From dancing goats to global sips: the enchanting journey of coffee

From the mystical mountains of Ethiopia, to the bustling coffeehouses of Europe, the story of coffee is as intriguing as that first sip of your morning brew. Ready to hear it? Let’s dive right in…

A legendary discovery

Our tale begins in the heart of Ethiopia, where legend has it that a goat herder named Kaldi made a very unexpected discovery. One day, Kaldi noticed his goats dancing with unusual energy after nibbling on bright red berries from a tree. Intrigued, he decided to sample these magical berries himself and, low and behold, he experienced a newfound vigour too.

Just like that, the first coffee drink was born

The rumour around these energising berries spread fast across the region and it wasn’t long before monks in Ethiopian monasteries began to brew them into a drink. This infusion helped them stay awake during long nights of prayers, and thus the earliest form of coffee was born.

Arabian delight

Coffee then reached the Arabian Peninsula where it became an integral part of the local culture. By the 15th century the Arabian city of Yemen had already become a bustling hub for coffee trade. Coffeehouses – known as “qahveh khaneh” – sprung up to offer more than just a caffeine kick: they became popular meet-up places for conversation, music, and intellectual exchange.

The coffee revolution

The allure of coffee soon reached the shores of Europe. Coffeehouses, like the famous Café Procope in Paris, became meeting places for artists, scholars, and philosophers.

Beans on the move

Then the Dutch came along! The Dutch were pioneers in moving coffee plants across various corners of the world, contributing to the expansion of coffee cultivation in the tropical regions of Central and South America.

Sip on

Today, coffee is more than just a beverage… it’s a global phenomenon. From artisanal roasters crafting the perfect pour-over, to your corner café’s velvety plant-based flat whites, coffee has evolved into a diverse and exquisite art form.