When Did Coffee Beans Become Popular in China?

You’ve heard the stories—goats dancing after eating red berries, monks brewing mysterious fruits to stay awake—but when did coffee beans actually become a mainstream drink in China? And how did this drink spread across the world in the first place?

Coffee beans became widely popular in China during the 19th century. Globally, their use as a beverage dates back to at least the 11th century in the Arabian Peninsula, with earlier legends placing their discovery in 6th-century Ethiopia or 13th-century Yemen.

The Ethiopian Goat Herder Legend

One of the most famous coffee origin stories comes from 17th-century Roman linguist Ludovico di Varthema (Latinized name of ．, 1613–1707). He recorded that around the 6th century, an Ethiopian (then called Abyssinian) goatherd named Kaldi noticed his goats became unusually energetic after eating red fruits from a bush. Curious, Kaldi tried the fruits himself and felt invigorated. He began bringing his flock to eat the berries regularly. A passing Sufi monk then took some of the fruits back to share with his community, and the energizing effects spread.

The Yemeni Monk’s Discovery

Another popular legend involves Sheikh Omar, a disciple of the Sufi saint Sheik Abou al-Hasan Schadheli, who was exiled in the 13th century to Ousab in Arabia (modern-day Yemen). While wandering hungry in the wilderness, Omar found birds eating red fruits from a tree and singing energetically. He tried the fruit, boiled it, and experienced a renewed sense of vitality. He used the brew to help the sick and was eventually pardoned, returning to his home city of Mocha, where he was honoured as a saint. This fruit—widely believed to be coffee—is said to have healed many and spread in religious and medicinal circles.

Coffee as Medicine and Ritual Drink

Arabic historical texts indicate that by the 11th century, as Islamic law prohibited alcohol, followers began boiling dried coffee beans into a liquid used initially as a stomach remedy. They soon discovered its stimulating properties and began consuming it as an alternative to wine. The practice spread from Mecca to Egypt, Syria, Iran, and Turkey. By the 13th century, Arabs had refined the method: drying raw beans, roasting them, crushing them with a mortar and pestle, and then brewing the grounds with water—laying the foundation for modern coffee preparation.

Coffeehouses and Global Spread

The first known coffee houses reportedly opened in Mecca around the 17th century. From there, coffee spread along trade routes, gaining popularity in Italy, India, and England. By around 1650, the first European coffeehouse opened in Oxford, England, marking coffee’s arrival as a widely enjoyed social beverage in the West.

How Coffee Reached China

China didn’t see widespread coffee consumption until the 19th century. Prior to that, coffee remained largely unknown, with limited exposure through trade or foreign missionaries and travellers. It wasn’t until the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period that coffee started appearing in port cities and foreign concessions, gradually entering the local market.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did coffee first become popular in China?

Coffee became widely popular in China during the 19th century. Before that, it was little known and mainly encountered through foreign traders, missionaries, or travellers. Its rise in popularity aligned with increased foreign presence in major port cities during the late Qing Dynasty and early 20th century.

Where was coffee first discovered according to legend?

According to one popular legend, coffee was first discovered in 6th-century Ethiopia by a goatherd named Kaldi, who noticed his goats became energetic after eating red berries. Another legend credits Yemeni Sufi monk Omar in the 13th century with boiling coffee cherries and discovering their stimulating effects while in exile.

How did coffee spread around the world?

Coffee spread from the Arabian Peninsula, particularly Yemen, starting in the 11th century. It moved to Egypt, Syria, Iran, and Turkey, then reached Europe through trade routes by the 16th and 17th centuries. Coffeehouses appeared in Italy, England, and other parts of Europe, helping establish coffee as a global drink.

What was the earliest known use of coffee beans?

Early records from the 11th century suggest that Muslims used boiled coffee beans as a medicinal drink, especially as a substitute for alcohol, which was forbidden. They valued its ability to boost alertness and aid in religious practices, especially during long prayer sessions or fasting.

When did coffeehouses start appearing?

The first coffeehouses are believed to have opened in Mecca in the 17th century. They quickly spread to cities like Cairo and Istanbul, and by the mid-1600s, coffeehouses were established in Europe—in Italy and later in England, with one of the first in Oxford around 1650.

FrontStreet Coffee Beans for History Lovers

Explore the origins of coffee with FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, known for its bright citrus, floral notes, and light body—echoing the highland origins of the first coffee legends. For a Yemen-inspired experience, try our Ethiopia Huakui, offering fruity sweetness with a wine-like acidity. Both are single-origin coffees roasted to highlight their natural qualities, connecting today’s cup to those early stories. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.