International Coffee Day 2024: 5 surprising historical facts about coffee

The morning brew that we enjoy each day has been discovered in the most offbeat ways. Coffee has turned out to be the favourite drink for stress relief and to keep ourselves energised. It was developed after a goat consumed the beans and an accidental discovery involving the roasting of red berries on fire. Let's have a look at the history of coffee on International Coffee Day.

With the start of the day, a morning ritual begins for almost all of us: news, breakfast, a little chit-chat, and a cup of our precious beverage, coffee. Something is intriguing about the bitter flavour that continues to captivate our senses, along with its powerful aroma; you're not alone in savouring this invigorating drink.

On average, around 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed each day across the entire world! Coffee has become an essential part of life for millions. But the story behind the conversion of coffee into a caffeinated phenomenon is amazing.

Do you know how coffee conquered the globe? From its simple beginnings in Africa to being criticised religiously by Islam and Christianity, to Europe's obsession.

It was during a meeting of the International Coffee Organisation that October 1 was declared as International Coffee Day. The day has since been recognised globally as a significant milestone in the celebration of coffee.

Here is a brief story about coffee on International Coffee Day that you should know.

HISTORY OF COFFEE BEGINS WITH A GOAT

Africa has not only held the responsibility for the origination of humans but has also given us coffee. In the heart of Africa, a popular Ethiopian legend tells the story of an accidental discovery that would change the world. It was in the 9th century when a goat herder named Kaldi, while grazing his goats in the highlands of Ethiopia, found his goats jumping wildly and making loud noises. It did not take long for him to realise that the goats had eaten the red berries.

Kaldi soon took the berries to the local monastery to ask for advice. At that time, there were no research labs or separate police stations that could verify such findings, so monasteries and other religious institutions were used for this purpose.

The monks of the monastery did not bolster Kaldi's excitement; instead, they proclaimed the red berries to be the creation of the devil for living beings and burned them in the fire. If the cherries had not been thrown into the fire, we might not be celebrating International Coffee Day today.

However, the story did not end there but rather began at that moment. As the seeds roasted in the fire, the potent aroma soon grabbed the attention of the monks present. Quickly, they gathered the roasted beans from the ashes, ground them, and tossed them into hot water. They brewed the mixture, the rest is history.

While there might be legends gripping this story, it is said that Ethiopians discovered coffee by chewing the berries.

HOW COFFEE BECAME THE WINE OF ARABIA

Yemen is home to the ancient port city of Mocha, which became a significant hub for coffee export. Mocha played a crucial role in introducing coffee to the Islamic world. Initially, coffee was often consumed by spiritual practitioners to help them stay awake during their religious observances. Its popularity among Muslims grew partly because it was not mentioned in the Quran, whereas alcohol was expressly prohibited.

Additionally, coffee earned the nickname "the wine of Arabia." Yemen is considered the birthplace of coffee roasting and preparation as we know it today.

THE STORY OF FIRST COFFEE HOUSE OPENED IN 1555

The early 16th century witnessed the expansion of coffee across the Arabian Peninsula, which includes Northeast Africa, and Egypt. The conquest of Arabia by the Ottoman Empire facilitated the spread of coffee throughout the region, reaching every corner of the huge empire, including the capital, Istanbul. The year 1555 marked the opening of the first coffee house.

In this initial period, coffee houses served as gathering places where patrons could engage in conversation, listen to poetry, and play games like chess or backgammon. However, this development raised alarms among Muslim clerics, who feared that coffee houses would undermine mosques and eventually replace them as community gathering spots.

Sultan Murad 4 even imposed the death penalty for coffee drinking, but all efforts to suppress coffee culture ultimately failed, and these establishments became an integral part of Islamic culture within the empire.

THE GLOBAL HISTORY OF COFFEE

Coffee houses in Europe evolved into vibrant spaces with their libraries and music. They became venues where intellectuals gathered to spend time and engage in discussions. It is said that some of the greatest ideas emerged from debates accompanied by a cup of coffee. However, the growing coffee culture has faced criticism. In 1675, King Charles II of England decided to ban coffee houses, labelling them as places of sedition.

He believed that earlier revolutions had been discussed within their walls.

Despite the ban, people continued to gather, and even tea was later introduced to compete with coffee as the most loved drink in British territory. Coffee spread across Europe, challenging the Ottoman Empire's monopoly on the beverage. As a result, coffee was poised to take over the world. Colonial powers sought suitable locations for coffee cultivation, with the Dutch being the first to transport coffee to the other side of the globe.

Eventually, the Dutch East India Company established large coffee plantations in Indonesia, and by 1711, exports from Indonesia reached Europe for the first time.

HOW COFFEE TRAVELLED TO SPACE ON THE APOLLO 11 (1969)

Space could be the last place for coffee after its remarkable journey around the globe. While it is not a mandatory supplement for astronauts, it has become a cherished aromatic drink. In 1969, the crew of Apollo 11 enjoyed coffee before making their historic landing on the moon.

Today, astronauts orbiting Earth on the International Space Station (ISS) have access to state-of-the-art vacuum-sealed pouches and zero-gravity cups to enjoy their hot beverages. In 2015, it was announced that coffee in space would be brewed using a very innovative device, which is the ISSpresso coffee machine, located on the International Space Station.

International Coffee Day serves as a global celebration of the rich history, cultural significance, and enduring love for coffee, reminding us of the journeys each cup takes from bean to brew, and connecting people across the world.