Origins and Early Consumption

Coffee has its origins in Ethiopia, where legend has it that a goatherd named Kaldi discovered the energizing effects of coffee beans after noticing his goats became more active after eating red berries from a certain tree. The story goes that Kaldi tried the berries himself and felt invigorated, leading him to share his find with the local monastery. The monks began consuming the berries before their long hours of prayer, which helped them stay alert and focused.

Spread throughout the Middle East

From Ethiopia, coffee spread throughout the Middle East, becoming popular in countries such as Yemen and Saudi Arabia. In these regions, coffee was not only consumed for its stimulating properties but also as part of social gatherings and religious rituals. Coffeehouses emerged as centers for intellectual discussions and cultural exchange.

European Discovery and Expansion

Coffee reached Europe through trade routes in the 17th century, initially sparking controversy due to concerns over its potential addictive nature and links to witchcraft accusations during this period known as "the Burning Times." However, by the early 18th century, coffee had become an integral part of European culture with Vienna's famous Café Central serving as a hub for intellectuals like Mozart.

Rise of Colonialism and Imperialism

As European powers expanded their empires across Africa and Asia during colonial times (15th-20th centuries), they brought their love for coffee with them—often forcing native populations into cultivating cash crops like Arabica beans under exploitative conditions while suppressing local agricultural practices.

Modern-Day Coffee Industry

Today's globalized coffee industry is characterized by large multinational corporations dominating production supply chains along with smaller independent roasters catering to niche markets seeking unique flavors or sustainable practices within fair-trade certification schemes amid ongoing debates on labor rights among farm workers worldwide