The History of Coffee Is A Fascinating Story [PDF]

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The history of coffee is a fascinating story. The bean has traveled the globe for centuries, being smuggled out of strict countries, stolen from royalty and has changed entire nations and economies. It’s remarkable how one small bean taken from tiny trees in Ethiopia could become the 2nd largest commodity traded in the world today. Ever wondered where coffee came from, were this little bean got its start? Get ready to be taken on a journey through time and across continents. - Arabica - is a species of Coffea originally indigenous to the mountains of the southwestern highlands of Ethiopia. It is also known as “mountain coffee” or “arabica coffee”. Coffea Arabica is believed to be the first species of coffee to be cultivated, being grown in southwest Arabia for well over 1,000 years.It is said to produce better coffee than the other major commercially grown coffee species, Coffea canephora (robusta), but tastes vary. Coffea Arabica contains less caffeine than any other commercially cultivated species of coffee; - Robusta - Robusta is a sturdy species of coffee bean with low acidity and high bitterness; it is used primarily in instant coffee, espresso, and as a filler in ground coffee blends; - Liberica - is third in importance among commercially produced coffees behind Arabica and Robusta because of Liberica’s generally inferior flavor and aroma characteristics compared to those other coffee varieties. - Maragogype - Maragogype is a mutation of Typica coffee and was discovered in Brazil. The Maragogype is a large plant with big leaves, low production and very large fruits (and seeds/green beans). It has been called the "Elephant Bean Coffee."

Legend has it that coffee was discovered in 300 AD by an Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi. One morning at the rise of sun, Kaldi set out to tend his daily path when his herd began feverishly eating red and green berries from a low-lying bush. Full of energy and an uncharacteristic charisma, the goats began kicking up their heels in a seemingly joyful state. Kaldi tried the beans. After succumbing to immediate effects of alertness and unwavering energy, he shared the news of his new “wonder berry” with the people of his village, and word quickly spread.  This prompted Arab traders in the region to bring the beans home to their farms where cultivation of coffee plants began. At harvest, the farmers boiled the beans, creating a liquid elixir, which they named “Gahwa” (translating as “Preventer of Sleep.”) Today coffee is grown in a multitude of countries around the world. Whether it is Asia or Africa, Central or South America, the islands of the Caribbean or Pacific, all can trace their heritage to the trees in the ancient coffee forests on the Ethiopian plateau. The popularity of the coffee houses was unequaled and people frequented them for all kinds of social activity. Not only did they drink coffee and engage in conversation, but they also listened to music,

watched performers, played chess and kept current on the news of the day.  In fact, they quickly became such an important center for the exchange of information that the coffee houses were often referred to as 'Schools of the Wise.' With thousands of pilgrims visiting the holy city of Mecca each year from all over the world, word of the 'wine of Araby' as the drink was often called, was beginning to spread far beyond Arabia. In an effort to maintain its complete monopoly in the early coffee trade, the Arabians continued to closely guard their coffee production.

nteresting facts about coffee  

1. Second in the World It’s the world’s 2nd largest traded commodity.  Crude oil is first. Yes, it is not a typo. Coffee is consumed in great quantities, making it the most beloved beverage after water. It’s worth is over $100 billion worldwide.  

2. Hawaii is the only American state that grows coffee Good coffee growing conditions require high altitudes, tropical climates, and rich soil. There is only one state, Hawaii, which is able to grow coffee.  It has been producing coffee even before it was a state. (Only recently, though, farms in California started growing coffee bushes!)    

3. Coffee was discovered by a goat herder It was said that coffee was discovered by a goat herder in Ethiopia in the 1500s.  He saw his goats eating coffee cherries. Afterwards, he observed a change in their behavior. They gained a high amount of energy and they didn’t sleep at night.  The herder shared his findings with local monks and then after they made a drink with coffee beans, they realized they could stay up all night and pray. Then, they spread the word to other Ethiopian monks and it reached across the civilized world.      

6. Add cream, keep your coffee warm Coffee stays warm 20% longer when you add cream.    

7. Divorce because of terrible coffee In ancient Arab culture, a woman could only divorce her husband if he didn’t like her coffee.    

8. Italian “expresso” The word espresso comes from Italian and means “expressed” or “forced out”. Espresso is made by forcing very hot water under high pressure through finely ground, compacted coffee.