Discovery and origin
Behind great discoveries, there are always legends.
 Nineteenth-century German engraving |
The most popular story regarding the first coffee consumers comes from Abisinia, in Ethiopia thanks to its medical and energizing properties.
One of the most-known stories is that of an Arab sheik in exile, who survived in the desert thanks to the soups he made out of the coffee beans.
Another legend fairly known is the story of Kaldi, who lived in Ethiopia more than 1000 years ago. This goatherd noticed one day that his goats had an estrange behaviour after eating some berries from a certain bush. After eating the berries, the goats became friskier and more excited. Kaldi made the connection between the berries and the extra energy his herd possessed. He gathered some of the berries and boiled them, producing a bitter concoction that had the benefit of warding off weariness.
Regardless of exactly where and when it was discovered, it appears certain that the coffee plant originated in Africa, probably in the area known as Ethiopia today. It spread rapidly to Yemen, Egypt, and Arabia, and quickly became a favourite part of daily life.
