A Brief History Of Coffee Beverages

The history of the exotic beverage, which is widely considered to be the supreme beverage, above all other beverages, has travelled a long and fascinating journey to this present day. Official records state that coffee was discovered during the 15th century and originated from the land of Ethiopia, then coffee became popular in Yemen, and eventually it became well-known right across the Middle East, and finally the entire world. Legendary tales about the origins of coffee have been circulating down the centuries, some of which date far back in time, to the 9th century. One such legendary tale is about a humble Ethiopian herds-man, who lived during the 9th century by the name of Kaldi. One fine day, Kaldi, witnessed his goats becoming exceptionally restless and lively, after they had feasted on some strange berries from a nearby shrub, which prompted Kaldi’s investigation, after which, he dared to sample some of the mysterious berries. Kaldi was so impressed by his experiment, he decided to inform the local abbot about his surprising discovery. However, the abbot reacted impatiently and irascibly, to what he had considered to be, an audacious disturbance, with such an unimportant and trivial request, whereupon, in a fit of fury, the abbot grasped the berries and then hurled them disrespectfully, into a raging fireplace below a mantelpiece. And as the beans burned they began to emit a most enchanting aroma that filled the rooms. This unexpected phenomenon captured the abbot’s attention, as well as the other monks within the monastery. The abbot suddenly decided to obtain the metamorphosed beans from the fireplace, then washed and prepared them in boiling water. This most unexpected eureka moment, was probably the world’s first, most invigorating cup of coffee beverage. It soon dawned upon the abbot and his brotherhood, that this new drink was a remedy for fatigue, as well as a useful aid for maintaining their concentration levels during prayers. Over time the exciting discovery, infectiously travelled beyond the walls of the monastery and into the wider community. It is uncertain whether such popular ancient legendary tales, regarding the discovery of coffee are facts. Because such stories are unsubstantiated accounts, many people consider them to be mere myths or legends.

Coffee In The Middle East

The Yemenis were the first to acquisition coffee beans from the Ethiopian Highlands, in order to cultivate coffee plants on the Arabian Peninsula. As a result of the Yemenis successful coffee cultivation and trading missions; by the 15th century, the port city Mocha, in Yemen, became the hub for coffee distribution across the Middle East, as well as having developed a reputation for jealously guarding, and not willing to share, their precious coffee plants with outsiders. As the irrepressible indulgence of coffee consumption became increasingly popular, from within the Arabian monasteries, then out into the wider public, and eventually across the Middle East, the first coffee houses began to emerge. This new phenomenon caused consternation to religious Islamic leaders and imams, as they wrestled with finding solutions. The religious leaders became greatly concerned about the increasing congregations within coffee houses, and the possible detrimental effects of coffee consumption, upon the citizens within their society.

In 1511, Mecca Governor Kha’ir Beg, after great deliberations with orthodox imams within a theologian court in Mecca, ordered a ban on coffee drinking in coffee houses, partly through fear of conspirators which may lead to an uprising against his rule, but also because of the perceived harm, inflicted upon their society, because of coffee consumption. However, this ban did not stem the advancing tidal wave of coffee consumers, within the Islamic community, and the potential for lucrative coffee trades, proved too costly to be ignored. Therefore, after the demise of Kha’ir Beg in 1522, the Turkish Ottoman Sultan, Suleiman I, and grand Mufti Mehmet Ebussuud el-Imadi, declared a fatwa which allowed coffee consumption to be resumed across Arabia.

Years later, the same heated controversy reigned in Cairo, Egypt. Coffee drinking, and coffee houses, increased exponentially in Egypt, and so too the great concern, by the Egyptian religious leaders, which eventually culminated in a ban on coffee consumption within Egypt, in 1532. Yet, this ban proved powerless, to rein in the multitude of coffee addicts, who existed across the land of Egypt, and as no apparent harm could be ascertained from coffee drinking, eventually this ban would also be lifted. By the 16th century coffee was popularized in Turkey, Syria, Egypt and Persia. In the Middle East, coffee houses were originally termed, qahveh khaneh. Coffee houses became known as a reliable and important news hub for many individuals, as well as a popular social venue. Some official records state that the first European knowledge of the coffee beverage occurred during the early seventieth century, from European contacts with Turkey via the Ottoman Empire trade relations. Other records state that coffee was introduced to Europe via the island of Malta, during the 16th century.

Coffee Houses Across Europe

The first coffee houses in Europe are officially recorded to have been established in Venice, Italy, official dates are conflicting and uncertain, some records state between 1629 and 1645, approximately. The successful establishments of coffee houses, in Italy, became infectious, as coffee houses quickly blossomed across Europe. Coffee was condemned by the local clergies when it first arrived in Venice, Italy, in 1615. The controversy became so inflamed that the Pope Clement VIII was urgently requested to adjudicate the situation. When the Pope arrived, the congregation waited with bated breath, as he braved the controversial beverage, and then finally smacked his lips gratefully. The exotic cuppa, had become exalted, as it had proved to be a beverage too delectable to be denied or denounced, His Holiness heralded his approval, and thereafter, the furore fizzled out, and normality within the city of Venice eventually resumed, as the coffee was no longer considered to be, a menace in Venice!

