The history of coffee is filled with amazing factoids and lots of interesting stories. In this post about the history of coffee, we’ll talk about:
- How and where coffee was discovered
- How coffee was enjoyed all over the world
- The invention of coffee machines
- The first, second, and third waves of coffee
Interestingly, nobody can really pinpoint how coffee was discovered. This obviously leaves lots of questions where the history of coffee is concerned.
Of course, it does not mean that there aren’t any interesting claims and legends about the history of coffee. So, let’s take a look at some of the stories and legends that surround the current history of coffee.
Is Coffee Of Ethiopian Origin?
Ethiopia seems to have the longest track record where the history of coffee is concerned. The ancient coffee forests of Ethiopia can be traced back for many centuries. There is even a legend that describes the history of coffee in the utmost details.
According to local history, or should we say legend, coffee was discovered by a local goat herder called Kaldi. It is believed that Kaldi’s goats were eating certain berries from a tree. He noticed that the goats seemed to become so energetic from eating the berries, they wouldn’t even sleep at night.
As the legend goes, Kaldi told the abbot of the local monastery about the unusual berries he found. The abbot tried the berries out for himself and turned them into a drink.
As he found the berries-based drink would help him to stay alert during evening prayer, he told the other monks at the monastery about the berries. From there on, the story of the miracle berries that would provide amazing levels of energy began.
Coffee And The Arabian Peninsula
Genuine historical evidence surrounding these miracle berries can only be found in the 15th century. While it is believed that the berries were discovered in Ethiopia were the origin of coffee, it would be a long time until they became the roasted beans we know today.
It is known that coffee was cultivated in the Yemen district of the Arabian Peninsula in the 15th century. After it became popular in Yemen and Saudi Arabia as a whole, coffee started to make its way throughout the world. Coffee became a real hit in Persia, Turkey, Egypt and Syria. However, it would not be discovered in Europe until the 17th century.
Within the history of coffee, it is important to note that the beverage was not consumed in people’s houses. No, that would come centuries later. Instead, the beverage was served in public coffee houses (Turkey is still famous for these). Naturally, the beverage did not remain as a local tradition.
Pilgrims that would visit Mecca would take stories with them about the public houses that served a miracle beverage. Eventually, the news about the named beverage reached Europe and the rest is history.
Where Was Coffee First Discovered And Developed?
Since coffee origins are a little different to track, it is difficult to say who discovered and developed coffee. Ethiopians believe that the coffee origin story can be traced back to Ethiopia, and that the local goat herder was the one to discover the priced coffee berries. Of course, not everyone believes that coffee berries were first found in Ethiopia, since there is no historical record of it. That being said, the story of the coffee berries allegedly dates back to the 9th century.
The recorded history version states that coffee cultivation took place in the Arabian Peninsula. However, it doesn’t state that coffee was actually discovered there for the first time. While it does mention the coffee plantations, there is no particular evidence that coffee was discovered there.
What Was Coffee Originally Used For?
Whether you decide to believe the Ethiopian legends about the goat herder or the historical accounts of coffee cultivation in 15th century Saudi Arabia, it seems that the use of coffee was the same across the board.
When you look back at the goat herder story, coffee was used for energy. However, the first historical record of coffee cultivation and its use can be traced back to Saudi Arabia. Aside from being served in public houses, there are records that drinking coffee was common in Sufi circles. In fact, they would be drinking coffee to stay awake for various religious rituals. So, from the very beginning, coffee was used for its energy-related benefits.
How Was Coffee Introduced in America?
America had its first coffee taste in the middle of the 17th century. The beverage was brought over by the British, but it would take some time before the success story of coffee began.
Coffee started to become more popular starting at the Boston Party in 1773. At the time, there was a revolt against King George III. Part of the revolt involved people switching their beverage from tea to coffee. Since the beverage became extremely popular among the colonists, the Dutch tried to corner the market. They secured various coffee seedlings and started their own coffee plantations in the 17th century.
It did not take long for coffee to become extremely popular in the rest of the world. By the 18th century, coffee was one of the world’s hottest commodities. Several businessmen saw an opportunity and started selling coffee commercially, so people could start making coffee in their own houses.
