A BRIEF HISTORY OF COFFEE

The exact date of the use of coffee is not exact, but is estimated to be around the 10^th century or earlier due to a number of reports of its use. The native origin of coffee is thought to be Ethiopia, while the first reported knowledge of the coffee tree and consumption was in the Sufi monasteries of Yemen in the 15^th century. It is believed that coffee was shipped from Ethiopia to Yemen, where it was cultivated and distributed throughout the rest of the rest of the Middle East by the 16^th century—South India, Persia, Turkey, the Horn of Africa and northern Africa. The popular drink then made its way to the Balkans, Italy, the rest of Europe, South East Asia, and America.

 As I already stated, coffee was first exported from Ethiopia to Yemen and quickly became one of the most popular beverages. The people of Yemen would drink coffee at night to keep them awake during late night devotions. By the 1500’s the beverage had made its way to Egypt, and several coffee houses were open around Cairo, Egypt. From there, coffee took over the Middle East and the Ottoman Empire eventually reaching Italy and the rest of Europe. Coffee plants were then traded by the Dutch to the East Indies and the Americas.

 At one point, before its rapid spread, coffee was banned by conservative orthodox imams in the theological court of Mecca, and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church for its stimulating effects. However these bans were quickly lifted, and coffee continued to be traded and cultivated throughout the world.

America is one of the leading consumers for coffee with 4 million cups of coffee per day, and 146 billion per year consumed! 

~MegDaire~