The Legendary Discovery in Ethiopia
The origins of coffee are steeped in legend. One of the most popular tales attributes its discovery to Kaldi, an Ethiopian goat herder. According to the story, Kaldi noticed his goats becoming unusually energetic after eating the red berries from a certain bush. Curious about the effects, Kaldi tried the berries himself and experienced a similar burst of energy. He shared his findings with a local monastery, where the monks began brewing the berries into a drink to stay awake during their prayers. This practice eventually spread, laying the foundation for coffee's journey into the world
Coffee's Spread to the Arabian Peninsula
By the 15th century, coffee had made its way across the Red Sea to Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula. In Yemen, Sufi monks began brewing coffee to aid in their nocturnal devotions, using it to stay awake during their long hours of prayer and meditation. The beverage quickly gained popularity and spread throughout the Islamic world, becoming an integral part of social and religious life. Coffeehouses, known as qahveh khaneh, emerged in cities like Mecca and Cairo, serving as centers for intellectual discussion, music, and socializing. shutdown123