Coffee is one of the most beloved beverages in modern society. The sight of office workers enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning and another at lunch has become commonplace in everyday life. While debates over its impact on health continue, the demand for coffee remains unwavering. So, when did our love affair with coffee begin? Let’s unravel everything about this modern-day staple.
What is coffee?
Coffee is a beverage extracted from the dried seeds of the coffee tree fruit, also known as green beans. The seeds undergo roasting to become what we know as coffee beans and are then ground to make coffee. Interestingly, caffeine, a vital component of coffee, means ‘ingredient in coffee.’ Caffeine is excellent for its stimulating effects and is particularly effective in combatting fatigue.
What is the etymology of the word ‘coffee’?
The most widely accepted hypothesis regarding the origins of coffee traces back to the Arabic word ‘qahwah,’ which was used to describe a type of wine used as an appetite suppressant. As coffee began substituting wine, the term qahwah was applied to coffee. Qahwah became kahve as it moved to the Ottoman Turk Empire and then became koffie as it moved to the Netherlands. It finally evolved into the English word coffee, a prevailing theory regarding its etymology.
The origin of coffee
The origin of coffee is widely associated with the legend of Kaldi in Ethiopia. The story starts with Kaldi, an Ethiopian shepherd, noticing his goats becoming excited and jumping around after eating some red fruit. Curious, Kaldi decided to taste the fruit himself and discovered its efficacy to clear the mind and ward off sleepiness. He then spread this knowledge to a nearby Islamic temple, where the coffee fruit began to be revered as a ‘mysterious fruit’ that clears the mind and relieves fatigue.
The emergence of coffee-drinking culture
Around the 9th century, the coffee fruit was spread by Africans across the Red Sea to the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula in Yemen. The Islamic world at the time believed that coffee contained astonishing divine power and strictly regulated the export of its seeds to the West. However, during the Crusaders, merchants from the Ottoman Empire smuggled coffee, which had been long confined to Arabia, into Europe, particularly Italy. This led to a culture of brewing and drinking coffee, unlike the previous practice of chewing the coffee fruit whole.
Coffee, the devil’s beverage
Why did coffee become known as the devil’s beverage? During Pope Clement VIII’s reign, Catholic priests in Italy petitioned to ban its consumption, calling it the devil’s beverage. However, after tasting coffee himself, the Pope was captivated by its rich aroma. With his endorsement, coffee began to spread like wildfire among the nobility and merchants. The world’s oldest café, Florian, opened in Venice, Italy, in 1720 and is still thriving today.
When did coffee come to Korea?
Coffee, now a staple for modern people, entered Korea around the 1890s during an increased exposure to many foreign cultures. Emperor Gojong began to enjoy coffee after drinking it while taking refuge in the Russian embassy. Initially, coffee was called “gabi” or “gabae,” using the Chinese characters for tea. After liberation, instant coffee was introduced, leading to the development of coffee mixes and the popularization of coffee.
What is a coffee cherry?
Coffee berries, commonly known as coffee cherries, undergo several processes before they reach consumers as a cup of coffee. Each coffee cherry typically contains two seeds, which become coffee beans after roasting. The degree of roasting varies depending on the preferred taste of different coffee varieties and regions. In Europe, a bitter taste from intense roasting is favored, while in Korea, a sour taste from light roasting is preferred.
What’s the world’s most expensive coffee?
The world’s most expensive coffee, Kopi Luwak, is made from beans obtained from the excrement of a civet, a long-tailed creature native to Indonesia. Civets are omnivorous and have a particular fondness for coffee cherries. The flesh and skin of coffee berries are digested through the civet’s stomach and intestines, leaving only the seeds to be excreted. During this process, the green beans mix with the civet’s saliva and stomach fluids and mature appropriately due to the moisture and temperature within the animal’s organs, resulting in a unique flavor and aroma.
Ethiopia, the birthplace of life
Ethiopia, known as the birthplace of coffee, is hailed as the native land of Arabica coffee (Arabica Coffee) and Africa’s largest coffee producer. However, as coffee was discovered in Ethiopia and spread globally, increasing productivity has led to declining coffee variety diversity. The homogenization of varieties is extremely dangerous in terms of species conservation, necessitating efforts to discover wild varieties.
How do you utilize coffee grounds?
Coffee grounds are famously effective at eliminating odors. This has led to an increasing number of places utilizing coffee grounds as compost. Additionally, coffee beans are excellent at absorbing moisture and odors. They can be used not only as air fresheners but also as dehumidifiers. Wrapping them in tea bags or cloth and placing them in closets or bathrooms can absorb moisture and odors while emitting a subtle coffee aroma, ensuring a fragrant day.
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