History of Coffee

History of Coffee

• Originated in Ethiopia over 1,000 years ago
• Legend has it that a goatherd discovered coffee after noticing his goats became more energetic after eating coffee cherries
• Spread to the Arabian Peninsula, where it was cultivated and traded throughout the Middle East

Coffee Production

• Coffee beans are harvested from coffee plants (Coffea arabica or Coffea canephora)
• Beans are processed through one of two methods:
  • Natural: dried in their fruit, resulting in a fruitier flavor
  • Washed: pulp and skin removed, resulting in a cleaner flavor
• Roasting:
  • Light roasts: more acidic and fruity
  • Dark roasts: more bitter and caramel-like

Coffee Types

• Arabica: more expensive, mild and nuanced flavor, grown at high altitudes
• Robusta: more bitter, higher caffeine content, often used in instant coffee
• Liberica: rare, fruity and floral flavor
• Excelsa: hybrid of Liberica and Arabica

Coffee and Health

• Caffeine:
  • Stimulates nervous system, increases alertness and energy
  • Can improve mental performance and reaction time
• Antioxidants:
  • May reduce risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer
  • May improve cognitive function and reduce risk of neurodegenerative diseases

Coffee Culture

• Third wave coffee: focus on high-quality, unique beans and brewing methods
• Coffee houses:
  • Historical significance as social gathering spaces
  • Modern coffee shops often focus on ambiance and customer experience
• Coffee drinks:
  • Espresso: concentrated shot of coffee
  • Macchiato: espresso "marked" with milk
  • Cappuccino: espresso, steamed milk, and foam
  • Latte: espresso and steamed milk

History of Coffee

• Coffee originated in Ethiopia over 1,000 years ago, with a legend suggesting that a goatherd discovered its energizing effects on his goats.
• From Ethiopia, coffee spread to the Arabian Peninsula, where it was cultivated and traded throughout the Middle East.

Coffee Production

• There are two main coffee plant species: Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora.
• Coffee beans are processed through either natural or washed methods, resulting in distinct flavor profiles.
• Natural processing involves drying coffee beans in their fruit, resulting in a fruitier flavor, while washed processing involves removing the pulp and skin, resulting in a cleaner flavor.
• Roasting coffee beans can result in light or dark roasts, with light roasts being more acidic and fruity, and dark roasts being more bitter and caramel-like.

Coffee Types

• Arabica coffee beans are considered more expensive and have a mild, nuanced flavor, typically grown at high altitudes.
• Robusta coffee beans are more bitter and have a higher caffeine content, often used in instant coffee.
• Liberica coffee beans are rare and have a fruity and floral flavor.
• Excelsa coffee beans are a hybrid of Liberica and Arabica.

Coffee and Health

• Caffeine stimulates the nervous system, increasing alertness and energy, and may improve mental performance and reaction time.
• Antioxidants in coffee may reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer, and improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

Coffee Culture

• The third wave coffee movement focuses on high-quality, unique beans and brewing methods.
• Coffee houses have historically served as social gathering spaces, and modern coffee shops often focus on ambiance and customer experience.
• Common coffee drinks include espresso, macchiato, cappuccino, and latte, each with distinct preparation methods and flavor profiles.