The origin of coffee and its cultural heritage

The origin of coffee and its cultural heritage

Coffee is a widely consumed beverage worldwide. It originated from the Ethiopian Plateau in Africa. Since its discovery, coffee has become an indispensable part of people's daily lives. Over time, coffee culture has gradually formed and has been passed down to this day.

1. Coffee in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is one of the earliest places where coffee was discovered and cultivated. According to legend, in the 9th century AD, a shepherd noticed that his sheep became unusually excited after eating a certain plant. So he tried boiling the plants and drinking the juice. The shepherd soon felt the mental and physical effects of refreshing.

Since then, Ethiopians have used coffee beans to make drinks and consider them sacred. They call the boiling process "buna", which means "gaining wisdom". In Ethiopia, coffee remains an important social activity and is often shared at family and community gatherings.

2. The introduction of coffee to Arabia

With the development of trade, coffee was introduced from Ethiopia to the Arab region. It is said that in the 15th century AD, a merchant named Kadi Khalil brought coffee to Yemen. In Yemen, people began to prepare and drink this novel drink.

Soon, coffee became an integral part of Yemeni social culture, with people gathering in places called Qahwa (meaning "excitement"), where they could drink a cup of rich, aromatic coffee and socialize with friends and family.

3. Coffee enters Europe

In the 16th century, as European trade expanded and colonialism grew, coffee began to enter the European market. The first to introduce coffee to the European continent were Italian merchants, who opened the first coffee house in Venice.

Over time, coffee houses sprang up all over Europe. These coffee houses became gathering places for intellectuals, artists, and politicians to exchange ideas, engage in political debates, and enjoy strong coffee.

4. Inheritance of coffee culture

Over time, coffee culture has gradually spread to all parts of the world, forming unique styles and customs in different countries and regions.

For example, in Italy, people like to enjoy concentrated espresso as an integral part of their daily life, while in Turkey, people like to brew finely ground black coffee with sediment in boiling water.

In addition, in the United States, chain stores such as Starbucks and small boutique coffee shops have gradually become popular. These stores offer coffee with a variety of flavors and brewing methods, meeting the coffee needs of different groups of people.

in conclusion

Coffee is a beverage with a long history. It has a deep cultural heritage in Ethiopia, Arabia, Europe and other places. Whether in family gatherings or business places, people like to communicate and share around a cup of fragrant coffee. This unique and rich culture has made coffee one of the most popular and widely consumed beverages in the world.