How Coffee Got Its Name: From Ethiopia to English

Ever wondered why we call it ‘coffee’ and not something like ‘qahwa’ or ‘kahve’? The story behind the word is as rich and layered as the drink itself — stretching from 5th-century Ethiopia through the Ottoman Empire to 18th-century Europe. It’s a tale of linguistic transformation, cultural exchange, and centuries of global travel.

The English word ‘coffee’ comes from the Arabic ‘qahwa,’ meaning ‘wine.’ This evolved through Turkish (‘kahwe’), Italian (‘caffè’), and finally into English as ‘coffee’ when the British replaced the ‘a’ with an ‘o.’

The Legend Behind the Bean

The most famous origin story begins in 5th-century Ethiopia. A young shepherd named Kaldi noticed his goats became unusually energetic after eating bright red berries from a bush. Curious, he tried them himself — and felt wide awake. Soon, monks used the berries to stay alert during long prayers, and a local tradition was born. That red fruit was coffee.

From Ethiopia to Arabia: The First Name

Coffee cultivation began in the highlands of Ethiopia, likely in the region now called Kafa. By the 15th century, it had spread to the Arabian Peninsula, particularly Yemen. The Arabs were the first to roast and brew the beans like we do today. They called the drink ‘qahwa’ — a word that originally referred to wine, likely because of coffee’s stimulating effects. This is the earliest known name linked directly to our modern word.

Traveling Through Tongues: How ‘Qahwa’ Became ‘Coffee’

As coffee moved across regions, its name changed with the language:

• Arabic: qahwa (قهوة), meaning 'wine' or 'that which prevents sleep.'
• Turkish: kahwe (pronounced kah-veh), adapting the Arabic word to local phonetics.
• Italian: caffè, the Venetian merchants’ interpretation of the Turkish pronunciation.
• English: coffee, where the British shifted the 'a' ending to an 'o,' resulting in the modern word we use today.

Two Famous Legends of Coffee’s Discovery

Beyond the Kaldi tale, two major legends explain coffee’s discovery and early use:

The Shepherd’s Story (Christian Discovery Narrative)

In 16th-century Ethiopia, a shepherd observed his goats behaving wildly after eating red berries. He shared the fruit with monks, who found it helped them stay awake during prayers. The beans were then brewed as a stimulant — the first recorded use of coffee as a drink.

The Monk’s Tale (Islamic Discovery Narrative)

In 1258, a Yemeni Sufi monk named Omar was exiled and starving when he saw birds eating red berries and singing vibrantly. He boiled the berries, creating a fragrant, energizing drink. Omar used it to cure the sick and was eventually welcomed back to his community as a saint. This story emphasizes coffee’s healing and spiritual role in early Islamic society.

The Journey of Coffee Across the Seas

One of the most romantic coffee stories involves French naval officer Gabriel-Mathieu De Clieu. Around 1720 or 1723, while stationed in Martinique, he acquired a coffee plant in Paris and transported it across the Atlantic. He faced pirates, storms, and even sabotage — someone broke a branch during the voyage. At one point, freshwater ran low, so De Clieu shared his own drinking water with the plant. The single surviving coffee tree became the ancestor of much of the New World’s coffee production.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the word ‘coffee’ come from originally?

The word ‘coffee’ originates from the Arabic word ‘qahwa,’ which the Arabs used for a wine-like drink. It passed through Turkish (‘kahwe’), Italian (‘caffè’), and was adapted by the British into ‘coffee’ by changing the vowel sound.

What did Arabs call coffee?

Arabs originally called coffee ‘qahwa,’ a term that also meant ‘wine.’ It was used for its energizing effects, similar to how wine was used to lift spirits.

Who first named coffee ‘kahwe’?

The Turks were the first to call coffee ‘kahwe,’ adapting the Arabic ‘qahwa’ into their own language and pronunciation.

How did coffee get to the Americas?

A French naval officer, Gabriel-Mathieu De Clieu, transported a single coffee plant from Paris to Martinique around 1720–1723. Despite many hardships, the plant survived and became the ancestor of most New World coffee plants.

What is the oldest known coffee origin story?

The oldest and most famous story is of an Ethiopian shepherd named Kaldi, whose goats became energetic after eating red coffee cherries. He tried the fruit, felt alert, and shared it with monks — leading to coffee’s early use as a stimulant.

Why did the British change the word to ‘coffee’?

The British changed the spelling and pronunciation from the Italian ‘caffè’ to ‘coffee’ by replacing the ‘a’ ending with an ‘o,’ aligning it with other familiar English words.

FrontStreet Coffee Beans for History Lovers

Explore the origins of coffee with FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, known for its bright citrus, floral notes, and juicy body — a modern echo of those first red berries. For a deeper, wine-like experience, try Ethiopia Humbera, offering blueberry, spice, and fermented richness. Finish with Colombia Narino Supremo, a balanced cup with caramel and nuts, showing how far coffee has come. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.