Coffee’s Role in Society Throughout the Years

It is very interesting to note that the history of coffee goes back to about the 9th century. It was found at this time in the highlands of Ethiopia and maghreb el Arabiy. 

Coffee then moved on to Egypt and Yemen and had reached Persia, Egypt, Turkey and North Africa by the fifteenth century.

The love of coffee moved on to Europe having come from the Muslim world.  By the seventeenth century, the brew was very popular with Europeans. However, it was the Dutch that were the first people to import coffee into Europe in vast amounts.

The Arabs were prohibited from exporting coffee plants or seeds that had not been roasted. Therefore, it was also the Dutch who were responsible for smuggling seedlings in 1690. The result of this was that coffee was being grown in Dutch owned Java.

Coffee was not all that popular in American colonies when it first appeared on the scene. That is because the people of the colonies were used to drinking alcohol and they did not find that coffee was all that wonderful of a replacement. Coffee just did not seem to catch on nearly as fast there as it had in Europe.

By the time of the Revolutionary War though, people wanted their coffee. They were so adamant for access to the brew that coffee dealers were forced to stockpile their meager amounts of coffee. These same dealers also increased the price of purchasing coffee to shocking amounts.

Part of the reason that coffee became so popular during this time was that tea was not readily available from British merchants and people were looking for a substitute beverage.

After the war of 1812, during the 19th century, Americans began to enjoy consuming coffee even more. It was during the time of the American civil war that coffee became a common everyday drink. This was due in part to the fact that there had been advancements made in the way that coffee was brewed, which helped to develop its taste.

Back then, as is now, many people drank coffee as part of the morning routine. They often consumed a cup or more while having their breakfast as a start to their day.

Coffee has become so well liked in America, the Middle East, and Europe that there are places known as coffeehouses or cafes found all over the place. In fact, for a very long time, especially in Paris, cafes have been a social setting for people to gather in.

In many cultures, coffeehouses are a place for complete social interaction. Not only do people come to drink a cup of java, they also talk, read, play games and more. Sometimes it is a person alone, or a couple or even large groups.

In Middle Eastern Countries, as far back as the 16th century, coffeehouses have been a place for men to get together and consume coffee while they listen to music, play games and read books.

Although coffeehouses may seem like a modern thing, the first coffeehouse opened up in Istanbul in 1457. By the time the 16th century rolled around there were a large number of coffeehouses located throughout Cairo and Istanbul.

With the passing of the years, coffeehouses began to appear in other countries throughout the world for people to gather and enjoy coffee and company. As time went on, these coffeehouses were becoming even more involved in various aspects of entertainment such as poetry readings and more.

The act of consuming coffee has changed dramatically through the years. Once only a beverage to perk you up, it now means so much more to so many people. At one time coffee shops could hardly be found and now there is one on virtually every corner.

Along with the world’s love of coffee; cafes, coffee shops and coffeehouses have become a source of big money. Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the entire world and large amounts of money are spent on this product every single year.