The origin of coffee
The story starts in Ethiopia around the 9th century. According to legend, the goatherd Kaldi discovered the coffee plant when his goats became remarkably lively after eating its red berries. He shared the discovery with a monk who used the berries to stay awake during night prayers - and thus began coffee's history as an energy source.

Journey to Arabia
In the 15th century, coffee spread from Ethiopia to Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula. Here it was cultivated and quickly became a favourite in cities like Mecca and Medina. The first coffee houses, qahveh khaneh, emerged as focal points for intellectual conversations about politics, religion and art.

Conquering Europe
Coffee reached Europe in the 17th century via the trade routes of Venice. At first, it was met with suspicion - some called it "the devil's drink" - but Pope Clement VIII blessed it after one taste and opened the doors for its spread. Soon coffee houses flourished in London, Paris and Vienna, nicknamed 'penny universities' for their cheap access to enlightening discussions.

Coffee in America
In the 18th century, coffee crossed the Atlantic to the American colonies. After the Revolutionary War, it became a symbol of freedom when patriots ditched British tea in favour of coffee, cementing its place in American culture.

The industrial era
In the 19th and 20th centuries, coffee became a global commodity. Technological advances revolutionised production and countries like Brazil and Colombia emerged as coffee giants. With the invention of instant coffee, the drink became even more accessible.

Modern coffee culture
Today, coffee culture balances between global dominance and local finesse. Chains like Starbucks have made speciality coffee a worldwide trend, while small coffee shops promote sustainability and quality through the "slow coffee" movement.