The History of Coffee: From Arabia to Global Culture

Ever wondered how coffee became the global drink it is today? The story isn’t just about beans—it’s a journey through empires, religions, and innovations that shaped how we drink coffee now. This timeline traces coffee from its first use as a medicinal drink to becoming a worldwide cultural staple.

In short: Coffee was first cultivated and consumed systematically by Arabs in the 11th century, spread to Egypt and the Middle East by the 13th century, reached Europe in the 17th century via Venice, and expanded globally through Dutch cultivation in Java and French planting in the Caribbean. The first coffeehouse opened in Damascus in 1530, and the first in Europe opened in Venice in 1645.

The Origins of Coffee Consumption

The earliest recorded use of coffee comes from 6th-century Ethiopia, where a shepherd noticed his goats became energetic after eating red coffee cherries. But it wasn’t until the 11th century that Arabs in the Arabian Peninsula began boiling coffee cherries into a drink or roasting and brewing them as a medicinal remedy—initially for stomach issues. Due to Islamic prohibitions on alcohol, roasted coffee became a popular legal stimulant among Muslims.

It wasn’t until the 13th century that Arabs began roasting green coffee beans before brewing. By this time, coffee cultivation had become intentional and widespread across Arabia, particularly in regions like Yemen. The drink spread from the Arabian Peninsula to Egypt, then to Syria, Iran, and Turkey during the 12th and 13th centuries.

Coffee Arrives in the Middle East and Beyond

By the 16th century, coffee culture flourished in the Middle East. In 1530, the world’s first known coffeehouse opened in Damascus. Over the next few years, over 200 coffeehouses appeared in cities across the Ottoman Empire, with even mobile coffee tents serving travelers on remote roads.

Coffee entered Europe through trade routes, often via Venice and Marseille. Though some European leaders initially resisted it—like France’s King Clement VIII, who called it “the devil’s drink” but admitted it was too good to leave to Muslims—the popularity of coffee grew rapidly. Italian merchants helped spread coffee culture, and in 1645, Venice saw the opening of its first coffeehouse, Bottega del Coffee.

Coffeehouse Culture and Global Expansion

• 1529: Franz Georg Kolschitzky opens Vienna’s first coffeehouse and introduces the coffee-with-milk trend.
• 1544: Coffee is dubbed “black gold” in Istanbul and becomes widely popular.
• 1652: The first coffeehouse in England opens, marking the start of British coffee culture.
• 1668: Coffee overtakes beer as New York City’s preferred breakfast drink.
• 1672: Paris gets its first coffeehouse.
• 1684: The British introduce coffee to Taipei (then part of Dutch Formosa), planting trials begin.
• 1690: The Dutch smuggle coffee seeds from Arabia and start cultivating it in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Java, becoming the first major coffee exporters.
• 1706: Berlin opens its first coffeehouse.
• 1718: French Admiral de Clieu plants coffee in Martinique using his own drinking water; coffee spreads across Central and South America from there, accounting for 90% of the world’s current production.
• 1721: Berlin’s first coffeehouse opens.
• 1773: Following the Boston Tea Party, coffee becomes America’s everyday drink.

Modern Coffee Innovations

The 19th and 20th centuries brought key innovations:

• 1861–1865 (American Civil War): The espresso brewing method is invented using steam pressure.
• 1884: The British introduce coffee to Taiwan’s Jiayi and Alishan regions under Japanese colonial rule, focusing on Arabica.
• 1900: The Hill brothers pioneer vacuum-sealed roasted coffee packaging.
• 1901: Japanese-American chemist Satori Kato invents instant coffee in Chicago.
• 1903: German merchant Ludwig Roselius develops a decaffeination process, creating Sanka.
• 1906: British chemist George Constant Washington mass-produces instant coffee in Guatemala.
• 1923: Sanka arrives in the U.S.
• 1931: Japanese company Kimura plants coffee in Chiayi and Hualien, Taiwan.
• 1938: Nestlé helps Brazil solve a coffee surplus by developing instant coffee.
• 1941: Taiwan sees a coffee boom, but WWII disrupts production.
• 1949: Post-war, Taipei’s Chaofeng Café opens, serving coffee popularized via U.S. military bases.
• 1950: Instant coffee, mainly Nestlé brand, is introduced to Taiwan with U.S. military assistance.
• 1960: The “honey coffee shop” trend peaks; Taipei’s Mingxing Café becomes a literary hub.
• 1962: The first International Coffee Organization is founded.
• 1963: Antong Farm begins coffee cultivation.
• 1980: Literary-themed and garden-style cafés gain popularity in Taiwan.
• 1990: European-style, Japanese-style, and chain coffee shops dominate the market.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was coffee first used as a drink?

Coffee was first boiled into a medicinal drink by Arabs in the 11th century. It was originally prepared either as a soup or by roasting and brewing dried cherries, primarily for stomach remedies.

Where was the first coffeehouse opened?

The first coffeehouse in the world opened in Damascus in 1530. Soon after, coffeehouses spread throughout the Ottoman Empire, with hundreds established in major cities and mobile coffee tents serving travelers.

How did coffee spread to Europe?

Coffee entered Europe in the 17th century through trade ports like Venice and Marseille. Italian merchants played a key role in spreading coffee culture, and Venice’s first coffeehouse, Bottega del Coffee, opened in 1645.

Who first cultivated coffee outside Arabia?

The Dutch were the first to cultivate coffee outside Arabia, smuggling seeds in the late 17th century and establishing plantations in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Java around 1690.

When was instant coffee invented?

Instant coffee was invented in 1901 by Japanese-American chemist Satori Kato in Chicago. Mass production began in 1906 by George Constant Washington in Guatemala.

What innovation made espresso possible?

The espresso method, using steam pressure, was developed during the American Civil War between 1861 and 1865.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee History Fans

Explore the origins of coffee with FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Huakui, a bright and floral single origin with notes of jasmine and citrus—echoing the wild Ethiopian origins of coffee. Pair it with PWN Golden Mandheling, a classic Indonesian full-bodied bean with earthy sweetness, reflecting Java’s role in global coffee trade. For a taste of Yemeni-inspired tradition, try FrontStreet’s Yemen Mocha Mattari (when available), known for its bold, wine-like profile. All three showcase how coffee has evolved from its first use to global prominence. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.