The origins of coffee: from legend to a drink the world loves

Origin of coffee: from Ethiopia from the mountains to today's modern cafés, the coffee road has been fascinating and full of mysteries. If you are a coffee lover, this article will help you discover how coffee came to be and how it has become an integral part of everyday life.

The initial launch of coffee

Legend has it that coffee was first discovered in the 9th century by an Ethiopian shepherd named Kaldi. He noticed that his goats became particularly energetic and restless after eating certain berries. Kaldi himself tasted the berries and felt a surge of energy. This revelation was passed on to local monks, who began to use coffee beans as a means of staying awake during long prayers. This is how coffee gradually spread to other regions.

Coffee Road to the Arabian Peninsula

Coffee was first cultivated in Yemen and became an important trade commodity in the Arabian Peninsula. In the 15th century, coffee was introduced to Sufi monks who used it to improve their mental alertness. From the Yemeni port of Mokha, coffee spread to other Arab countries and the word 'Mokha' later became synonymous with coffee.

In the 1st century, coffee became popular in the Ottoman Empire, Egypt and Persia. Coffeehouses, or "qahveh khaneh", became social meeting places where people discussed the latest news, enjoyed music and even played chess. This kind of coffee culture has survived to the present day.

Europe and the rest of the world

Coffee first appeared in Europe in the 17th century thanks to Venetian traders who brought it from the Middle East. Initially, coffee was viewed with scepticism and was even considered to be 'the devil's drink'. However, when Pope Clement VIII tasted it and found it delicious, coffee became widely accepted throughout Europe.

Soon, coffee spread all over the world, from England and France to the Americas. The first coffeehouse boom began in the 18th century and coffeehouses became the meeting places for intellectuals and businessmen.

The role of coffee today

Today, coffee is an integral part of many people's daily lives. The coffee industry is huge and plays an important role in both economic and social life. In Latvia, coffee culture is developing rapidly and people are increasingly appreciating high-quality coffee, especially arabica coffee.

If you are looking for top quality arabica coffee in Latvia, be sure to check out arabikakafija.lv, where you will find a wide range of coffees to satisfy even the most demanding coffee connoisseur.