The Early Spread of Coffee: From Ethiopia to Istanbul

You’ve heard that coffee started somewhere in the Middle East, but when? How did a plant from Ethiopia become the drink of sultans and scholars, then spread across continents? This article tracks coffee’s journey from its likely birthplace to the first coffeehouse in Istanbul—step by step, with every known date and event.

Coffee’s story begins around 622 AD in Ethiopia and spreads westward across the Arabian Peninsula over the next millennium. By 1554, Istanbul had opened the world’s first true coffeehouse. Key steps included coffee’s early use as a stimulant, its ban and later acceptance in Mecca and Cairo, and its cultivation in Yemen starting around 1454.

The Origins: Ethiopia and Early Spread

Coffee originates from Ethiopia, a region that was part of the Islamic empire after 622 AD, when the Prophet Muhammad led followers from Mecca to Medina and built a powerful religious-political territory stretching to the Iberian Peninsula. Ethiopia remained a Christian kingdom within this empire. By the 10th–11th centuries, coffee began moving from Ethiopia toward the Arabian Peninsula.

Early records from Arabic physicians like Larsus and philosophers such as Abikener describe coffee as a forbidden or even demonic drink—referred to as the “devil’s beverage.” At the time, people consumed raw coffee fruits and seeds, often boiled, as a secret tonic among Islamic scholars.

Key Figures and Early Coffee Discoveries

One of the most famous legends credits a Sufi monk named Sheikh Omar with discovering coffee’s energizing effects around 1258. Exiled far from his home in Mocha to a place called Wush Wush (or possibly Urfa), Omar encountered birds eating red coffee cherries. He tried them himself, felt revitalized, and recovered his strength. This tale, whether true or not, marks one of the first accounts of coffee being linked to energy and well-being.

By the late 13th century, people in Arabia had begun roasting coffee beans. Early, simple roasting tools were developed to prepare the beans for consumption.

Coffee Reaches the Arab World and Beyond

In 1454, coffee was introduced to the general public in the Arabian Peninsula thanks to the efforts of a saint from Aden named Gemerting. Prior to this, coffee had been used mostly as a religious elixir. With this shift, it became widely accepted across Yemen and the wider region, leading to the start of local coffee farming in Yemen.

By the early 1500s, coffee had reached Cairo. In 1510, it arrived in Mecca, although the local governor, Karl Bay, issued a ban in 1511—which was later overturned by the Sultan. In 1517, coffee entered Istanbul after being introduced by Ottoman Sultan Selim I. The Ottomans, as successors to the Islamic caliphate, held religious authority and controlled much of the Middle East following the previous dynasty’s abdication.

From Istanbul, coffee spread rapidly. By 1530, it had reached Damascus, and by 1554, the world’s first official coffeehouse, called Kaveh Kanes (often shortened to “Kanes”), opened in Istanbul. This establishment set the model for coffeehouses across Europe. The same year also saw the first military defense of Vienna led by Suleiman the Magnificent.

Meanwhile, in 1517, Yemen began developing its own coffee cultivation. The beans were traded across the region, and by the early 1600s, Arabs had started growing coffee in Sri Lanka, where plantations thrived until a rust disease outbreak destroyed them in 1886.

How Coffee Spread: Trade, Religion, and Prohibition

The global movement of coffee was driven by trade routes established during the Age of Exploration. In 1492, Columbus set sail, initiating European expansion into Asia, Africa, and the Americas. New maritime routes enabled vibrant trade between Europe, the Islamic world, and Asia—including the transport of spices, silk, and ceramics.

Religious and political factors also shaped coffee’s early history. Initially viewed with suspicion, coffee was banned in Mecca (1511) and Cairo (1511), only to be reinstated later. These bans reflected unease about its stimulating effects and social role. Over time, coffee gained acceptance as both a religious aid and a social drink, especially within Sufi communities and scholarly circles.

The shift from private, secretive use to public coffeehouses marked coffee’s transformation into a shared cultural experience. The Kaveh Kanes in Istanbul became centers of conversation, news, and community—laying the foundation for the modern café.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did coffee first spread from Ethiopia?

Coffee began spreading from Ethiopia to the Arabian Peninsula around the 10th to 11th centuries. Though Ethiopia is the likely origin of the coffee plant, its use as a brewed beverage began developing later, particularly after it entered the Arabian cultural and religious sphere.

Who first discovered coffee’s energizing effects?

According to legend, Sheikh Omar, a Sufi monk, discovered coffee’s energizing properties around 1258 while in exile in a mountainous region (possibly Wush Wush or Urfa). After eating red coffee cherries, he felt revitalized. While the story is likely apocryphal, it reflects early recognition of coffee’s stimulating effects.

When and where was the first coffeehouse opened?

The first true coffeehouse, known as Kaveh Kanes or “Kanes,” opened in Istanbul in 1554. It became a model for future coffeehouses in Europe and marked a major step in coffee’s social acceptance.

Why was coffee banned in Mecca and Cairo?

Coffee was banned in Mecca (1511) and Cairo (also around 1511) because religious authorities viewed it as a dangerous or taboo stimulant, sometimes calling it the “devil’s drink.” The bans were later reversed, as coffee became more widely accepted among scholars and the public.

When did coffee cultivation begin in Yemen?

Coffee cultivation in Yemen started around 1454, after coffee was introduced to the general population by a saint from Aden. This marked the beginning of Yemen as a key coffee-growing region and a hub for global coffee trade.

How did coffee reach the Ottoman Empire and Europe?

Coffee entered the Ottoman Empire in 1517 through Istanbul under Sultan Selim I. From there, it spread across the Middle East and eventually to Europe via trade routes and cultural exchange, with the first coffeehouses appearing in Istanbul by 1554 and later influencing European café culture.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee History Fans

Explore the origins of coffee with FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Guji — bright and floral with citrus and stone fruit notes — and Ethiopia Sidamo Konga, offering blueberry, jasmine, and brown sugar. For a deeper experience, try Yirgacheffe Worka Chelchele, with notes of bergamot and honey. These single-origin beans reflect the diverse flavours rooted in coffee’s birthplace. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.