A few days ago I had a conversation with a customer. It started with an innocent question as to how I came up with the name 'Buna Koffie' for my coffee shop. We ultimately got tangled on the subject of the origin of coffee. Where it all began and how it scattered throughout Europe and eventually crossed the oceans.
Before we get on the subject of the origins of coffee, I would like to share how my customer and I got caught in this philosophical conversation. When I planned on opening a coffee shop of my own, I knew I needed a name that has ties with the roots of coffee. I came up with the name 'Buna' ቡና. Which is Amharic for 'coffee' a language spoken in Ethiopia. Which is in my opinion where coffee was first cultivated and harvested for consumption.
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Depending on whom you ask, who had the first idea that started the trend of drinking coffee? The answer may vary. Usually either Ethiopia or Yemen, since both neighboring nations have their own myths and legends. Which dates back to more or less the same period. It isn’t easy to pinpoint where coffee was initially discovered. Quite frankly, it wouldn’t be very nice to destroy either of their heritage and traditions. However, it can be said with ease that both countries played a major role in the distribution of coffee beans.
It is accepted that during the 15th and 16th century the trend of drinking coffee spread throughout Islamic tribes in the Middle East and parts of Northern Africa. It wasn’t until the 17th century, rumors started to spread across Europe from travelers who’ve visited the middle east. They would bring back beans and stories of an unusual dark beverage brewed from the beans that they’ve brought back with them. Along with the news of a mysterious bitter beverage circulating through Europe. People began speculating this unpleasant bitter beverage was brought by the Devil himself. They were frightened by the idea of the beverage being brought into Europe. It wasn’t until Pope Clement VIII tried the coffee for himself which he enjoyed. Giving it his blessing as it seems to have been better than alcohol which was the staple beverage of choice at the time.
Ironically after being rejected and feared by the Europeans, it was them who’ve developed the methods of brewing. Most commonly used to this day, from the Italian espresso-based beverages. They are brewed to produce several different types of coffee to filtered coffee. It usually served hot, which started in Germany. Unsurprisingly, coffee then began to spread like wildfire where it grew in popularity. Not only in Europe and the Middle East but also across the globe. As history takes place, the coffee is being brought across the ocean and being introduced to the Americas and to Asia. It made coffee arguably the staple beverage of choice around the world.