The first coffee house to be established in Oxford, England, occurred in 1651, by Harutiun Vartian, also known as Pasqua Rosee (Armenian heritage). He was reported to have also established the first coffee house at St Michael’s Alley, Cornhill, London, in 1652. Subsequently, coffee houses quickly flourished across England, especially London, and became known as scholarly venues for various important debates. Some early establishments in England, excluded women, and charged an entrance fee of one penny, which gave rise to the famous name ‘Penny Universities’. By 1675 there were more than, 3,000 coffee houses established in England. Many business ideas were originated in coffee houses, 'Lloyd’s of London' was envisioned and founded, by Edward Lloyd in his coffee house, which was based in Tower Street, London, in 1668. Business men, merchants, politicians, artists, writers and painters, frequently attended coffee houses. These social establishments were credited with assisting the boundless journey, of the beloved coffee beverage, which currently dominates the market, as the most consumed hot beverage in the world.

Coffee Cultivation Evolution

As the demand for coffee greatly increased in the early 17th century, there was much competition in Europe to acquire by any means, coffee plants, with the view to grow coffee outside of Arabia, in order to establish profitable trading relations across the world. The Dutch merchant, Pieter Van Den Broecke, helped his nation to win the all-important race, when he managed to obtain coffee seeds from Mocha, in Yemen, in 1616. Pieter Van Den Broecke triumphantly brought the seeds back to the Netherlands, where they were planted successfully in the Amsterdam Royal botanic gardens. However, Holland's greater ambition was to grow coffee in parts of Asia, where the climate was considered to be greatly amenable for that purpose. In around 1658, the Dutch began plantation in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), then Batavia, on the island of Java, now known as Indonesia, and quickly followed with great success on the Islands of Sumatra and Celebes. As a result, Holland was established as the leading and most successful supplier of coffee across Europe during the 17th century.

The legendary Indian Sufi monk, Baba Budan, was officially credited as the first person to start coffee cultivation in India, after he had undertaken a pilgrimage to Mecca. On arrival, he proceeded to acquire by way of deception, coffee seeds from the port city of Mocha, Yemen. Baba Budan, then escaped to India with the seeds, in order to cultivate and harvest coffee plants, in the hills of Chikmagalur, Karnataka, in 1670. Ironically, a Sufi monk, renowned for his abstinence and selfless acts, was unable to resist the charms of the humble coffee bean.

In the year 1714, the mayor of Amsterdam arrived in France to present a gift of coffee seedlings to King Louis the XIV. The seeds were ordered by the King, to be planted in the Royal Botanic gardens, in Paris. Years later, in 1723, a certain captain, Gabriel De Clieu, obtained a coffee plant from the Royal Botanic gardens, and then undertook an arduous voyage in order to reach the shores of the French colony, Martinique. During the voyage, De Clieu had sustained the life of his precious coffee plant, by sacrificing some of his water rations. De Clieu was relieved to finally reach his destination, whereupon, from a single plantation on the Island of Martinique, he was eventually rewarded with a burgeoning cultivation, from which, over many years millions of coffee trees were grown. And the remarkable success continued throughout the Caribbean, all the way to South and Central America. Importantly, the slave trade immensely increased the production and supply of coffee across the world, by way of coffee plantations across the Americas and other parts of the world.

Coffee In America

In 1727, a Brazilian colonel by the name of Francisco De Melo Palheta, travelled to Guyana, on a mission to bring back coffee plants to his country. The French governor, at that time, refused the colonel's earnest request. Undeterred, the suave colonel, decided to ply his powers of persuasion on the French governor’s wife. And eventually, she succumbed to his charms, by secretly providing him with some carefully concealed coffee seeds. After much toil and endeavour, in 1822, the coffee industry in Brazil began to accelerate exponentially, until in 1852, when Brazil was officially crowned, as the world’s biggest producer of coffee, and has held that prestigious title to this day.

During the mid-sixteenth century coffee reached America, and gradually developed popularity. In 1773, the English King George III, levied a tax on tea in America, this decision proved to be so controversial, that many citizens of America, decided to express their disdain by refusing to drink tea, and obstinately decided to drink coffee, thereafter. This citizen’s revolt became known as 'The Boston Tea Party' and thenceforth, coffee became America’s favourite beverage drink. And eventually, America became the biggest importer of coffee in the world.

The evolution of coffee styles and flavours, increased swiftly from the 19th century. Joseph-Henry-Mary Laurens is recorded to have invented the percolator, in 1819. The US patent for the coffee percolator was claimed by James Nason, in 1865. However, the patent for the modern US stove-top percolator was granted to Hanson Goodrich, in 1889. Then Luigi Bezzera, devised and patented the expresso machine in 1901, the contribution of the above mentioned, instigated the evolution of coffee preparation, as an art form. A myriad of coffee flavours and successful coffee organisations, currently exist around the world, Starbucks is said to be the largest. Coffee is cultivated in over 70 countries, and is the second largest traded commodity in the world, behind crude oil. It has been reported that more than 400 billion cups of coffee are consumed each year.

The eventful and troublesome journey of the coffee beverage has left a trail of burning controversy in its wake, it has been greatly desired, yet passionately opposed by many, including the Privileged, religious leaders, and some politicians. Whether, it is the seductive aromatic beans that linger upon the senses, or the desire to be perpetually perked up, or simply the distinctive flavour upon the palate, loved by so many to savour. This most versatile of beverages, has prevailed against all the odds, to eventually arrive at the height of fame across the world.

Written by Star_gazer

Published 27 September 2020