Introduction
Coffee’s history is a fascinating one. For centuries, the bean has been smuggled out of strict countries, stolen from royalty, and has changed entire nations and economies.
It’s incredible how one small bean harvested from tiny trees in Ethiopia can become the world’s second-largest commodity traded today. Levista is one of the premium coffee grounds with a fantastic aroma. They have a wide range of options and varieties of products.
History & origin of coffee
According to a legend, Kaldi discovered coffee after noticing that after eating berries from a specific tree, his goats became so energised that they refused to sleep at night.
Kaldi reported his findings to the local monastery’s abbot, who made a drink from the berries and discovered that it kept him alert during the long hours of evening prayer. The abbot informed the other monks at the monastery about his discovery, and word of the energising berries spread.
As word spread east and coffee reached the Arabian peninsula, it began a journey that would take these beans worldwide. Soon after, the beans were ground and boiled to create the coffee we know today.
The Arabian Peninsula
Coffee was consumed not only in homes but also in the many public coffee houses, known as qahveh khaneh, that began to appear in cities throughout the Near East. People frequented coffee houses for various social activities, and their popularity was unparalleled.
Customers drank coffee and conversed and listened to music, watched performers, played chess, and read the news. Coffee houses quickly became such an important hub for information exchange that they were dubbed “Schools of the Wise.”
Coffee comes to Europe.
European visitors to the Near East returned with tales of an unusual dark black beverage. Coffee had made its way to Europe by the 17th century and became popular throughout the continent. Some viewed this new beverage with suspicion or fear, dubbing it the “bitter invention of Satan.
” Despite the controversy, coffee shops quickly became hubs of social activity and communication in major cities across the United Kingdom, Austria, France, Germany, and Holland. Coffee began supplanting the popular breakfast beverages of the time, beer and wine. Those who drank coffee instead of alcohol started the day alert and energised; unsurprisingly, their work quality improved significantly.
Yemen supplied nearly all of the world’s limited coffee until the end of the 17th century. However, as the beverage became more popular, the plant quickly spread to Java and other Indonesian islands in the 17th century.
The Arabian countries were the coffee’s gatekeepers. If a country wanted coffee beans, it had to go to Yemen. There was no other way out. The government preferred it this way and took every precaution to prevent anyone from stealing viable beans and planting trees on their own.
Journey to America
Coffee was on its way to conquer every country bordering the Atlantic Ocean after sweeping Europe, Africa, and other Asian nations off their feet with its aromatic and delicious taste. The Western Hemisphere, particularly Brazil, had the highest coffee production by the twentieth century.
Guadalupe, Martinique, and St. Dominique all had coffee plantations within three years. These plants quickly spread throughout the Caribbean and Central and South America. Finally, coffee had become a commodity shipped and consumed worldwide by the nineteenth century.
Types of Coffee
Have you ever considered the various types of coffee beans or where they come from? If you consider yourself a coffee connoisseur, we invite you to learn more about the coffee bean types currently available on the market. Arabica, Robusta, Excelsa, and Liberica are the four main coffee varieties, and each has a distinct flavour profile.
- Arabica: Arabica beans are the most commonly produced variety and are considered higher-quality beans. They are one of the most popular and well-known types of coffee beans. Arabica coffee beans account for more than 60% of all coffee beans produced worldwide.
These beans are grown at high altitudes and require consistent rainfall and shade. One of the reasons for this is a popular coffee bean variety worldwide that the trees are easy to care for, relatively small, and easy to prune.
- Robusta: The following coffee bean variety is Robusta, which is the world’s second most produced. The Robusta bean, as the name implies, is hardy and resistant to various diseases. This coffee bean grows best in a hot climate with irregular rainfall but can also develop at multiple altitudes. Compared to Arabica beans, those produced on the Robusta plant contain twice as much caffeine, making them an excellent choice for a real boost and a more harsh flavour.
- Liberica: The Liberica bean is one of the most difficult-to-find coffee beans. They are larger than other beans and are the only ones in the world with an irregular shape. Liberica beans have a distinct aroma, which some describe as fruity and floral in addition to smoky.
- Excelsa: Despite being classified as the same species, Excelsa coffee differs significantly from Liberica. Both grow on tall trees, but Excelsa beans are generally smaller and rounder. Occasionally, the beans will have the teardrop shape that Liberica beans have. The aroma can be robust and dissimilar to the pleasant fruity flavours.
Uses of Coffee
If you can’t imagine life without a morning cup of coffee, there’s some good news. It’s not only a delicious and energising way to wake up. It’s linked to a growing list of health benefits. Coffee’s health benefits range from lowering your risk of stroke and cognitive diseases to weight loss. Here are some of the health benefits listed:
- Enhanced energy levels: Caffeine, a stimulant, is abundant in coffee. When taken in moderation, caffeine may increase your energy levels because it increases your metabolic rate and the release of adrenaline, the hormone in the brain responsible for energy release, and boosts the immune system.
- Reduced body fat and enhanced overall well-being: By supporting gut health and altering fat storage, caffeine may also promote a healthy weight, lowering the risk of certain conditions associated with being obese, such as heart problems.
- Lowers the risk of Type 2 Diabetes: It is a chronic disease that affects how the body uses sugar. When blood sugar levels remain high, it can cause serious health problems. Coffee consumption may help reduce the risk of developing this condition.
- Enhances heart health: Coffee may help to protect against diseases and improve heart health. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the world. Coffee may lower the risk of death by protecting heart health. According to a 2018 study, people who drink three to five cups of coffee daily have a 15% lower risk of developing heart disease.
- Reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease: The findings of an extensive 2016 review of studies involving over 29,000 participants suggested that the more coffee people consume, the lower their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Let us unravel some exciting facts regarding coffee:
- Hawaii is the only American state that grows coffee: Despite the rich and diverse landscapes of the continental United States, Hawaii is the only state where coffee plants are grown. It was producing coffee long before it became a state.
- Coffee was prohibited in Mecca: Coffee was banned in Mecca in 1511, only a few years after it first appeared in Ethiopia. It was thought to promote radical thinking and idleness.
- Mokha or ‘Mocha’ is a port in Yemen where coffee first arrived: We now know where the term “mocha coffee” comes from! Coffee was discovered in Ethiopia and traded to Yemen, where it first arrived in a port city called Mocha. Mocha became associated with coffee and other coffee-related drinks today due to the rising popularity of coffee and the shipment of coffee from the port city.
- What did people drink before coffee every morning? : Prepare yourself for a big surprise! Before the popularity of coffee in the United States, all adults and children preferred cider or beer as their primary morning beverage. I drink beer instead of coffee every morning, even for small children. That is not going to happen again!
Wrapping Up
Coffee culture is evolving as coffee drinkers look for new ways to enjoy their favourite beverage. Production, trading, and distribution methods have evolved to meet these new demands, but much more progress remains. We hope this blog has taught you a lot about the history of coffee and some cool and exciting facts about the beverage. Finally, consider Levista’s extensive selection of premium instant and filter coffee for the perfect brew!