How Coffee Spread from Ethiopia to the Ottoman World

You’ve heard coffee shops are everywhere—but how did coffee become a global drink? The journey began over a thousand years ago, far from your local café. This is the untold story of how coffee moved from its birthplace in Ethiopia, survived bans, fueled empires, and eventually landed in the heart of the Ottoman world.

In short: Coffee originated in Ethiopia, spread to Arabia by the 10th century, was banned as a ‘devil’s drink,’ rediscovered by Sufi monks, roasted by Arabs in the 13th century, and became a public beverage in Yemen by 1454—later spreading to Cairo, Istanbul, and beyond.

The Origins: Ethiopia and Early Spread

Coffee’s story begins in Ethiopia, its native land. By 622 AD, the region was part of the expanding Islamic empire, though Ethiopia remained a Christian kingdom. Between the 10th and 11th centuries, coffee began moving from Ethiopia into the Arabian Peninsula. Early records from Islamic scholars refer to coffee as a forbidden or even satanic drink. At the time, people consumed raw coffee fruits and seeds boiled while still unroasted—as a secret stimulant among religious figures.

The Legend of Coffee’s Discovery

Around 1258, legend credits a Sufi monk named Sheikh Omar with discovering coffee’s true potential. Exiled to a desert cave near Mocha (in modern-day Yemen), Omar ate red berries from a tree after seeing birds eat them. The berries revived his energy. He roasted and boiled them, creating the first version of the beverage we know today. This tale marks the first clear link between coffee beans and their modern preparation.

Roasting Begins and Coffee Catches On

By the late 13th century, Arabs had begun roasting coffee beans. Simple roasting tools were developed, marking a key shift in how coffee was consumed. Then, in 1454, coffee was introduced to the public in Yemen thanks to the efforts of a religious figure from Aden named Gemerting. Until then, it had been a closely guarded medicinal secret. This shift led to the start of local coffee farming in Yemen, particularly around Mocha, and helped coffee move beyond spiritual use into daily life.

Coffee Enters the Islamic World and Beyond

In 1510, coffee reached Cairo, although it faced a brief ban by the governor of Mecca in 1511. The ban was later overturned by the Sultan. By 1517, coffee entered Istanbul through the Ottoman Sultan Selim I, who brought it from the Arab world as the empire expanded. The Ottomans, as successors to Islamic rule, held the caliphate and spread coffee alongside their political influence. By 1530, coffee arrived in Damascus, just before the first Siege of Vienna in 1531 under Suleiman the Magnificent.

The First Coffeehouse and Global Trade

In 1554, the world’s first official coffeehouse, called Kanes, opened in Istanbul. This establishment set the model for coffeehouses across Europe. Around the same time, Arabs began cultivating coffee in Sri Lanka in the early 16th century—a major production region until coffee rust destroyed plantations in 1886. Coffee also spread westward: it reached Alexandria in 1510, despite earlier restrictions, and entered Europe through growing trade routes established after Columbus’s voyage in 1492, which initiated the Age of Exploration and connected Europe with Asia, Africa, and the Americas via new maritime paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did coffee originally come from?

Coffee originated in Ethiopia, where it grew wild and was consumed as a raw fruit or unroasted seed by around the 10th century. It began spreading to the Arabian Peninsula by that time.

Who first discovered coffee as a drink?

According to legend, Sheikh Omar, a Sufi monk, discovered coffee’s stimulating effects around 1258 after eating red coffee berries in exile near Mocha. He roasted and boiled them, creating an energizing drink.

When did coffee become widely consumed in the Islamic world?

Coffee became publicly consumed in Yemen by 1454, thanks to religious figure Gemerting. This marked its shift from a secretive medicinal remedy to a widely accepted social beverage.

What was the first coffeehouse in the world?

The first official coffeehouse, Kanes, opened in Istanbul in 1554. It became a model for future coffeehouses in Europe and solidified coffee’s role in urban social life.

Why was coffee once banned?

Coffee was banned in some places, such as Mecca in 1511, because religious authorities considered it a ‘devil’s drink.’ The ban was later lifted, and coffee gained acceptance across the Islamic world.

How did coffee spread to other continents?

Coffee spread via trade routes established during the Age of Exploration, beginning with European expansion in 1492. It moved from Ethiopia to Arabia, then to Egypt, Turkey, and eventually to Europe and beyond.

FrontStreet Coffee Beans Linked to Coffee’s Origins

Explore coffees that connect to coffee’s ancient roots with FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, known for its bright citrus, floral notes, and light body—echoing the vibrant profiles of early Ethiopian beans. For a deeper, more traditional taste reminiscent of Yemeni Mocha, try our Ethiopia Guji, offering berry, spice, and wine-like acidity. Both beans are roasted to highlight their origin character, perfect for pour-over or filter brewing. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.