Encyclopedia Category
The History of Coffee
Coffee's history stretches from its legendary discovery in Ethiopia to the global culture it is today. This category traces coffee's journey across continents, through the first coffeehouses, the industrialization of roasting and espresso, and the waves that shaped modern specialty coffee.
Origins in Ethiopia
Coffee is widely believed to have originated in the highlands of Ethiopia, where legend says a goat herder named Kaldi noticed his goats dancing after eating coffee cherries. From there, cultivation spread to Yemen and the wider Arab world.
By the 15th century, coffee was being cultivated and traded in Yemen, and Sufi monasteries used it to stay awake during nighttime devotions.
Spread and the Coffeehouse
Coffee spread through the Ottoman Empire and into Europe in the 17th century, where coffeehouses became centers of conversation, commerce, and politics. London's coffeehouses were nicknamed penny universities for the ideas exchanged over a cup.
The industrial era brought commercial roasting and the espresso machine, while the 20th century's waves popularized espresso drinks and then specialty, origin-focused coffee.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where did coffee originate?
Coffee is believed to have originated in the highlands of Ethiopia, where the legend of the goat herder Kaldi places its discovery, before spreading to Yemen.
When was the first coffeehouse?
The first coffeehouses appeared in the Arab world in the 15th and 16th centuries, spreading to Europe in the 17th century as centers of conversation and commerce.
When was espresso invented?
The espresso machine was invented in Italy in the early 20th century, with Angelo Moriondo's 1884 patent and Luigi Bezzera's improvements in the early 1900s.
What are the waves of coffee?
The first wave was mass commodity coffee, the second popularized espresso drinks and cafes, and the third treats coffee as an artisanal, origin-focused product.
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