The Origins of the Coffeehouse and Degas’s Iconic Painting

You walk into a modern coffee shop—bright lights, laptop hum, baristas calling out orders—and wonder: how did we get here? The coffeehouse as we know it didn’t start with pour-over stations or cold brew taps. Its roots stretch back centuries, to a time when coffee wasn’t just a drink but a social revolution.

The very first coffeehouses, called Kaveh Kanes, appeared in Mecca in the 15th century. Though initially tied to religious gatherings, they quickly became hubs for chess, music, and conversation. From Mecca, the idea spread to Aden, Medina, and Cairo, laying the groundwork for today’s global coffeehouse culture.

The Birth of the Coffeehouse: From Mecca to the World

The earliest known coffeehouses, known as "Kaveh Kanes," were established in Mecca. Though their original purpose was religious, these spaces rapidly transformed into lively centers for social activity. People gathered there to play chess, chat, sing, dance, and enjoy music. This model quickly expanded to other cities: Aden, Medina, and Cairo all hosted early coffeehouses, turning the coffeehouse into a cultural institution.

The Legend of Coffee’s Discovery in Ethiopia

While Africa is recognized as the birthplace of coffee, the story of its discovery is famously tied to Ethiopia. According to the account in "The Unsleeping Monastery" by the Asian monk Faustus Nolensis, a young shepherd noticed his goats became unusually energetic after eating red berries from a bush. Initially alarmed, he later tried the berries himself and felt invigorated. This led Christian monks to adopt the berries as a stimulant to help them stay awake during long nighttime prayers, marking the beginning of coffee’s role in daily life.

Degas’s “The Café” (aka “The Absinthe Drinker”): A Snapshot of Urban Isolation

Edgar Degas (1834–1917), more than just an artist, had the eye of a perceptive documentarian. His painting The Café, also known as The Absinthe Drinker, offers a raw, unfiltered look at Parisian café life in the late 19th century. Unlike idealized portrayals, Degas chose an unconventional composition: a woman sits motionless and expressionless in the upper middle of the canvas, while a black-clad man looms partially out of frame to her right. The left side of the painting is balanced precariously by two tables. The woman appears lost and melancholic, the man tired and coarse. Though the brushwork seems loose, Degas meticulously rendered subtle details—the eyes, nostrils, and mouths of the figures—that convey their social standing and emotional state. His use of black both as a contour line and background color lends the work a stark, heavy contrast reminiscent of Chinese ink painting, reinforcing the mood of detachment and introspection.

Why Degas’s Composition Stands Out

What makes Degas’s café scene remarkable isn’t just the subject, but how he painted it. He deliberately avoided a comfortable or flattering arrangement. The central figure’s rigid posture and blank expression contrast with the man’s weary face, creating a powerful sense of urban alienation. The risky composition—with the woman seated high and off-center, and much of the man cut off—draws attention to their isolation. Degas’s skillful, almost photographic attention to facial micro-expressions reveals deep observation of human behavior. His frequent use of black both outlines forms and enriches shadows, adding a timeless gravity to the scene.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where was the first coffeehouse established?

The first coffeehouse, known as a Kaveh Kane, was established in Mecca in the 15th century. Though originally created for religious gatherings, it quickly evolved into a space for social activities like chess, music, and conversation.

How did coffee spread from Mecca to other cities?

From Mecca, the concept of the coffeehouse spread to Aden, Medina, and Cairo. These early establishments replicated the social and cultural functions of the original Kaveh Kanes, helping to establish the coffeehouse as a widespread institution.

What is the story behind the discovery of coffee in Ethiopia?

According to the Asian monk Faustus Nolensis’s account in "The Unsleeping Monastery," a young Ethiopian shepherd observed his goats becoming energized after eating red berries from a bush. After trying the berries himself and feeling refreshed, the practice spread to Christian monks who used the berries to stay awake during nightly prayers.

Why is Degas’s painting called both “The Café” and “The Absinthe Drinker”?

Degas’s painting is known by both titles. While it’s commonly referred to as The Café, it’s also called The Absinthe Drinker due to its subject matter—a cafe scene depicting figures associated with the 19th-century absinthe culture and urban solitude.

What makes Degas’s café painting different from others of its time?

Unlike idealized or romanticized café scenes, Degas’s work shows a raw, unidealized view of urban life. His unusual composition, emotionally subdued figures, and meticulous attention to facial details highlight themes of alienation and introspection, setting it apart from contemporary works.

How did Degas use black in his painting?

Degas frequently used black both as a contour line and as a background color. This technique adds stark contrast and depth to his work, contributing to the heavy, introspective mood and drawing comparisons to the tonal qualities of Chinese ink painting.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffeehouse Culture

For a taste of the rich coffee culture explored in this article, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for its bright citrus and floral notes, or their Colombia Huila for a balanced profile with caramel and almond. Both single origins reflect the diversity and craftsmanship that modern cafés celebrate. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.