The Fascinating History of Coffee: A Flavorful Journey that Spanning Centuries

Coffee, which gives us an energetic start to the day, brightens up friendly conversations and sometimes accompanies us with our creative inspirations, actually has a deep-rooted and fascinating history. Especially the unroasted or roasted coffee beans that we call coffee beans are the main heroes of this long history. Let's take a journey into the history of the coffee bean and examine together how this unique drink became the basis of today's global coffee culture.

1. The Journey That Started with Legends

The most well-known legend about the origin of coffee is based on the Ethiopian shepherd Kaldi. According to the story, Kaldi noticed that his goats were more energetic after eating a plant with red berries. He shared this with the monks in a monastery in the region, and the monks began to stay awake during long hours of prayer by making a drink from these berries. This is where the story of the coffee bean begins.

2. The First Culture to Sprout in Arabia

9. Coffee spread from Ethiopia to the Arabian Peninsula in the 15th century, and became a developed culture, especially in Yemen. Coffee beans began to be roasted and ground here. In the 15th century, the port city of Moka in Yemen became the gateway to the world for coffee. Even today, the name "Moka" is used as a synonym for quality in the coffee world.

3. The Rise of Coffee in Ottoman Lands

Coffee reached the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century and quickly took its place in the palace kitchen. Coffeehouses opened in Istanbul and quickly became an integral part of social life. Here, coffee beans were roasted, ground, and served in a cezve. Coffee was so valuable in the Ottoman Empire that sayings like “a house without coffee is an empty house” became commonplace.

4. Journey to Europe and the First Cafes

When the coffee bean reached Europe in the 17th century, it was initially met with skepticism, but soon gained great interest. Coffeehouses began to open in cities such as Italy, France, England and Vienna. These places were not only places to drink coffee, but also meeting points for artists, writers and thinkers. Some even called coffeehouses the “engines of the age of enlightenment.”

5. Establishment of Plantations and Globalization

When Europeans realized how profitable coffee was as a trade item, they brought coffee production to their colonies. Large coffee plantations were established in countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia and Vietnam. During this period, coffee beans became a global trade item. Today, Brazil is still the world's largest coffee producer.

6. Industrial Change and Modern Coffee Culture

20. By the 20th century, coffee beans were starting to enter homes. Grinding machines, espresso machines, filter coffee machines and more made coffee available not only in cafes but also at home. With the third wave of coffee from the 1970s onwards, bean selection, roasting profile and brewing methods became much more important.

7. The Role of Coffee Beans Today

Today, coffee beans are not just a drink; they have become a lifestyle, a culture, and even a passion. People no longer only care about the caffeine effect of coffee, but also the region where the beans come from, the degree of roasting, and the brewing method. The increase in micro roasters, the popularity of single-origin coffees, and the development of special brewing methods have given birth to a brand new understanding of coffee that keeps coffee beans at the center.

8. Towards the Future

Issues such as climate change, sustainability and fair trade directly affect the future of the coffee industry. Today, farmers who produce coffee beans are supported more consciously, and organic and sustainable methods are coming to the fore. For coffee lovers, this means not only flavor in every sip, but also respect for nature and labor.