Coffee has now become an important part of our lives. Everyone has different preferences, from Espresso and Americano to Latte and much more. But have you ever wondered how coffee beans were discovered? As we’re going to celebrate World Coffee Day on October 1, let’s know about a fascinating coffee story that connects it to a goat. So, here’s all about the history of coffee!
How Was Coffee First Discovered?
Ethiopia is famous as the birthplace of Coffea arabica. It is the coffee plant that gave us much of the coffee we drink today. Coffee plants originally grew in the forests of southwestern Ethiopia, especially in a region historically known as Kaffa. But there is no official confirmation about who discovered coffee.
But one fascinating story says that goats helped in discovering coffee.
How Did Goats Help In Discovering Coffee?
There was an Ethiopian goatherd named Kaldi. As per a News18 report, it is believed that Kaldi noticed that his goats suddenly became energetic after eating bright red berries from a certain shrub. This made Kaldi curious, so he decided to try the berries himself, and he too felt a burst of energy.
Kaldi took the coffee berries to some monks at a nearby monastery. The monks did not like the berries at first and rejected them. But when the berries were thrown into a fire, they produced a nice aroma. The monks then became curious and tried roasting the beans to make a drink. This drink helped them stay awake during their long hours of prayer.
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More About Coffee History
Yemen also plays a crucial role, as it is known for turning coffee into the beverage we drink today. By the 15th century, people in Yemen were already drinking coffee. The Sufi practitioners used to drink coffee to stay awake and alert for long religious prayers.
Then from Yemen, coffee spread to other parts of the Middle East. It later reached Europe and other parts of the world. Over time, coffee became a popular drink and an important part of people’s daily routines and café culture.
How often do you drink coffee? Tell us in the comments below!
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Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/ amenic181 & Canva Pro/ thomaszsebok
FAQs
When was coffee introduced?
The story of coffee dates back to around the 9th century.