Coffee, one of the world's most beloved beverages, has a rich and intriguing history that traces back to ancient Ethiopia. This article delves into the origins of coffee, exploring the legends surrounding its discovery and its journey to the Middle East and beyond. Along the way, we'll uncover fascinating facts and statistics that highlight coffee's global impact.
Ethiopia, often referred to as the cradle of humanity, is also the birthplace of coffee. The first Homo sapiens are believed to have originated in this eastern African land around 400,000 years ago. Similarly, historians point to Ethiopia as the place where coffee beans were first discovered.
Coffee plants were initially found in the Kaffa region of Ethiopia. The similarity between the region's name, Kaffa, and the English word "coffee" has led many etymologists to believe they are related. However, not all experts agree. In the Kaffa area, the plant and its fruit are called "bunn" or "bunna." An alternative etymology suggests that the Turkish word "kahve," which passed into Italian as "caffe" and later into English as "coffee," is the true origin. "Kahve" itself comes from the Arabic "qahwa," meaning "to have no appetite," as coffee was thought to suppress hunger.
Several legends surround the discovery of coffee, each adding a layer of mystique to its history.
One of the most famous legends involves an Ethiopian goatherd named Kaldi. According to a story first printed in 1671 CE, Kaldi observed his goats becoming hyperactive after eating red berries from a bunn plant. Curious, he tried the berries himself and experienced a similar burst of energy. Kaldi, a religious man, took the berries to Muslim imams, who initially dismissed them as the devil's work. However, when the berries were thrown into the fire, they produced an appealing aroma. The imams retrieved the roasted berries, ground them, and poured water over the grounds, creating the first cup of coffee.
Another legend involves a Yemeni Sufi mystic named Ghothul Akbar Nooruddin Abu al-Hasan al-Shadhili. While traveling in Ethiopia, he noticed lively birds eating bunn plant berries. He tried the berries and experienced a surge of vitality, similar to Kaldi's experience.
A third story, found in the Abd-Al-Kadir manuscript, attributes the discovery of coffee to a Yemeni named Omar. Exiled to a cave in the Ousab desert, Omar found red coffee berries but found them too bitter to eat. He roasted the berries, which only hardened them. To soften the seeds, he boiled them, producing a fragrant brown liquid that he drank, becoming the first person to taste coffee.
By the 13th century, coffee was widely used in Arabia, with some historians suggesting its use began as early as the 10th century. By the 15th century, Yemenis were importing coffee berries and beans from Ethiopia and cultivating the plant themselves.
Sufi mystics found coffee particularly useful for staying awake during nighttime prayers. The Whirling Dervishes also adopted coffee, further cementing its reputation as a religious drink. From Yemen, coffee spread to Mecca, Medina, Cairo, Baghdad, Damascus, and Istanbul. Mocha, strategically located between Ethiopia and the Middle East, became a major coffee trading center from the 15th to 17th centuries, even lending its name to the popular coffee and chocolate drink.
To promote trade, Yemenis encouraged coffee drinking, leading to the emergence of coffeehouses called "kahve kanes" throughout the Arab world. These establishments were not just places to drink coffee but also hubs for entertainment and socialization, featuring music, singing, and dancing. However, the political discussions that took place in coffeehouses eventually led to their ban.
Orthodox Muslim imams in Mecca declared coffee the devil's product in 1151, leading to its repression. However, Ottoman Turkish Sultan Selim I ordered the Grand Mufti Mehmet Ebussuud el-Imadi to issue a fatwa lifting the ban in 1524. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church also banned coffee, but this was revoked in the mid-1800s.
By the 17th century, Venetian merchants trading with North Africa and the Middle East introduced coffee to Italy. From there, it spread to Europe and eventually the rest of the world.
The journey of coffee from the highlands of Ethiopia to the global stage is a testament to its enduring appeal and cultural significance. Whether through the legends of Kaldi, the Yemeni mystic, or Omar, coffee's rich history continues to captivate and inspire. As we sip our daily brew, we are partaking in a tradition that spans centuries and continents, connecting us to a shared human experience.
This article has been crafted to provide a comprehensive and engaging overview of coffee's origins and its journey to global prominence. For more detailed information, you can explore authoritative sources such as the International Coffee Organization and Statista.
