Everyday there are approximately 2.25 billion cups of coffee consumed worldwide. There are 400 million cups consumed daily in the U.S. alone. But how did this worldwide economic commodity come to be?
A wide range of legends surround the discovery of coffee. From a group of caffeinated goats to a monastery, coffee’s origination remains somewhat a mystery.
However, the history of coffee itself dates back to the 15th century. Though, there is speculation that it might have been even sooner than that.
Coffee’s geographical origins are assumed to be rooted in Ethiopia, but it was not confined to this location for long. It quickly spread through the Middle East and the rest of the globe. Now, coffee is the second most traded good in the world, a common household item, and part of most people’s daily diet.
Coffeehouses continued to increase the popularity and consumption of coffee as they began to emerge in the late 15th century in the Middle East. It later spread to Europe in the 17th century. Eventually, the first U.S. coffeehouse was established in Boston in 1676.
In more ways than one, coffeehouses sparked a social revolution. They served as a hub for gossip, entertainment, and good cheer. This led to the belief that coffee led to radical thinking. So, some cities tried to ban coffee, leading to the coffee prohibition era.
Needless to say, coffee persisted and is still widely consumed today.
So, next time you drink your morning cup of coffee, think about the mystery and scandal that is embedded in the history of this addicting drink.