Figure 1.--This Brazilian boy is working as a coffee picker. The photo is undated, but was taken in early- 20th century, probably Sao Paulo State where coffee is grown. Coffee played a major in developing Sao Paulo as the primary Brazilian commercial center. Source: Library of Congress LC-USZ62-104097.

Researchers believe that coffee is native to central Ethiopia. There is no history of coffee being used until the middle ages. We have seen estimates with a wide chronological range (6th-9th century). A legend describes its discovery by an Arab a shepherd in Yemen named Kaldi found his goats were rather frisky around a dark green leafed shrub with bright red cherries. It is more likely that trade between Ethiopia and Arabia brought coffee beans to Arabia. Many sources report that coffee was first roasted and boiled by Arabs making "qahwa"--the origin of the English word. Anoter legend was that coffee became popular in Ethiopian Christian monastaries. Ethiopian Christians were at the timne cut off from European Christians. Coffee came to be grown in Arabia (12th century). Coffee houses appeared in both Cairo and Mecca and became an Arab passion. Trade between the Arabs and the Ottomans brought coffee to Constantinople. The first coffee shop was opened in Constaninople (1475). Two coffee houses opened later (1554). Venice both wared and traded with the Ottomans. Coffee entered Europe through Venice, the most importantv trading port in the Mediterranean (about 1600). It was a huge success. The first coffee house were opened in Italy (1654). By this time, European countries had opened the maritime trade and thus were trading in Indian Ocean ports. The first coffee house were open in England (1652). The beverage was hugely successful, but it was more than a commercial success. Coffee had a huge political impact. Coffee houses in England came to be called "penny universities" because a penny bought admission and a cup of coffee) Edward Lloyd opened a coffeehouse (1688). They soon pliferated and developed destintive reputations. Some attracted drinkers who wanted to talk about politics. Others attracted busnessmen. Lloyd's coffee house It eventually becomes Lloyd's of London, the world's first major insurance consortium. The political discussions at these coffee houses played as major role in the Glorious Revolution--the cornerstone of British democracy. Coffee also came to play an important role in the history and ecomonies of many Latin American countries.

The Plant

Coffee is commomly described as a plant. Scientists classoify it as a woody perennial evergreen dicotyledon. It belongs to the Rubiaceae family. It can grow to a relatively large height (about 10 meters) given age and ideal growing comnditions. Thus it can be described as a coffee tree. Growers generally prue the trees to promote bean production and facilitate harvesting. The coffee olant has a main vertical trunk (orthotropic) with primary, secondary, and tertiary horizontal branches (plagiotropic). There are several different coffee species, only two of which are widely cultivated today. The most important is Coffea arabica commonly called Arabica coffee. An estimated 75-80 percent of the world's coffee harvest is Arabica. The other major species is Coffea canephora which is called Robusta coffee. About 20 percent of the modern harvest is Robusta. Robusta as the name suggests is a more bigorous plant and thus easier to grow, but the beans of Arabica produce a beverage that is generally preferred as tasting better. Robusta has a higher caffeine content. Researchers believe that coffee is native to central Ethiopia.

Discovery

here is no history of coffee being used until the middle ages. We have seen estimates with a wide chronological range (6th-9th century). A legend describes its discovery by an Arab a shepherd in Yemen named Kaldi found his goats were rather frisky around a dark green leafed shrub with bright red cherries. It is more likely that trade between Ethiopia and Arabia brought coffee beans to Arabia. Many sources report that coffee was first roasted and boiled by Arabs making "qahwa"--the origin of the English word. Anoter legend was that coffee became popular in Ethiopian Christian monastaries. Ethiopian Christians were at the timne cut off from European Christians by the Arab Islamic outburt from Arabia (7th century). .

Muslim World

Coffee came to be grown in the Arabia Peninsula (12th century). Yemen was an importnt center, presumbly because of trade ties to Ethiopia. Yemen was an important enteport for Arabian trade routes. Thus coffee usage spread throughout the Arab world. Coffee houses appeared in both Cairo and Mecca and became an Arab passion. Trade between the Arabs and the Ottomans brought coffee to Constantinople. The first coffee shop was opened in Constaninople (1475). Two coffee houses opened later (1554). Venice both wared and traded with the Ottomans.

Europe

Coffee entered Europe through Venice, the nost importantv trading port in the Mediterranean (about 1600). It was a huge success. The first known coffee house were opened in Italy (1654). By this time, the Western European maritime countries had opened the sea routes and were trading for coffee in Indian Ocean ports.

England

The first coffee house were opened in England (1652). The beverage was hugely successful, but it was more than a commercial success. Coffee had a huge political impact. Coffee houses in England came to be called "penny universities" because a penny bought admission and a cup of coffee) Edward Lloyd opened a coffeehouse (1688). They soon pliferated and developed destintive reputations. Some attracted drinkers who wanted to talk about politics. Others attracted busnessmen. Lloyd's coffee house It eventually becomes Lloyd's of London, the world's first major insurance consortium. The political discussions at these coffee houses played as major role in the Glorious Revolution--the cornerstone of British democracy.

Spreading Cultivation

The Dutch and English as they acquired tropical colonies managed to obtain coffee plants and growing offee in their colonies, ending the Arab (Yemni) monopoly on Coffee.

Latin America

Coffee also came to play an important role in the history and ecomonies of many Latin American countries.

Created: 9:36 AM 3/27/2010
Last updated: 3:35 AM 2/28/2016