In Pittsburgh, brothers John and Charles Arbuckle started their sale of pre-roasted coffee. In California, James Folger started selling coffee to miners. Then, there was the rise of the big named coffee brands such as Maxwell House and Hills Brothers. And, after the creation of instant coffee, Starbucks would be created in 1971.
What Are The Three Waves Of Coffee?
As with all things relating to coffee, this is about to get a little complicated! The three waves of coffee can have a different meaning for different people. To keep things as simple as we can, we will explain the three waves of coffee from a historical point of view.
The First Wave Of Coffee
The first wave of coffee took place in the 19th century. During this time, the world started to take notice of coffee and started to purchase it on a regular basis. So, coffee production increased exponentially and so did the number of companies that sold coffee.
During the first wave, coffee production was more focussed on the provision of caffeine and energy. So, the flavor of this beverage was not always on point at this time. Companies such as Nescafé, Folgers and Maxwell House manufactured coffee to distribute to households across the globe. The first wave of coffee was also accompanied by some new inventions; this includes the instant coffee and vacuum packaging.
The Second Wave Of Coffee
The second wave of coffee took place a lot later, more specifically in the 1970’s. Interestingly, this is the time where the Starbucks coffee shops became more prominent. Coffee shops like Starbucks became more popular for one specific reason, more specifically the provision of coffee that did not only provide energy, but a wonderful flavor to boot.
The popularity of a good tasting cup of coffee had influences on the world’s markets as well. It even affected beer and spirit manufacturers in the United States. As an increasingly large number of people chose coffee over alcoholic beverages, spirit and beer manufacturers saw their sales decrease dramatically.
With the increased popularity of coffee as a beverage, the culture of coffee changed as well. In fact, an entire culture started to create itself around coffee, even though the beverage has been around for many centuries. Still, since communication and travel only became a standard after the second World War, and since Starbucks did not arrive until the 1970’s, it is no surprise that the second wave of coffee did not occur until later.
The Third Wave Of Coffee
The term “third wave of coffee” was used for the first time by Trish Rothgeb in 2002. Trish also defined the waves in the Roasters Guild Publication, aimed at true coffee lovers.
So, what is different between the third and second wave of coffee. Well, the third wave focusses on coffee diversity. Instead of providing a single great coffee, the third wave looks at catering to everyone’s individual tastes. Coffee also started to have a culture that is comparable to that of wine.
Coffee connoisseurs are now a thing, leading to new inventions such as specialty coffee. True coffee lovers are also more aware of the brewing processes and the origin of beans. Even baristas have obtained a more celebrated status around the world.
Who Invented The Coffee Machine?
Unsurprisingly, the coffee machine has been around since coffee beans were discovered. In fact, the coffee machine is not a single invention.
What we mean by that is that the way to make a cup of coffee has evolved over the centuries. So, one could argue that humans in general invented it. But, to truly understand what we are talking about, let’s have a look at how the coffee machine came in existence.
Brewing coffee is not something that just happened. No, it took many years to develop brewing techniques as we know them today. In fact, we would not be surprised if the brewing methods for a coffee drink continue to evolve in the years to come.
The Oldest Brewing Methods
As far is known through historical documents, the oldest brewing technique for coffee can be found in Turkey. While the dates are not exactly precise, historians believe the Turkish boiler arrived in the 15th or 16th century.
The first brewing device for a cup of coffee was the Turkish Ibrik; this is still known today as the Turkish coffee pot. It is usually made from valuable materials such as copper and brass, and comes with a long handle on the side.
In the days of the Turkish Ibrik, coffee beans were crushed until coffee grounds were obtained. Then, these coffee grounds were mixed with other things such as sugar, spices, herbs and water. Once everything was mixed, then the Ibrik was heated up until near boiling point.
Then, the coffee was allowed to cool down and then the process would be repeated all over again. By doing so, the Turkish coffee would get some foam on top of it. When done, the drink was poured into a cup and drunk.
