Let's spill the beans on coffee's epic journey
The Birthplace: Ethiopia
Coffee's story begins in Ethiopia, where legend says a goat herder named Kaldi discovered coffee's energizing effects in the 9th century. The stimulating berries kept his goats awake, and the rest, as they say, is history 
Middle East & Ottoman Empire (15th-17th century)
Coffee spread to Yemen, where it was first roasted and brewed like we do today. By the 15th century, coffee houses popped up in Mecca, Cairo, and Istanbul. These "schools of the wise" were hubs for intellectuals, artists, and rebels 
Europe & Colonization (17th-18th century)
Coffee arrived in Europe via trade routes. Venice's first coffee house opened in 1689, and the concept quickly spread to London, Paris, and Vienna. Coffee fueled the Enlightenment, revolutions, and colonial expansion 
Global Conquest (18th-20th century)
- Asia: Coffee arrived in India (17th century) via pilgrims and traders. Sri Lanka (Ceylon) became a major producer.
- Americas: Coffee was introduced to Brazil (1727), which became the world's top producer.
- Africa: Colonization spread coffee to Kenya, Tanzania, and other regions.
Cool Facts & Stories
- Coffee & Revolution: Coffee houses were hubs for revolutionaries like Dadaabhoy Naoroji, an Indian independence activist who frequented London's coffee houses.
- The Boston Tea Party: Coffee became a symbol of rebellion against British tea taxes in the US.
- Brew Ban: Mecca banned coffee in 1511, fearing its stimulating effects would spark dissent
Timeline Highlights
- 9th century: Kaldi's discovery in Ethiopia
- 15th century: Coffee houses in Mecca & Cairo
- 1689: First European coffee house (Venice)
- 17th century: Coffee arrives in India
- 18th century: Global spread via colonization
- 20th century: Coffee becomes a global commodity
(Information gathered from Meta AI - Picture generated by me)
