The History of Coffee and a Variety of Coffee-Based Culinary Treats

Coffee has become one of the most beloved beverages today, not only in Indonesia but in many other countries as well. You can see this from the growing number of cafés and coffee shops offering every price range imaginable. Even though so many people enjoy it, do you actually know how coffee's history began? Let’s explore that story in this article! 

The History of Coffee and Its Spread

To this day, there is no definitive record of the origins of coffee. However, according to About Coffee, here is how the journey of coffee began and how it eventually spread across the world. 

9th Century: The Ethiopian Highlands

According to legend, coffee and its stimulating effect were first discovered by a goat herder named Kaldi. While tending his goats, Kaldi noticed that they became more energetic after eating certain cherries. He brought the cherries to a local abbot who struggled to stay awake during nightly prayers. The abbot brewed a drink from the cherries, and it helped him stay alert through the night. 

Also Read: Discover How the Schengen Area Was Formed

15th to 16th Century: Its Spread Through the Arabian Peninsula

In the 15th century, coffee was cultivated in Yemen, and by the 16th century, it had begun to gain popularity in several Middle Eastern countries. During this period, public coffeehouses started to appear, although coffee was also commonly consumed at home. Travelers from abroad who visited the holy city of Mecca also helped spread coffee to their home countries when they returned. 

17th Century: Its Arrival in Europe

During this period, coffee began to gain popularity across Europe. Not everyone welcomed it; even some groups opposed it strongly. But when coffee was introduced to Pope Clement VIII in Venice in 1615 and he approved of it, much of the opposition gradually faded. 

17th Century: Expansion Over Asia

In the 17th century, the Dutch began bringing coffee seeds to Asia. Their first attempt in India failed. When they planted the seeds on the island of Java in Indonesia, the plants thrived. Cultivation later expanded to other regions in Indonesia, including Sumatra and Sulawesi. 

18th Century: Coffee Cultivation in the Americas

In 1723, a naval officer obtained coffee seedlings from a tree belonging to King Louis XIV of France. He undertook an arduous journey to plant them on the island of Martinique, and the seedlings eventually grew into the first coffee trees in the Caribbean, South America, and Central America.

18th Century: Boston Tea Party 

In 1773, the Boston Tea Party occurred: a political protest triggered by Britain’s high tea tax. This incident had a significant impact on tea consumption in America, which had previously been very high, and led to a shift in preference from tea to coffee.

Also Read: Enjoy the Rich Taste of Gambyong Kemuning Black Tea! 

19th Century: Widespread Global Expansion

Coffee’s popularity continued to grow as more parties became involved in its trade, from merchants and travelers to colonizers. Coffee cultivation also expanded across many countries, and in the early 19th century, coffee exports had become one of the most profitable commodities after crude oil.

20th to 21st Century: The Growth of Coffee Communities 

In this era, coffee lovers are gradually divided into several categories. The first group preferred packaged coffee, now known as instant coffee, which is easily available in stores. The second group consisted of coffee lovers who focused not only on coffee quality but also on the overall experience, often seeking new flavors and varieties. The third group embraced specialty coffee, focusing on the bean’s quality, origin, processing methods, brewing techniques, and every detail in between. 

Coffee-Based Culinary Creations 

Coffee was originally consumed solely as a beverage. Today, however, it is used in a wide variety of culinary creations, such as:

1. Coffee cookies, which are coffee-flavored cookies shaped like coffee beans and infused with the aroma and taste of coffee.
2. Tiramisu, a dessert that uses brewed coffee as one of its main components, is usually made by soaking sponge cake or finger biscuits.

Beyond these two, many other foods can also be enhanced with coffee, such as coffee pudding, coffee sponge cake, coffee donuts, and many more, depending on your preference.

Those are some interesting insights about coffee. For coffee lovers, did you know that many regions in Indonesia are among the world’s best coffee producers? Some examples include Aceh, South Sumatra, and many others. So, if you’re a true coffee enthusiast, why not use your holiday to visit these regions and taste their signature local coffees? And to make your journey across Indonesia more worry-free, don’t forget to get Domestic Travel Insurance from MSIG Indonesia before you go.