The origin of coffee dates back to ancient Ethiopia, where legend tells of a goat herder named Kaldi. Around the 9th century, Kaldi noticed that his goats became unusually energetic after eating berries from a certain tree. Curious, he tried the berries himself and felt a surge of vitality. A local monk later used the berries to make a drink that helped him stay awake during long prayers—marking the first known use of coffee as a stimulant.
From Ethiopia, coffee spread to the Arabian Peninsula, where it gained popularity in Yemen during the 15th century. The Yemeni city of Mocha became a major center for coffee trade. It was in Arabia that coffee began to be roasted and brewed similar to how we prepare it today.
By the 17th century, coffee reached Europe and quickly became a popular beverage. Coffeehouses sprang up across major cities and became centers for social interaction, earning them the nickname “penny universities” for the lively discussions they hosted.
Eventually, coffee cultivation spread to Asia and the Americas through colonial expansion. Today, coffee is a global commodity and a daily ritual for millions around the world—rooted in ancient discovery, yet deeply woven into modern life.