Coffee Facts – the Reasons Why Coffee is so Special
Coffee Facts
The coffee aroma is present in our everyday life, even though we consider it an insignificant aspect of it. Maybe in each street or building next to our home we can find a coffee machine, ready to offer us the magic and controversial liquid of our mornings.
Coffee is related to a wonderful, romantic story. It begins somewhere in Africa, more precisely in the province of Kaffa in Ethiopia, where it is thought that coffee trees have grown for the first time. Myths related to coffee discovery or to its effect upon human body are numerous.
The most popular myth is related to a goat owner in Africa, who noticed in time that his animals used to develop a strange behavior after eating the red berries of the coffee tree. Moreover, slaves coming from the territory called Sudan nowadays, used to eat the peel of these fruit in order to get more energy. It is known that the coffee tree has been grown since the 15th century in Yemen as well.
Mocha used to be then the most important harbor in the route to Mecca and it was also considered one of the most bustling cities. Nevertheless, Arabians used to have a very strict policy related to coffee berries. They could not be given to a second part and nobody could obtain the fruit in order to grow it. Coffee berries could be found, but deprived of the red peel covering them, therefore they were not fertile. The first people who were able to bring back with them a few berries, in order to grow them, were the Dutch, in 1616.
Initially, authorities in Yemen have encouraged coffee consumption, instead of chewing leaves that was a popular habit of that time. The first cafés were opened in “Mecca” and they were called ‘kaveh kanes’. After short time they spread to the whole Arabian world and they were very successful as there people could play chess, chat, sing or dance. Cafes were then luxurious and each owner used to decorate his / her café according to his / her personal style.
Later on, Arabian cafes became important political centers, therefore they were banned. Coffee and cafes were officially forbidden, but they used to emerge under other forms. In a few years time they were accepted again by authorities, but fees were required to their owners.
Coffee became popular in Europe as well in the 17th century. Then, two other delicious drinks coming from abroad started to become popular too in the old continent. They were hot chocolate and tea. Hot chocolate that originated in America was brought to Europe for the first time by the Spanish. Tea was sold for the first time in Europe in 1610.
Since that moment, everybody has become fascinated by the coffee aroma. The first reference concerning coffee consumption in North America is mentioned in 1668, then all the big cities and the important trade centers have become markets for this product that is sold in cafes. Since 1720 coffee trees were grown in America too.
Anand Upadhye -
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