The Little History of Coffee
It is on the border of the Orient that we find the first traces of coffee, in a region located below the Horn of Africa: Ethiopia. From East to West, coffee experienced a tremendous rise.
In the 16th century, Europeans discovered the beverage through the Ottomans. They turned it into a delicate treat appreciated in the empire's capital, Istanbul, the sublime gateway to the East.
From 1615 onwards, coffee spread throughout the European continent. Its consumption would be most widespread in the city of Venice.
Its success was such that some Italian clerics called for its excommunication, believing it could only be the fruit of the Devil. Pope Clement VIII even proposed having it baptized to make it a true Christian beverage!
At that time, it was even forbidden to women, being considered "too stimulating."
Today, coffee is ranked as the second most traded commodity in the world, after oil, and the third most consumed drink across the planet, after water and tea.
Just like wine lovers who discuss the robe or color of their favorite products, the new generation of coffee consumers daily discuss the different aspects of this fascinating product that is coffee.
Did you know that…
There is a legend about the origin of coffee, that of the shepherd Kaldi, recounted in one of the tales of One Thousand and One Nights: While the shepherd was grazing his goats in the mountains of Arabia, he discovered bushes laden with small red fruits. Having noticed the excitement that seized his animals after they had grazed on the hills, the shepherd chose to tell the local monks about it. They decided to go gather these fruits, dry them, and prepare an infusion which they drank with delight. A feverish agitation ensued, which they associated with a divine revelation.
Enjoy your coffee! ☕️
-Annie
