The Hometown of Coffee: Exploring the Origin and Heritage

The Hometown of Coffee: Exploring the Origin and Heritage

Coffee, as one of the most popular drinks in the world, has a long history and rich cultural connotations. It originated in the Ethiopian Plateau in Africa. After hundreds of years of spread and evolution, it has now become an indispensable part of people's daily lives around the world. This article will take you to explore the origin of coffee and understand its inheritance and development in different regions.

1. Coffee Origin: Ethiopian Plateau, Africa

According to archaeological research, the earliest records of coffee plantation and usage date back to about 1,200 to 1,500 years ago on the Ethiopian Plateau in Africa. At that time, people ground coffee berries and mixed them with animal fat to make small balls for consumption.

As time went by, people began to try to boil coffee berries with water and gradually discovered its effect of refreshing the mind and enhancing physical strength. This boiled coffee is called "Kawah" and has become an indispensable part of Ethiopian people's life.

2. The spread of coffee: Arabs and maritime trade

In the 7th century AD, coffee gradually spread to the Arabian Peninsula as Arabs began to travel between Africa and Asia through maritime trade. It is said that a merchant named Khalid ibn Sa'ID brought coffee seeds back to Yemen.

In Yemen, coffee has been more widely promoted and developed. Due to its strong aroma and unique taste, it has been widely used in religious ceremonies, social occasions and daily life. Moreover, Yemen has become the first country to grow and export coffee beans on a large scale.

3. Coffee is popular in Europe: a place for cultural exchange and social interaction

From the late 16th century to the early 17th century, with the expansion of European colonies and the increase of trade activities, coffee began to be introduced to Europe. The first people to come into contact with coffee were the Italians, who regarded it as a strange drink and opened the first coffee house in Venice.

Subsequently, coffee quickly became popular throughout the European continent. Many exquisite and elegant coffee houses appeared in cities such as Paris, London, and Vienna. These places became centers of cultural exchange and social activities, where people from all walks of life would gather to discuss and exchange ideas.

4. Coffee culture: inheritance and development among different regions

Over time and with regional differences, different regions have developed unique and rich understandings of coffee. Here are a few typical examples:

a. Espresso: Italy

Italy is world-famous for its unique and strong espresso. It is brewed under high pressure to extract a strong and intense coffee in a very short time. This concentrated coffee is commonly used to make Italian coffee drinks such as espresso, cappuccino and latte.

b. Turkish clay pot: Türkiye

The Turks add finely ground coffee powder and water to a special copper clay pot and slowly heat it to boiling. This traditional Turkish clay pot brewing method retains the most original flavor and aroma of coffee and is regarded as an indispensable part of Turkish culture.

c. Arabic blend: Arab countries

Arab countries are famous for their unique blending methods. They like to brew freshly roasted coffee and carefully select filter materials to ensure that every cup can reflect the best taste and flavor.

Conclusion

From the Ethiopian Plateau in Africa to all parts of the world, from ancient times to the present, between the source and the heritage, we have witnessed the history and culture of coffee. Coffee is not only a drink, but also a part of people's lives. By exploring the source and heritage of coffee, we can better understand and appreciate this delicious and magical drink.