Where Did Coffee Originate?
The History of Coffee
Coffee is more than just a daily ritual—it’s a global passion with a rich, complex backstory. If you want to learn where coffee originated, who first discovered it, and how it journeyed from the hills of East Africa to cups around the world, keep reading. From ancient legends and religious rituals to international trade and American coffeehouses, we’ll trace the history of coffee through the centuries.
Who Discovered Coffee?
The most enduring origin tale is the legend of Kaldi, an Ethiopian goat herder said to have lived around the 9th century. According to folklore, Kaldi noticed his goats became unusually energetic after eating the red berries from a certain shrub. Curious, he tried the berries himself and felt a similar boost.
The story goes that Kaldi shared his discovery with a local monastery, and the monks used the berries to brew a drink that helped them stay awake during long hours of prayer. While there’s no historical record confirming Kaldi’s existence, his story captures the mystique and discovery spirit that still surrounds coffee today.
The Origins of Coffee – Ethiopia
The story of coffee often begins in Ethiopia, where wild coffee plants still grow in the highland forests of the Kaffa region. While the coffee plant likely thrived there for centuries, the earliest documented evidence of coffee being cultivated and consumed appears in the 15th century. (Some modern research indicates that it may have originated in South Sudan, but there seems to be a consensus that it was in East Africa.)
These highlands—rich in biodiversity and tradition—are considered the birthplace of coffee culture. Local communities are thought to have brewed coffee not only as a beverage but having used its beans, fruit, and leaves in various traditional practices, from medicinal concoctions to communal rituals. The early uses of coffee were deeply intertwined with spiritual life and storytelling—laying the foundation for the cultural significance the beverage would go on to hold worldwide. This deep-rooted connection to the land and people laid the foundation for coffee’s global journey.
The Arabian Peninsula and Coffee Cultivation
By the mid-15th century, coffee had made its way across the Red Sea to the Arabian Peninsula, where it found fertile ground—literally and culturally—in Yemen. There, it was cultivated for the first time, brewed widely, and integrated into religious and social life. It was here, in the Yemeni district of Arabia, that the world’s first known coffee cultivation and trade began. The port city of al-Mukhā, or Mocha (also spelled mokha and mokka), became a central hub for coffee exports—so influential, in fact, that the term "mocha" still evokes the beverage today.
Coffee’s stimulating effects made it popular among Sufi mystics, who used it to sustain alertness during overnight devotions. As coffee houses—known as qahveh khaneh—emerged in cities across the Middle East, they quickly became centers of conversation, music, intellectual debate, and community life. These “schools of the wise” helped solidify coffee’s reputation as more than a drink—it was a social and cultural force.
Rulers and religious leaders were initially wary of coffee’s popularity, concerned it might encourage dissent or unrest. But despite occasional bans, coffee’s appeal proved unstoppable. By the 16th century, it had become embedded in the daily lives of people throughout the region.
Coffee in Europe
Coffee reached Europe by way of Venetian traders in the late 16th century. At first, it was met with suspicion—some even called it the "bitter invention of Satan." But after Pope Clement VIII reportedly tasted it and gave it his blessing, coffee’s popularity surged.
Italy was the first European country to embrace the beverage, with coffeehouses springing up in Venice by the early 1600s. From there, the trend spread rapidly across the continent. England saw its first coffeehouse open in Oxford in 1650, followed by London shortly after. Paris and Vienna weren’t far behind.
These European coffeehouses mirrored their Middle Eastern counterparts, becoming hubs for conversation, political discussion, literary debate, and artistic expression. Known as “penny universities” in England—because for the price of a cup, one could engage in spirited intellectual exchange—they played a crucial role in the Enlightenment. Coffee was no longer just a beverage; it was a symbol of modern life and cultural progress.
The History of Coffee in the United States
Coffee arrived in the Americas in the 18th century, carried by European colonists and global trade. It began as a luxury item, consumed primarily by the wealthy, but its appeal soon grew. By the time of the American Revolution, coffee had become a symbol of political independence. In protest of British tea taxes, many colonists proudly switched to coffee.
In the 19th century, coffee consumption in the U.S. boomed thanks to innovations in roasting and packaging. Companies like Folgers and Maxwell House helped turn coffee into a household staple, while the rise of diners and soda fountains made a fresh cup more accessible than ever. Coffee was also a key ration for soldiers during the Civil War and both World Wars, solidifying its reputation as a necessary part of American life.
The Coffee Revolution
But it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that a new coffee movement began—one that prioritized flavor, origin, and craftsmanship. In 1966, a Dutch-American named Alfred Peet opened a small coffee shop in Berkeley, California, introducing dark, freshly roasted beans and European-style brewing to an American audience largely accustomed to instant coffee. His approach was bold, and it sparked a revolution.
Peet’s became the blueprint for the specialty coffee movement in the U.S. Alfred Peet’s commitment to sourcing the highest-quality beans and roasting them in small batches set a new standard. His methods and philosophy inspired a generation of roasters, baristas, and entrepreneurs—including the founders of major coffee brands who first trained under Peet himself.
What began as one store on Vine Street in Berkeley helped awaken American palates and redefined what coffee could be. From single origin offerings to the rise of third-wave cafes, Peet’s legacy continues to shape how people experience and appreciate coffee today.