Coffee was first mentioned in writing in the 9th century in the Kaffa region of southwestern Ethiopia. From there, it was eventually brought to Arabia by slave traders in the 14th century, where it quickly gained importance.

Because Arabia held a monopoly on coffee cultivation, the port city of Mocha – also known as Mokka – which exists today as Al Mukha in Yemen, developed into a flourishing trading center. However, coffee wasn’t roasted until the mid-15th century, which significantly improved its aroma and flavor. The first coffee houses opened in Mecca around 1511 and quickly became popular meeting places. In the following years, the beverage spread further, eventually reaching Cairo, Syria, and numerous other Asian regions. Finally, coffee was first offered in Istanbul in 1554, further increasing its popularity.

Toward the end of the 16th century, Murad III, who reigned as Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1574 to 1595, banned coffee, fearing its social consequences.

Coffee, Religion, and Power

Theologians viewed the consumption of the hot beverage with great skepticism, as they believed the popular drink was incompatible with the precepts of the Quran, which ultimately prohibited the use of intoxicating substances. Furthermore, the authorities objected to the fact that coffeehouses were places where people met to exchange ideas and engage in discussions. These establishments were therefore soon considered “schools of knowledge,” a term the rulers disliked.

In 1633, Murad IV, who reigned as Sultan of the Ottoman Empire between 1623 and 1640, issued a renewed ban on coffee. He went even further than his predecessor: not only did he order the demolition of all coffeehouses, but he also rigorously persecuted coffee drinkers. This resulted in numerous deaths. Consequently, many shopkeepers attempted to circumvent the ban by disguising their coffeehouses as barbershops.

Coffee and Its Legendary Discovery

Several legends surround the first discovery of coffee. One tells of a goatherd in Yemen who was observing his flock and noticed that the animals were unusually lively after eating the red berries of a wild coffee plant. Intrigued by this change, he tried the beans himself. When he soon experienced an invigorating effect, he began to dance exuberantly with his goats.

After monks learned of this discovery, they immediately set out for the site to investigate further. There, they discovered some dark green plants bearing berry-like fruits. They then decided to make a beverage from these berries. This helped them stay awake during their long and strenuous nightly ceremonies and prayers.

Another legend recounts that a goatherd first tasted the berries but was so disgusted by the taste that he spat them into the fire. As the berries burned, the unmistakable aroma of roasted beans suddenly filled the air. The shepherd immediately told his villagers about this discovery. Intrigued, some villagers ventured to try the beans themselves and soon recognized their potential.

Coffee Conquers Europe and the World

As part of the Tanzimat reforms, coffee was officially recognized in 1839, further accelerating its spread.

Coffee was first mentioned in writing in Europe as early as 1582. A German physician, who first tasted coffee in Italy in 1573, wrote a detailed account of it. While merchant fleets on the so-called “spice route” transported not only tea, perfume, dyes, and fabrics, but also coffee, it reached Europe via Arabia. European traders subsequently brought back ever-increasing quantities of the coveted beverage from their voyages.

When it was finally realized that simply importing coffee could not even begin to meet the steadily growing demand, the Dutch began cultivating coffee in their Indonesian colonies. At the same time, the French cultivated the plant on the American continent. Thus, coffee cultivation spread increasingly worldwide.