The Origins of Coffee: From Ethiopia to the Ottoman Empire

Ever wondered where coffee actually came from—and how it went from a banned substance to the world’s favorite drink? The story isn’t just about beans, but empires, religion, and a lot of perseverance. This timeline tracks coffee’s journey from its Ethiopian highlands to the bustling coffeehouses of Istanbul, revealing the key moments that shaped the beverage we know today.

Coffee’s story begins around 622 AD in Ethiopia, later spreading to the Arabian Peninsula by the 10th–11th century. It was banned, medicinalized, and finally embraced—first roasted in the 13th century, then popularized in 15th-century Yemen. By the 16th century, it reached Istanbul, where the first official coffeehouse opened in 1554.

The Birthplace: Ethiopia and Early Spread

Coffee originates from Ethiopia, a region that remained independent and Christian even while part of the vast Islamic Empire formed after 622 AD, when the prophet Muhammad led followers from Mecca to Medina. By the 10th–11th century, coffee began moving from Ethiopia into the Arabian Peninsula.

Early Religious Resistance and Medicinal Use

Between the 10th and 11th centuries, early Islamic records labeled coffee as forbidden, even calling it the “devil’s drink.” At the time, coffee fruits and seeds were boiled raw and used as a secret tonic by some religious scholars.

The Legend of Kaldi and the Discovery of Coffee Beans

Around 1258, the legend of coffee’s discovery credits Omar, an exiled Arab monk, who observed birds eating red coffee cherries in the mountains near Mocha (in present-day Yemen). After trying the fruit himself, he reportedly regained energy and endurance—marking the first known association of coffee beans with stimulation.

The Introduction of Roasting

By the latter half of the 13th century, Arabs in Yemen began roasting coffee beans. Simple roasting tools were developed, laying the groundwork for the modern coffee preparation process.

Coffee Reaches the Public and Spreads Across the Middle East

In 1454, coffee became more widely accessible thanks to a religious figure in Aden, shifting it from a secret remedy to a public drink. Around the same time, coffee cultivation started in Yemen. By 1510, coffee arrived in Cairo, although it briefly faced a ban in Mecca in 1511, which was later overturned. In 1517, coffee entered Istanbul under Ottoman Sultan Selim I, who had assumed the title of Caliph and led the Islamic world following the fall of earlier dynasties.

Coffee Expands into Asia and Europe’s Trade Networks

The 16th century saw coffee cultivation begin in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) under Arab influence. That same period marked the start of European expansion—the 1492 voyage of Columbus launched the Age of Exploration, opening new trade routes between Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Spices, textiles, and other Eastern goods began arriving by sea, facilitating the movement of coffee across continents. By 1530, coffee reached Damascus, and in 1554, Istanbul hosted the world’s first official coffeehouse, named Kiva (or Kanes), which influenced later European café culture.

How Coffee Took Root in the Islamic World

Despite early resistance, coffee gained a foothold through religious exception, medicinal appeal, and eventual social acceptance. Roasting transformed raw beans into a consumable product, while public coffeehouses provided spaces for cultural exchange. By the mid-16th century, coffee was firmly established in the Ottoman Empire and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did coffee originally come from?

Coffee originated in Ethiopia, where it grew wild and was consumed by local communities. By the 10th–11th century, it began spreading to the Arabian Peninsula, eventually reaching Yemen, where it was further developed.

Why was coffee banned in early Islamic history?

Coffee was initially considered controversial and was even called the “devil’s drink” by some Islamic scholars. Its stimulating effects led to bans in places like Mecca around 1511, though many of these were later lifted as its use became more accepted.

Who first discovered coffee beans and how?

According to legend, an exiled Arab monk named Omar discovered coffee beans around 1258 in the mountains near Mocha (Yemen). He observed birds eating red coffee cherries, tried them himself, and experienced renewed energy—leading to the first recorded association of coffee with stimulation.

When and where was coffee first roasted?

Coffee beans were first roasted in the latter half of the 13th century in Arabia. This development allowed for the preparation of brewed coffee as we know it and marked a key step in its transformation into a widely consumed beverage.

What was the first coffeehouse in the world?

The first official coffeehouse, named Kanes (or Kiva), opened in Istanbul in 1554. It became a model for future coffeehouses in Europe and marked coffee’s transition into a public, social drink in the Islamic world.

How did coffee spread to other parts of the world?

Coffee spread through trade, conquest, and religious networks. It moved from Ethiopia to Arabia, then to Egypt, Syria, and Istanbul. European exploration in the late 15th century facilitated further global distribution, with cultivation also beginning in places like Sri Lanka during the 16th century.

FrontStreet Coffee Beans Linked to Coffee’s Origins

Explore the origins of coffee with FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, a bright and floral single origin with notes of citrus and jasmine—echoing the highland profiles of coffee’s birthplace. For a taste of Yemeni-inspired tradition, try our Ethiopia Huakui, offering stone fruit and spice complexity reminiscent of early Arabian coffees. Both beans highlight the diverse flavour heritage rooted in early coffee-growing regions. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.