As coffee made its way into Europe in the 17th and 18th century, it is no surprise that the coffee machine began to evolve in Europe as well. In the beginning, consumers and small shops would grind down beans by using the old-fashioned mortar and pestle.
In fact, some people still use this method today, believing that the mortar and pestle method creates the finest powder and therefore the most superior coffee.
When coffee made its way to the United States, the parents of Peregrine White brought a mortar and pestle with them to make coffee powder from beans on the Mayflower.
Jean La Roque’s father brought coffee to Marseilles, France in 1644. He also took a roaster plate, cylinder grinder, and the long-handled broiler that would become a foundation for more intricate devices later on.
Of course, in between the electric coffee machines and percolators we know today, there were also traditional coffee pots. The very first, traditional, European coffee pot was a metal pot and appeared on the market in 1650.
About ten years later, the Elford machine appeared on the market. It was a white iron coffee machine that needed to be turned on a spit to roast coffee. While this required a lot more effort than the coffee machines we know today, they were remarkably popular at the time.
The Dutch also came up with an amazing machine to roast beans. Basically, they created a device with a long handle, which would allow consumers to turn and roast their beans over an open fireplace. This machine created by the Dutch would eventually catch on all across Europe and the United States.
As coffee became more popular over the years, France decided to start producing coffee pots with wonderful and intricate design. Some of their first projects were introduced during the St. Germaine Fair in Paris. Silversmiths would arrive with genuine silver coffee pots, which were promptly purchased by the aristocratic families of that time.
France did not stop with the invention of coffee pots for the aristocracy though, they also created the first portable coffee maker in 1691. The portable coffee maker was quite the invention, because it included a grinder, roaster, cups, oil, lamp, saucers, cups, sugar and coffee all in one handy device!
Once coffee started to become more popular in England too, the British started looking for their own coffee machine. One of the first created in England was Bull’s Roasting Machine, which was patented as early as 1704. Unfortunately, this device was only used by businesses, as coal was required to roast beans and the fact that the machine was rather large.
France would have a reply to the English invention of Bull’s Roasting Machine. In 1710, the country came up with a special linen bag, which was used to infuse ground coffee. This was also one of the earliest forms of coffee filtration.
After the invention of the linen bag in France, inventions started to follow one another even quicker. In fact, coffee grinders became so common in Europe in 1720, they were extremely affordable costing a mere $1.20. Of course, this would have been the equivalent of $63.09 for us today.
So, obtainable by some. To keep these grinders marketable and profitable, manufacturers started to include things such as storage drawers for coffee grounds and special embellishments. Now, these coffee grinders are vintage and extremely valuable.
England led the charge with some of the more artistic coffee pots, which ironically also made good tea pots later. Naturally, these antique coffee pots are worth a lot today and owning one could set you up for life.
Interestingly, the English coffee pot would actually turn back to the original form in the 1770’s, this after years of changes. English coffee pots would once again have the Turkish streamlined look. Nevertheless, ten years later, the traditional English teapot look would return.
Coffee businesses in the Industrial age
Businessmen did not start to make money from coffee until the late 18th century. One of the first patents for coffee devices in the 18th century came in 1779, where Richard Dearman obtained a patent to grind coffee at his mill. In 1798, America would follow suit and filed a patent for a wall-mounted coffee grinder. The late 18th century would also be characterised by the introduction of new filtration systems, which began the fuel the idea of different coffee varieties.
After all the patents and inventions, a commercial coffee pot for everyone did not come on the market until 1780. The Mr. Biggin coffee pot was the first commercial coffee maker. The device was quite impressive for the time, because it could make up to four cups of coffee at the time.
It also included a special filter right underneath the lid, which would filter the coffee with ease. However, the beans grind would still be important. If the beans were ground too fine or too coarse, the brew would be less than desirable.
Modern Brewing Methods
Modern brewing methods can be traced back to the early 19th and 20th century. It included the Du Belloy pot, which was released in France at the turn of the 17th to 18th century. Unfortunately, Du Belloy forgot to patent the device, so many businessmen would create their own coffee makers.
