The History of Coffee

The History of Coffee I

Origins

No one knows exactly how or when coffee was discovered, though there are many legends about its origin.

Coffee grown worldwide can trace its heritage back centuries to the ancient coffee forests on the Ethiopian plateau. There, legend says the goat herder Kaldi first discovered the potential of these beloved beans. The story goes that that Kaldi discovered coffee after he noticed that after eating the berries from a certain tree, his goats became so energetic that they did not want to sleep at night. Kaldi reported his findings to the abbot of the local monastery, who made a drink with the berries and found that it kept him alert through the long hours of evening prayer. The abbot shared his discovery with the other monks at the monastery, and knowledge of the energizing berries began to spread. As word moved east and coffee reached the Arabian peninsula, it began a journey which would bring these beans across the globe.

Coffee cultivation and trade began on the Arabian Peninsula. By the 15th century, coffee was being grown in the Yemeni district of Arabia and by the 16th century it was known in Persia, Egypt, Syria, and Turkey.

Coffee began to replace the common breakfast drink beverages of the time — beer and wine. Those who drank coffee instead of alcohol began the day alert and energized, and not surprisingly, the quality of their work was greatly improved.

In the mid-1600's, coffee was brought to New Amsterdam, later called New York by the British. Though coffee houses rapidly began to appear, tea continued to be the favored drink in the New World until 1773, when the colonists revolted against a heavy tax on tea imposed by King George III. The revolt, known as the Boston Tea Party, would forever change the American drinking preference to coffee. "Coffee - the favorite drink of the civilized world." - Thomas Jefferson

Missionaries and travelers, traders and colonists continued to carry coffee seeds to new lands, and coffee trees were planted worldwide. Plantations were established in magnificent tropical forests and on rugged mountain highlands. Some crops flourished, while others were short-lived. New nations were established on coffee economies. Fortunes were made and lost. By the end of the 18th century, coffee had become one of the world's most profitable export crops. After crude oil, coffee is the most sought commodity in the world.

Today, "America run's on Dunkin!" Or at least myself and most of New England does!

"New England’s love for Dunkin’ Donuts flows deeper than Seattle’s love for Starbucks. Even though the homegrown coffee giant, Starbucks, is popular in the U.S. — and particularly in Seattle — data shows that New Englanders are more hooked on their local chain than we are on Starbucks."

My love affair with Dunkin prompted this entire assignment. I am a New Englander, do you see how deep down the rabbit hole we are when it comes to Dunkin coffee? Coffee is serious business. Dunkin gets it!

Check out this short video on the history of coffee!

All information on this article taken directly from:

The National Coffee Association of USA -- https://www.ncausa.org/about-coffee/history-of-coffee

The Seattle Times -- https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/data/new-englands-love-for-dunkin-donuts-flows-deeper-than-seattles-love-for-starbucks/

Created By

William Kenyon

Appreciate

Credits:

Created with images by LoboStudioHamburg - "coffee coffee beans scoop" • Christoph - "coffee coffee beans cup" • Comfreak - "coffee beans coffee beans" • pixel2013 - "coffee beans cup coffee cup" • israelbest - "coffee cold weather mug" • Engin_Akyurt - "coffee pen notebook" • grafmex - "coffee drink hot" • shixugang - "coffee milk coffee beans" • kaboompics - "coffee cup mug" • Couleur - "coffee coffee cup porcelain" • pixel2013 - "coffee cup filter" • Alexas_Fotos - "coffee beans coffee roasted" • Myriams-Fotos - "coffee cup coffee heartbeat"