Coffee History: From Ethiopia to Global Trade Empire

Whether you savor its aroma on a slow morning or rely on it to fuel you on a busy day, coffee has become an integral part of daily life around the world. But few people realize the humble beginnings of this now-global obsession. The story of coffee history and its place in international trade begins in the highlands of Ethiopia.

This single plant has fueled empires, inspired uprisings, and brewed connections between strangers for centuries.

Every cup holds a legacy far bigger than it looks.

In this article, we’ll trace coffee’s path from ancient legends to modern capitalism. From its mystical roots to its role in colonialism, from Ottoman coffeehouses to hipster cafés, this is the story of how one bean shaped the world.

Let’s start at the very beginning, where dancing goats first hinted at the power of the brew.

The Origins Story: Coffee and Its Ethiopian Roots

The most popular origin story of coffee begins with a curious goat herder named Kaldi.

Living in the Ethiopian highlands centuries ago, Kaldi noticed his goats became unusually energetic after eating red berries from a certain tree. Intrigued, he tried the berries himself and brought the fruit to monks at a nearby monastery.

They then used the beans to stay awake during long prayers, and so the legend of coffee began.

But while the Kaldi tale is charming, the real roots are a bit more grounded.

The Oromo people of Ethiopia were likely the first to use coffee as early as the 10th century AD. They didn’t brew it like we do today, but instead mixed it with fat to create small balls that they could chew into to fend off tiredness.

Today, coffee remains a vital aspect of Ethiopians’ daily life.

Over 7 million smallholder farmers cultivate more than 90% of the country’s coffee, making it a major source of livelihood. Ethiopia exports about half of its coffee—accounting for 30% of the nation’s total exports—while the rest is consumed locally, reflecting its deep cultural significance.

Apart from its economic impact, it also plays a huge role in their culture and society. Ceremonies and rituals are built around coffee to get families and communities closer together.

Coffee didn’t stay put for long inside Ethiopia, though.

Through bustling trade routes across the Red Sea, the bean made its way to Yemen, setting the stage for its first true cultivation and religious use beyond Ethiopia’s borders.

Coffee History and Its Spread Across the Islamic World

Somali merchants from the ports of Berbera and Zeila were the first to export coffee from Ethiopia to Yemen, sourcing the beans from Harar and the Abyssinian interior.

By the 15th century, Sufi monks in Yemen’s port city of Mocha began brewing coffee to help them stay alert during overnight prayers and as some sort of spiritual intoxication for when they chanted the name of God.

Above is an illustration of the port city of Mocha, where the coffee trade from Ethiopia and Yemen happened.

Coffee quickly spread through the Islamic world, from Cairo to Istanbul. Coffeehouses, or qahveh khaneh, began appearing across cities.

Since most practicing Muslims avoided liquor and bars, people turned to coffeehouses as lively spaces to gather, socialize, and exchange ideas. The drink’s low cost and inclusive nature broke down long-standing social barriers.

In the image above is an example of a Muslim coffeehouse in Istanbul circa 18th century.

Of course, not everyone approved.

Some religious leaders feared coffee would disrupt moral order, likening it to intoxicants. In places like Mecca and Constantinople, authorities even banned it briefly. But the bans never stuck for long.

The demand was too high, and the culture around coffee too deeply embedded. By the 16th century, coffee had fully taken hold in the Muslim world. At one point, the Ottoman Empire even established a monopoly on the trade of coffee.

>>> Read the rest of my article here: https://weblogwevlog.com/coffee-history-and-trade/