The history of coffee: to whom do we owe the most beloved drink of our time?
Coffee is not loved except by someone who has never tasted a real high-quality drink. Good coffee should not be bitter, and has its own wonderful taste without the addition of sugar and syrups – this is the drink that true gourmets have preferred for more than a thousand years.
The history of coffee is multifaceted and mysterious: the first historical mentions of it date back to the XV century, but colorful legends testify to the appearance of the drink at least six centuries earlier. The most popular story tells about the Ethiopian shepherd Kaldim from Kaffa, who noticed an interesting fact: his goats, after chewing the oily leaves of a plant with red berries, become very frisky and excited. The shepherd decided to boil this plant and, after drinking the decoction, noticed a surge of strength and vigor in himself, which he hurried to share with relatives and neighbors. So, by word of mouth, this unusual way to cheer up reached the missionary monks, who began to use it before long night prayers.
Another legend tells about the outstanding physician of his time, Omar, who studied the beneficial properties of plants. In the course of his research, he revealed the unique effect of the fruits of the coffee tree – the plant cured headaches and promoted the work of the stomach. The drink that the doctor offered to the sick very quickly eliminated ailments and seemed to the people a real miracle.
A thousand years ago, coffee was used not only for medicinal purposes – its “discoverers” noticed the unique property of the coffee aroma to be absorbed into the skin, “penetrating the whole body.” Thanks to this quality of coffee fruits, people who did not have the opportunity to take a bath regularly used the plant as an effective deodorant.
Coffee distribution in the Arab world, Europe and America
The history of coffee as a delicious and aromatic drink, ideal for relaxation and sincere conversations, began in the Middle East. So, the coffee shops that are popular today are the invention of Yemeni and Turkish Arabs, who decided that you can make good money on brewing and selling a coffee drink. Initially, the shell of coffee beans was dried and brewed, then it was fried on coals. Today, Arabica – coffee, the birthplace of which is the Arabian region – remains the most popular variety.
The first Arab coffee shops are a unique historical phenomenon. Initially, these establishments were intended for highly spiritual reflections, but over time they turned into a place for leisure: citizens came here to relax and socialize, sitting on cozy sofas surrounded by luxurious interiors. Later, business meetings and political debates began to be held in coffee houses – everything that you can easily meet in any modern coffee shop.
The Arabs loved coffee so much that they did not allow the plant to be exported to other regions for a long time. Despite the fact that individual plantations appeared in Indonesia, Holland and Sri Lanka much earlier, the active spread of coffee in Europe and Asia began in the XVII century. The drink quickly won the hearts of Europeans and together with the colonizers went to the American continent.
The South American climate appealed to the coffee tree, and today this region is one of the leaders in world coffee production, offering coffee lovers a unique variety of Arabica coffee – maragodzhil. How and when coffee appeared in Africa is not known for certain, but this continent has been pleasing gourmets with an original coffee variety called robusta for quite a long time.
The history of coffee: ups and downs
Throughout its development, the coffee drink incredibly quickly won the hearts of ordinary citizens. It was loved for its rich tart taste, rich aroma, pleasant warmth and tonic effect. Over a “cup of coffee”, Muslims forgot about prayer, and Europeans made plans to develop a new profitable business.
Such a huge popularity of coffee did not like the then monarchs, brewers and winemakers, depriving them of the desired profit, so the church undertook to stop the rapid spread of the drink, recognizing coffee as “unchristian”. High taxes and severe punishments were provided for its distribution and sale, and only decades later coffee finally received well-deserved recognition – the people did not give up and continued to brew the drink underground, ignoring the prohibitions of the state, and as a result the latter had to give up, allowing the citizens to freely enjoy the exquisite aroma of an invigorating drink.
In Russia, coffee enjoyed the attention of only the ruling dynasty, while the peasants treated the drink with distrust. This is probably why coffee has not suffered a decline here, and the consumption of the fragrant drink has been increasing every year.
Today, coffee is one of the most beloved drinks of the whole world, which has occupied its niche in modern production and restaurant business. Interest in it not only does not fade, but also constantly develops, forming a completely new, unusual and interesting coffee culture.
True coffee connoisseurs are still working on growing new varieties, creating unique blends and reviving unusual ways of making a drink. The history of the development of numerous varieties of coffee is no less interesting and fascinating – you can learn about the secrets of Arabica, liberica, excelsa and robusta from our next publication.
source :
https://www.coffeedom.ru/post/history/istorija-kofe-komu-my-objazany-samym-ljubimym-napitkom-sovremennosti
