tea continued to be their favorite.

History of coffee in the United States of America

But when a heavy tea tax was imposed by King George III in 1773 leading to the Boston Tea party, coffee soon became the new favorite drink among Americans. Even Thomas Jefferson himself named coffee the civilized world’s favorite drink. 

More Plantations

With the growing demand for coffee, it was only natural that there was also a need to plant more coffee trees. The first Europeans who obtained seedlings were the Dutch and there were able to begin a profitable coffee production on the island that has now become Indonesia. The Dutch had a very successful crop that allowed them to expand further to the islands of Celebes and Sumatra. 

History of coffee - plantation
Coffee history saw the Dutch start profitable coffee production in Indonesia

The Americas’ Coffee Plantations 

The Mayor of Amsterdam gave a young coffee tree as a gift to King Louis XIV of France in the year 1714. The king planted the tree in the Royal Botanical Garden. In 1724, after several years, Gabriel de Clieu, a young naval officer, battled pirate attacks, bad weather, a saboteur, and many others just to bring a seedling from the plant of the king to Martinique. 

Coffee plantation
Americas coffee plantations during the harvest period

After they planted the seedling, it grew quickly, and in just a matter of 50 years, over 28 million trees were grown from that one seedling. It was also the same seedling that became responsible for the coffee trees growing in both the Americas and the Caribbean to this day. These trees are currently bringing in over $1 billion in profit for various countries all over the world. 

Timeline of Coffee History 

Here is a quick overview of the timeline of the history of coffee:

  • Before 1400: Legend states that a shepherd named Kaldi discovered coffee.
  • 1400: There were already coffee trees being grown and cultivated in Yemeni, Arabia.
  • 1500: The beverage became popular in Persia, Turkey, Egypt, and Syria.
  • 1600: Coffee reached European soil.
  • 1615: Pope Clement VIII declared that coffee isn’t a work of Satan.
  • 1650: London witnessed the opening of over 300 coffee shops. 
  • 1650: The Americans tasted coffee for the first time.
  • 1675: The Dutch grew new coffee trees from seedlings. 
  • 1714: A coffee tree from Amsterdam was given as a gift to King Louis XIV of France.
  • 1773: America named coffee as their new favorite drink.
  • 1800: Over 18 million trees grew from one seedling obtained from the tree given to King Louis XIV of France.

Now that you know more about the history of coffee, you will surely enjoy your favorite pick-me-up beverage even more. 

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