The History of Coffee Beans and Their Arrival in China

You've probably heard the legends—goats dancing after eating mysterious red berries, a weary exile cured by a magical fruit—but what’s the real story behind coffee’s global journey? Understanding how coffee beans developed and traveled helps explain why we drink them today, and how they finally reached China.

Coffee originated in Ethiopia around the 10th century, spread through Yemen by the 15th century, and arrived in China’s major cities only in the late 1990s. It took hundreds of years to go from African highlands to your local café.

The Origins of Coffee: From Myth to Ethiopian Highlands

The earliest stories trace coffee’s discovery to Ethiopia, specifically the Kafa region, around the 10th century. A shepherd named Kaldi noticed his goats became unusually energetic after eating bright red berries. Curious, he tried the fruit himself and shared it with others. This tale, though likely apocryphal, captures coffee’s stimulating effect, which soon became impossible to ignore.

The Spread to Arabia: Yemen and the Birth of Coffee Culture

By the 15th century, coffee had reached Yemen, where it was cultivated in the mountainous region of the Arabian Peninsula. One popular legend from the 13th century tells of Sheikh Omar, exiled to the desert near Ousab (in modern-day Yemen). He found birds thriving after eating red berries and tried boiling them into a drink. The energizing effects revived him, leading to the drink’s adoption by others. Omar returned to Mocha a hero, and coffee became associated with the port city, spreading from there across the Muslim world.

Coffee drinking gained religious and social prominence in Yemeni Sufi monasteries, where it helped worshippers stay alert during nighttime prayers. By the 16th century, coffee houses known as qahveh khaneh flourished in cities like Mecca and Medina, laying early foundations for café culture.

Coffee Arrives in China: A Late but Growing Presence

Coffee first appeared in parts of Asia much earlier than in mainland China. Indonesian Chinese communities were drinking coffee daily by the 1960s, while Taiwanese began embracing it in the 1970s—around 40 years ago. In Hong Kong, coffee culture has an even longer, though less clearly documented, history.

On the Chinese mainland, coffee culture only began to emerge in the late 1990s. Since then, cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen have seen a boom in cafés. Today, young people regularly enjoy coffee in restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and dessert shops. Consumption is no longer limited to a single format or venue, reflecting a maturing market and diversified tastes.

The Journey of Coffee: Key Historical Milestones

Coffee’s path from wild plant to global staple involved several critical steps:

• Ethiopia (10th century): Discovery of coffee’s stimulant effects, likely by goat herders.
• Yemen (15th century): First large-scale cultivation and brewing development in places like Mocha.
• Ottoman Empire & Europe (16th–17th centuries): Coffee spreads across the Middle East and into Europe via trade routes.
• Asia (17th century onward): Dutch and other colonial powers introduce coffee to Indonesia and other regions.
• Mainland China (late 1990s): Modern coffee drinking begins to take root, growing rapidly since the 2000s.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did coffee originally come from?

Coffee originated in the highlands of Ethiopia, likely in the Kafa region, around the 10th century. The earliest stories attribute its discovery to a shepherd who observed his goats becoming energized after eating red coffee cherries.

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

Coffee spread from Ethiopia to Yemen in the 15th century, where it was cultivated and brewed systematically. From Yemen, it moved along trade routes into the Middle East, Turkey, and eventually Europe, before colonial powers introduced it to Asia and beyond.

When did people in China start drinking coffee?

Coffee drinking began in certain Chinese communities overseas earlier, such as among Indonesian Chinese in the 1960s and Taiwanese in the 1970s. On the Chinese mainland, modern coffee culture only started to emerge in the late 1990s, growing significantly since then.

What role did Yemen play in coffee history?

Yemen was crucial in developing coffee as a cultivated crop and drink. By the 15th century, Yemeni farmers were growing coffee and creating early brewing methods. The port city of Mocha became a central hub for global coffee trade.

How did coffee reach the Chinese mainland?

Coffee arrived in mainland China relatively late, gaining popularity in the late 1990s. Since then, it has spread quickly in urban centers, with young consumers frequenting cafés, restaurants, and bakeries that serve coffee.

Is there any truth to the legend of Kaldi the shepherd?

The story of Kaldi, the Ethiopian shepherd who discovered coffee’s effects through his goats, is widely told but likely legendary. While it can’t be confirmed as fact, it reflects the long-standing awareness of coffee’s stimulating properties.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Coffee History Fans

Explore the origins of coffee with FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera, a bright and juicy single origin from the Guji region with notes of blueberry, jasmine, and citrus. For a classic taste of Yemeni-inspired profiles, try their Yirgacheffe offering with floral and lemony brightness. Both beans highlight the diverse flavours that emerged from coffee’s ancient birthplace. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.