What Is The History Of Coffee

what is the history of coffee

A Short History Of Coffee

Coffee boasts a history as rich as the beverage itself. The use of coffee originated in the Ethiopian Highlands and the Horn of Africa, where coffee beans were used as a food rather than a beverage.

Villagers would grind the beans to a medium consistency and roll them into little balls to which animal fat was added. These were eaten as a remedy to reduce sleepiness and increase mental alertness. Later, during the 15th century, coffee was used for the first time as a hot drink and is still served this way today.

Uncommon Grounds: The History Of Coffee And How It Transformed Our World
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Mark Pendergrast

Coffee: A Valuable Commodity

Some experts state that coffee is currently second only to oil as the most valuable commodity on earth. This is easy to believe when people consider the recent popularity of coffee houses throughout the world.

A Short History of Coffee

Captain John Smith, who helped to found the Virginia Colony in 1607, is the individual who is credited with introducing coffee to North America. Shortly thereafter, in the 1640s, the first coffee house opened in Italy. England's first coffee house opened in 1652, where it was a raging success. Coffee houses soon began popping up all over the area that is now the United Kingdom and made their debut in Paris in 1672.

The Devil's Cup: A History of the World According to Coffee
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Stewart Lee Allen

Coffee as a Breakfast Drink

Coffee first became a popular breakfast beverage in New York City, where it replaced tea as the breakfast drink of choice among wealthy families. In 1732, Johann Sebastian Bach composed his Coffee Cantata to pay homage to the beverage as his favorite drink.

During this time women shunned coffee as it was erroneously believed that the beverage caused infertility.

However, Bach's composition brought attention to the drink and this myth was dispelled by experts shortly thereafter.

Coffee Becomes a Household Beverage

In the early 1800s, the drip coffeemaker was invented in France. The machine was very similar to the drip models found on today's market. In 1865 James Mason patented the first percolator coffeepot in the United States. Thanks to mass production, they were soon found in households across America as well as in Europe and coffee became a household beverage.

The coffee business is still alive and well in the 21st century. As one of the most popular drinks on today's beverage market, billions of cups of the tasty brew are enjoyed on a daily basis.

Considering the coffee's extreme popularity, individuals throughout the world will likely continue to enjoy the beverage for many centuries to come.

Next article: Different Types of Coffee

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