Trace the origins and history of coffee: how did “coffee” get its name?
The Origins of Coffee:
The cultural significance of coffee can be traced back to its early origins in Ethiopia. According to legend, a goat herder named Kaldi noticed that his goats became particularly energetic after eating berries from a certain plant. He shared this discovery with monks, who began brewing the berries to help them stay awake during long prayers. The stimulating effects of coffee quickly made it valuable where it was used to enhance focus and endurance.
By the time coffee reached Yemen in the 15th century, it became a central part of Sufi’s religious practices. Its ability to keep Sufis awake through the night quickly gave it a spiritual and ceremonial status. This connection between coffee and religious practice suggests its early significance as more than just a beverage; it was seen as a tool for connecting with the divine.
The Ottoman Empire and the Rise of Coffeehouses:
In the 16th century, coffee had spread through the Arab world and into the Ottoman Empire, where it became a fundamental addition to social and intellectual life. The coffeehouse—or “qahveh khaneh”—first appeared in cities like Mecca and Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul). These establishments weren’t just places to enjoy coffee; they were places where scholars, artists, and philosophers exchanged ideas.
At this point coffee gained its name “qahwa,” meaning “wine” in Arabic.
Coffee’s Introduction to Europe: The Coffeehouse as a Hub of Enlightenment
By the 17th century, coffee had made its way to Europe, first through Venice, and then to England, France, and beyond. As in the Ottoman Empire, European coffee houses quickly became centres of cultural exchange. Earning them the nickname “penny universities” in England. For the price of a penny (the cost of a cup of coffee), one could engage in discussions that shaped the intellectual climate of the time.
Then, in 18th-century France, notable figures such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Diderot were known to frequent Parisian coffeehouses, where they exchanged radical ideas that would later contribute to the French Revolution.
At this point, coffee spread across the Ottoman Empire and into Europe, the word evolved. In Turkey, it became “kahve,” and in Italy, “caffè,” before finally becoming “coffee” in English.
Specialty Coffee and the Third Wave Movement
As coffee grew in popularity, the specialty coffee movement emerged in the 1980s and 1990s, emphasising the artisanal aspect of coffee—focusing on single-origin beans, ethical sourcing, and meticulous brewing methods. Specialty coffee houses offered transparency in the coffee supply chain, the uniqueness of each coffee-growing region, and the craftsmanship involved in roasting and brewing.
The third wave coffee movement reframed coffee once again, this time as a high-quality, artisanal product. This shift helped return the focus to the origins of coffee and the cultures that originally cultivated it. Specialty coffee has also reignited the global coffeehouse culture, turning cafés into spaces of community, creativity, and, once again, intellectual engagement.