Coffee, a drink that is now popular all over the world, has a mysterious and legendary origin and evolution.

When did people start drinking coffee? How did it spread around the world? This article will explore the historical origins of coffee and its spread.

The Origin of Coffee

There are many legends and stories about the origin of coffee, the most well-known of which is the story of Kaldi, an Ethiopian shepherd. Legend has it that in the 9th century AD, Kaldi found that his goats became extremely excited after eating a kind of red berry and could not sleep all night.

Curious Kaldi brought this magical berry to the local monks, who found that these berries could help them stay awake during long prayers. As a result, coffee was gradually regarded as a plant with stimulating effects and spread among the monasteries.

Although this story is legendary, archaeological evidence shows that coffee did originate in the highlands of Ethiopia. Here, coffee trees are believed to have been found in natural environments, and the earliest users may have been local tribes, who would mix coffee berries into a paste for consumption.

The Spread of Coffee

Coffee spread from Ethiopia to the Arabian Peninsula around the 15th century AD. Monasteries in Yemen became the main centers for the spread of coffee.

Arabs roasted and ground coffee beans and brewed them with hot water, and this drinking method gradually became popular.

In the 16th century, coffee spread to Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, and quickly became a popular social drink. As a new social venue, coffee houses also began to rise during this period.

These coffee houses not only provided coffee but also became places for political discussions, literary creation, and musical performances, which had a profound impact on cultural life.

The Popularity of Coffee in Europe

In the 17th century, coffee was introduced to Europe and was first introduced by merchants in Venice. At first, Europeans were not very receptive to this bitter drink, but with the rise of coffee houses and the promotion of the aristocracy, coffee gradually became a fashionable drink.

In 1650, the first coffee house was opened at the University of Oxford in the UK, and then coffee houses quickly rose in cities such as London, Paris, and Vienna.

Coffee houses are not only places to enjoy coffee but also places for the exchange of ideas and cultural collision. Many literary works, political discussions, and scientific discoveries were born in coffee houses.

For example, French Enlightenment thinkers Voltaire and Rousseau and British scientist Newton often visited coffee houses.

Modern Development of Coffee

After entering the 20th century, coffee gradually became one of the most consumed beverages in the world. With the development of industrialization, the production and processing technology of coffee has continued to improve, and new products such as instant coffee and capsule coffee have emerged, greatly facilitating people's lives.

At the same time, coffee culture has also spread widely around the world. The coffee culture in different regions has its characteristics, such as espresso in Italy, and latte in France.

In the 21st century, coffee chain brands such as Starbucks and Costa have opened a large number of stores around the world, further promoting the globalization of coffee culture.

From goat ranches in Ethiopia to coffee houses worldwide, coffee has undergone a long and rich historical evolution. It is not only a drink, but also a symbol of culture.

Whether in the rush of the early morning or the leisurely afternoon, coffee attracts countless people with its unique charm. In the future, as technology and culture continue to develop, coffee will continue to evolve and play an important role in human life.