"A short story about the emergence of coffee culture."
This piece was inspired by my brief time living in Dubai. I learned that in Emirati culture, coffee is seen as a form of socialization, bringing people together. Since drinking alcohol is "haram", Emirati's enjoy meeting in local cafés instead of going to bars.
One day, as I walked through the historic Al Fahidi neighbourhood of Bur Dubai (one of the first neighbourhoods to be built in Dubai during the 1890s). I stumbled across an interesting place called the 'Dubai Coffee Museum'. Curious, I stepped inside...
The strong aromas of freshly brewed Ethiopian coffee filled the air, and I immediately felt transported into a world of storytelling.
The Legend of Khaldi
My favourite story, was the legendary tale of Khaldi and his discovery of coffee. Dating back to Ethopia in 9th Century, there believed to be a an Ethiopian goat-herder named Khaldi. One day, a few of his goats separated from the herd and went missing. He later found them energetically dancing and eating berries of a small tree which he had never seen before. Wondering what could be the cause of these effects on the goats he decided to try the berries himself, feeling a rush of energy come to him a little while after eating the berries. After this beautiful experience, he became determined to show this new great discovery to the world.
And so, Khaldi brought the berries to a nearby monastery, but the monks disapproved of this rare fruit fearing that its effects could be related to demons or evil spirits. The monks then proceeded to throw the berries into the fire, from which an exquisite smell poured out that caused nearby people to come and see what was that fragrance.
Thinking that such a great aroma couldn’t be related to any evil entity, the roasted beans were removed from the fire by the monks then ground and put into water, making it the first cup of coffee in the history of the world.
The Rise of Coffee in the Arab world.
Upon its initial discovery, coffee cultivation and consumption began to rise in Ethiopia and then later spread to the rest of the Arabian Peninsula, particularly Yemen, where it became an integral part of social and religious life.
However, there was a period in Islamic history when coffee was seen as a controversy and was banned by some Islamic authorities. The controversy surrounding coffee arose in the 16th century in the Middle East, particularly in the region of the Ottoman Empire.
The concern about coffee primarily stemmed from its stimulating effects and its association with social gatherings in coffeehouses. Some religious authorities at the time were wary of coffee's potential to stimulate intellectual and social activity, fearing that it could lead to excessive socialization or distract people from their religious duties.
In 1511, Khair Beg, the governor of Mecca, attempted to ban coffee due to concerns about its effects on public order and social behavior. However, the ban was short-lived and largely ineffective, as coffee's popularity continued to grow.
Similarly, in the early 16th century, coffee faced opposition in Cairo, where some religious scholars argued that it was intoxicating and therefore prohibited it under Islamic law. However, these objections did not prevent coffee from becoming deeply ingrained in Islamic culture and social life.
Despite initial resistance and sporadic attempts to ban coffee, its consumption eventually became widely accepted within Islamic societies. Coffeehouses flourished across the Middle East, serving as centers of intellectual, social, and political discourse.
Arrival in Europe
Coffee reached Europe for the first time through trade and cultural exchange during the early modern period, particularly in the 16th and 17th centuries. The introduction of coffee to Europe is often attributed to the Republic of Venice and the city of Venice specifically.
The first recorded instance of coffee being introduced to Europe occurred in the 16th century, likely in the early 1600s. According to historical accounts, Venetian merchants and traders encountered coffee during their travels to the Middle East and North Africa, where coffee had already become a popular beverage.
Venetian traders brought back coffee beans and introduced them to Venice, where they initially attracted curiosity among the city's elite and intellectuals. Coffeehouses began to emerge in Venice and quickly became popular social gathering places, known as "botteghe del caffe."
The vibrant coffeehouse culture of Venice caught on quickly, and coffee soon spread to other parts of Italy and Europe. From Venice, coffeehouses began to appear in other major European cities, including London, Paris, and Amsterdam, becoming hubs for social interaction, intellectual exchange, and business dealings.
The introduction of coffee to Europe coincided with the rise of European trade networks and colonial expansion, which facilitated the spread of new goods and commodities across continents. Coffee's popularity in Europe grew rapidly, leading to the establishment of coffee plantations in European colonies in regions such as the Caribbean and later in South and Central America.
Overall, the introduction of coffee to Europe played a significant role in shaping European culture and social life, contributing to the emergence of coffeehouse culture and the widespread consumption of coffee as a beloved beverage.
Kommentarer