Coffee History

It is generally believed that coffee history begins in Ethiopia though that cannot be proved. Historians believe the coffee bean was chewed before it was ever brewed. Even today, chocolate covered coffee beans are considered a delicacy. Actual commercial coffee tree growing is not documented until the 15th century. After that coffee became a world staple.

The history of coffee must include reference to the history of coffee shops. The first coffee shops appeared in Arabia. Arabia is considered the first area outside of Ethiopia to grow transplanted coffee plants around 1000.A.D. The Arabs quickly came to see the coffee plant as their own. Arab coffee shops to this day are considered an important part of the culture as a social gathering place.

Italy is considered the home of espresso coffee, but the first coffeehouse didn’t actually open until 1645. From there the shops spread around the world – England, France, Germany and so on. Coffee was introduced in North America in 1607. From the 1600’s to the present, the planting and cultivation of coffee has become a worldwide economic force. Countries like Cost Rica, Guatemala, Jamaica, Kenya and Nicaragua depend on the sale of coffee beans for economic prosperity. Small family farms around the world grow the finest gourmet coffees known to mankind.

When you talk about coffee origins, history is clear on one fact – coffee has been embraced as a beneficial food and drink item since its inception. That is why the plant has traveled the world, and its use continues to grow by leaps and bounds. When you read the history of the Starbucks coffee company, it doesn’t take long to realize that coffee shops still have plenty of room to expand operations. Starbucks brought the ancient coffee shop concept to a modern United States. The company’s success has been phenomenal. Starbucks now has shops in over 35 countries and this has happened since 1986. Starbucks is now forever a part of the history of coffee.

Coffee in the United States has always been popular, but its popularity grew exponentially during the 1990’s coffee boom. History shows the Starbucks had a lot to do with this as they opened drive through coffee shops and made gourmet coffee available to the home coffee drinker. Gourmet coffees like butternut coffee became standard fare. Butternut coffee history is just one example of specialty coffee growth.

Of course, the history of coffee is not complete without mention of coffee cake history. Even people who don’t drink coffee still love coffee cake. Coffee cakes date back to the original cakes made during ancient times. Like coffee cakes, the first cakes were more like bread and contained nuts and fruit. Since then coffee cakes have been expanded to include almost every kind of ingredient possible. But their name comes from the eating of cakes with coffee drinks as a social custom.

Coffee history is fascinating!