The legendary journey of coffee beans

The legendary journey of coffee beans

Coffee beans are a plant fruit that originates from Africa. After being roasted and ground, they become the coffee we love. It has a rich variety of varieties and origins. Each coffee bean carries a story. Let us explore their legendary journey together.

Discovery and Origin

According to archaeologists, the earliest discovery of coffee trees can be traced back to around the 11th century BC. According to legend, a shepherd on the Ethiopian plateau noticed that his flock became abnormally excited after eating a certain red fruit. So he tried the fruit and felt the effect similar to that of a stimulant.

Over time, people began to call these mysterious fruits "qahwah", which means "the herb that can keep people awake". Gradually, "qahwah" evolved into what we call "coffee" today.

From Africa to the world

With the trade activities of Arab merchants, coffee beans began to spread to the Arabian Peninsula. There, people discovered that the drink made by roasting and grinding coffee beans tasted more delicious. As a result, coffee became an indispensable part of Arab social and cultural life.

In the 13th century, as Muslim merchants expanded their trade networks to East Africa, Turkey, and Egypt, coffee also began to spread to these places. Turkey became the first country to introduce coffee to Europe and established the first public coffee house.

European Age of Exploration and Plantations

During the European Age of Exploration, Dutch merchants brought coffee back to Europe and established large-scale plantations in the colonies of the time through a cruel and bloody slave system. These plantations are located in today's South American countries such as Brazil and Colombia, as well as in East Africa such as Kenya.

Thanks to favorable climate and soil conditions, coffee beans grown in these emerging regions have become one of the most popular coffee varieties in the world. At the same time, these plantations have also become a symbol of brutal exploitation and oppression.

Coffee Culture and Modern Industry

As time goes by, people's love for coffee drinks is getting deeper and deeper. Each country and region has formed its own unique coffee culture, such as Italian espresso, French latte, etc.

At the same time, a huge and complex supply chain system has been established around the world. From purchasing from farmers to processing, transportation and final sales to consumers, every link needs to be carefully managed and coordinated.

Today, more than 1 trillion cups of coffee are produced worldwide each year, generating tens of billions of dollars in revenue. Whether you’re drinking a latte at Starbucks or making a drip coffee with a hand-brewed pot at home, we can all feel the legendary journey of this little bean.

Conclusion

The legendary journey of coffee beans is a story about human discovery, creation and communication. It has not only changed our understanding of food and drink, but also promoted global trade and cultural exchanges. Let us cherish every coffee bean and feel the stories and emotions contained in it.