The History of Coffee
The Origin Story: From Ethiopia to the World
Have you ever wondered how coffee was discovered? According to legend, an Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi noticed that his goats became more energetic after eating red berries, which he discovered were from a coffee plant. Kaldi shared them with monks from a local monastery that used them to stay awake during long prayer sessions. From there, coffee spread to the Arabian peninsula where coffee was cultivated for its stimulating properties, and by the 15th century coffee drinking was a widespread practice in the area.
In the 16th century, Yemeni merchants introduced coffee to Europe. It is said that the first coffeehouse opened in Constantinople in 1550, followed by more cafes in other parts of Europe. Coffee quickly gained popularity as a “miracle drug” with healing properties, with cafes serving as social and intellectual hubs.
Riding the Waves of Coffee: The Evolution of Coffee Culture
This history of coffee is closely tied to the waves of coffee, as each wave represents a distinct shift in the culture and practices surrounding coffee.
First Wave
1800s to 1980s
- Coffee becomes a global commodity with the advent of mass production and marketing.
- Gains popularity in North American households with the invention of canned and instant coffee.
- Flavour was not a priority, coffee was viewed as a source of caffeine.
Second Wave
1980s to 2000s
- Emphasis on quality and the flavour of coffee.
- Specialty coffee shops begin to emerge as an alternative to mass-produced coffee.
- The popularity of espresso based drinks grows, and people start to appreciate coffee as craft.
Third Wave
2000s to Present
- Focus is on the origin and quality of the beans used, as well as the roasting process and brewing methods.
- Independent coffee shops offer artisanal coffee with innovating ways of brewing it.
- Customers become educated about various brewing methods like pour-over, French press, and Chemex.
Fourth Wave
Current Trends
- Sourcing of single-origin beans from small, independent farms around the world.
- Increased transparency in the coffee industry, informing customers about fair trade ethics and sustainability.
- Specialty coffee becomes more widely available online and offline.
Fifth Wave
Future Trends
- A continued focus on sustainability an transparency in coffee production.
- Experimentation with new brewing methods and types of beans.
- A shift towards experience-based coffee culture, with coffee shops becoming destinations for unique coffee experiences.
Brewing Up Perfection: What is Specialty Coffee?
- Specialty coffee is coffee that has a high level of quality, transparency and unique flavours.
- Specialty coffee includes single-origin beans, careful roasting and brewing processes that maximized a coffee’s potential.
- A cupping process is used to evaluate the coffee’s aroma, flavour notes, body and acidity.
- For coffee to be considered specialty, it must score over 80 points on a scale of 100 on a cupping evaluation.
- The specialty coffee industry emphasizes quality over quantity and focuses on sustainable and ethical practices in the coffee process.
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