WHERE DOES CAF COME FROM? E ?

For four centuries, coffee has been a global drink appreciated for its energy and flavors. Its journey has been tumultuous, marked by controversies and bans, in France as elsewhere.

Do you know the origin of these grains, also called “Ethiopian cherries”, and how they became one of the most consumed products in the world? Dive into this fascinating story!

DISCOVERING COFFEE: BETWEEN LEGEND AND REALITY

According to legend, a shepherd from Ethiopia discovered coffee when he noticed his goats getting restless after eating the fruit from a shrub. Caffeine was the cause. Delighted with his discovery, he shared the fruit with the Sufi community, who appreciated the decoction in hot water for its unique flavors and energy.

However, according to science, the Arabica coffee tree has been native to Ethiopia since prehistoric times, consumed by the ancestors of the Abyssinian people. The first written traces of its virtues date back to the 9th century, in a medical work.

Coffee traveled to the countries of the Orient thanks to Muslim pilgrims to Mecca, spreading its popularity.

THE FIRST CULTURES

The first coffee crops appeared in Yemen at the time of Suleiman the Magnificent, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. Over the course of the conquests, the beans spread to Egypt, North Africa, Syria and Turkey. The "coffee houses" became places of popular conviviality, where people from all social classes gathered around this hot drink.

A CONTROVERSIAL DRINK

In the 16th century, rulers in Egypt and Syria questioned the right to drink coffee, fearing challenges to religious order. The ban was lifted on medical grounds.

THE ARRIVAL OF COFFEE IN EUROPE

Coffee was introduced to Europe in the 17th century by Italian traders. In Italy, Pope Clement VIII was advised to ban the drink as unfaithful, but he refused after tasting it. In England and France, coffee also encountered opposition before becoming popular.

IMPORTING COFFEE INTO AMERICA

Coffee reached North America in 1689, quickly replacing tea after an economic event. European demand increased, leading to the introduction of coffee plants to South America.

Today, coffee is grown in several tropical countries and enjoyed around the world.

Discover our coffees from the Tropics in our boutique at 16 rue de Mulhouse in Riedisheim in Alsace, or on our online store.