WHEN WAS COFFEE FIRST DISCOVERED?

The exact origins of coffee are not entirely clear, but it is believed to have been first discovered in Ethiopia, specifically in the region of Kaffa, which is where the name "coffee" is derived from. The discovery of coffee is attributed to an Ethiopian goatherd named Kaldi around the 9th century.

According to the popular legend, Kaldi noticed that his goats became energized and restless after consuming the red berries from a certain tree. Curious about this effect, he tried the berries himself and experienced a similar stimulating effect. Kaldi shared his findings with monks in a nearby monastery, who began to use the berries to stay awake during their prayers and religious rituals.

The knowledge of coffee then spread to the Arabian Peninsula, where it gained popularity as a beverage. By the 15th century, coffee was being cultivated and traded in various parts of the Arabian world, particularly in Yemen. From there, coffee's popularity spread throughout the Ottoman Empire and eventually reached Europe in the 16th century.