A short history of coffee

Coffee's story begins in the highlands of Ethiopia, where legend says a goat herder named Kaldi noticed his animals became unusually energetic after eating red berries from a certain shrub.

By the 15th century, coffee was being cultivated in Yemen. Sufi monks drank it to stay awake during long night prayers, and the port of Mocha became synonymous with the trade.

Coffeehouses spread rapidly through Cairo, Istanbul, and Damascus. They were called "schools of the wise" because people gathered there to discuss politics, play chess, and listen to music.

When coffee reached Europe in the 17th century, some clergy condemned it as the "bitter invention of Satan." Pope Clement VIII reportedly tasted it and gave it his blessing, which helped it gain acceptance.

The Dutch smuggled seedlings out of Yemen and established plantations in Java and Ceylon. Later, a French naval officer carried a single plant to Martinique, which became the ancestor of most coffee in the Americas.

Brazil became the world's largest producer in the 19th century, a position it still holds. Plantation economies relied heavily on enslaved labour, a dark chapter in the drink's history.

Caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain. Adenosine normally builds up during the day and makes you feel drowsy, so blocking it keeps you alert.

Most health research suggests that moderate consumption, around three to four cups a day, is associated with lower risk of several diseases. Too much, however, can cause anxiety, insomnia, and a racing heart.

Today, specialty roasters focus on single-origin beans and lighter roasts that highlight fruity and floral flavours, while instant coffee remains the most consumed form worldwide.