How Coffee Was Discovered and Spread Around the World

Ever wondered how humans first discovered coffee? While sipping your morning cup, it’s easy to get curious—how did this energizing drink come to be? From ancient goat herders in Ethiopia to French Enlightenment thinkers in Parisian cafés, the story of coffee is as rich as its aroma. But where did it really begin, and how did it travel across continents?

Coffee was likely first discovered in the 6th century in Ethiopia when a goatherd named Kaldi noticed his goats became hyperactive after eating red berries. Later, stories tell of Sufi monks in Yemen brewing the beans, and 18th-century French naval officer Gabriel Mathieu de Clieu smuggling a coffee tree to Martinique—each tale contributing to coffee’s global legacy.

The Origins and Early Legends of Coffee

Multiple legends explain coffee’s discovery. One involves Kaldi, an Ethiopian goatherd around the 6th century, who observed his goats acting wildly after eating red berries. Curious, he tried them himself, found them energizing, and shared them. Another tale from Yemen credits Sufi monk Omar, exiled to Ousab, who brewed berries from birds’ favored trees, creating a restorative drink. A third romantic story describes French officer Gabriel Mathieu de Clieu protecting a single coffee seedling on a perilous voyage to Martinique in 1720 or 1723, ensuring coffee’s spread to the Americas.

How Coffee Spread Across the Globe

Coffee originated in Ethiopia but was cultivated and distributed globally via Yemen’s Mocha port. Ethiopian coffee farming began around 575 AD, with beans treated as precious commodities. By the 17th century, Indian Sufi Baba Budan smuggled fertile seeds to India, breaking the Arab monopoly. The Dutch played a pivotal role in spreading coffee cultivation—they acquired a coffee tree in 1616, began planting in Ceylon by 1658, and established plantations in Java by 1699. France introduced coffee to Réunion (Bourbon Island) in 1715, while the Dutch brought it to Suriname in 1718. Coffee reached South America in 1723 via Martinique, leading to Brazil’s first plantation in 1727. Jamaica saw coffee in 1730 (source of Blue Mountain), Guatemala in 1750, Costa Rica in 1779, Mexico in 1790, Hawaii in 1825, Kenya in 1878, Vietnam in 1887, and Australia in 1896.

The Global Coffee Market and Trade

Today, over 70 countries grow coffee, producing 1 million bags annually, making coffee the world’s second-most traded commodity. The International Coffee Organization’s member nations produce 97% of global coffee and consume 65% of retail coffee. Key producers include Brazil and Colombia, with Vietnam rising rapidly. Colombia produces 12% of the world’s coffee, known for washed, high-quality beans like its Lucca variety. In the 2005–06 season, global production hit 108.7 million bags (60kg each), rising to a projected 122 million in 2006–07—but demand was only 117–118 million, creating surplus. Vietnam and Brazil are now major forces in global supply.

Coffee Culture Around the World

Britain: From Coffeehouses to Tea

In the 17th and early 18th centuries, London was a coffee city. The first coffeehouse opened in Oxford in 1650, followed by others across London, numbering 2,000 by 1700. These served as hubs for debate, publishing standards, and early media. They were male-only, sparking protests like the 1674 Women’s Petition Against Coffee. Coffeehouses fostered the Royal Society’s roots. However, tea eventually replaced coffee as Britain’s favorite drink, especially after the 19th-century shift to Indian tea plantations. Coffee made a 20th-century comeback with Italian espresso and American instant coffee, transforming British consumption habits permanently.

France: Romantic Coffee and Dark Roasts

Parisian coffeehouses boomed in the 18th century, becoming hotbeds for political discourse ahead of the French Revolution. The French favor darker roasts—often using African-grown Robusta beans—to mask bitterness. Legendary cafés like Café Procope (opened 1689) hosted figures like Napoleon, who once paid with his hat. Today, locals cling to their favorite spots and orders, and waitstaff intuit their needs effortlessly. Coffee remains a social staple.

Vienna: Coffee with Milk and Classical Music

Vienna’s coffee culture began in 1683 when Polish military ally Franz Georg Kolschitzky claimed 500 sacks of coffee beans left by retreating Ottoman troops. He opened the Blue Bottle, the city’s first café, and invented the filtered coffee-with-milk drink that evolved into the modern latte. Vienna’s coffeehouses, like the historic Café Central, hosted musical greats such as Beethoven and Mozart. Menus often feature 40+ coffee variations, making Vienna a must-visit for coffee lovers.

Germany: A Nation of Coffee Drinkers

Germany opened its first coffeehouse in Berlin in 1721. Despite wartime disruptions—including coffee shortages in both World Wars due to trade blockades—the country developed a strong coffee culture. Germans became key players in Latin American coffee trading, controlling much of Guatemala’s production and exports. Today, Germany is the world’s second-largest coffee consumer per capita, surpassing even the United States.

Italy: The Birthplace of Espresso

Coffee arrived in Venice in 1615 and gained papal approval in 1600. Italy’s first coffeehouse opened in Venice in 1645, with Florian’s in Piazza San Marco (est. 1720) being the oldest still running. Italians transformed coffee into an art form, popularizing espresso. Though not the birthplace of coffee, Italy defined how millions drink it today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who first discovered coffee according to legend?

According to one popular legend, an Ethiopian goatherd named Kaldi discovered coffee in the 6th century after noticing his goats became energetic from eating red coffee cherries. He tried the cherries himself and felt invigorated.

How did coffee spread from Ethiopia to the rest of the world?

Coffee spread from Ethiopia to Yemen, where Sufi monks brewed it for energy. It later moved globally largely due to Dutch traders who brought coffee plants to Ceylon and Java, and a French officer who smuggled a coffee seedling to Martinique in the 1720s, enabling growth in the Americas.

What role did the Dutch play in the global coffee trade?

The Dutch acquired a coffee tree in 1616, started growing coffee in Ceylon by 1658 and Java by 1699, and played a central role in establishing commercial coffee cultivation outside Arabia, allowing global expansion.

Which country is the second largest consumer of coffee per capita?

Germany is the second largest coffee consumer per capita in the world, drinking more coffee per person than the United States.

Why did coffeehouses become important in 17th century Britain?

Coffeehouses in 17th-century Britain became centers for open discussion, debate, and the exchange of news and ideas, influencing the development of early newspapers and contributing to the founding principles of the Royal Society.

What is Vienna’s contribution to coffee culture?

Vienna is known for inventing the filtered coffee-and-milk drink that led to the modern latte, and for its historic coffeehouses that have hosted countless artists and intellectuals, often serving dozens of unique coffee varieties.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee History Fans

Explore coffee origins with FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Guji Humbera, offering bright citrus and floral notes reminiscent of Yirgacheffe’s heritage. For a classic washed profile, try Colombia Narino Huila with caramel and almond sweetness. Or dive into Sumatra Mandheling’s earthy richness—a nod to the bold Robusta-based blends once popular in Europe. All showcase the diverse flavors shaped by coffee’s global journey. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.