Who Drank Coffee First? (Solved & Explained!)

The first recorded account of modern coffee drinking comes from a 15th century Arabian manuscript of Ahmed al-Ghaffar of Yemen.

Coffee seeds were first roasted in Arabia and prepared for drinking. The methods used back then are similar to those used today in modern coffee bean processing.

Where is the Birthplace of Coffee?

Although the Arabs were the first to roast coffee, it is in Ethiopia where coffee was first discovered and grown over one thousand years ago.

The Ethiopian people of the Kaffa region were the first to cultivate coffee specifically for its energy-releasing effect.

What Came First, Coffee or Tea?

Tea is much older than coffee, predating the latter by 4000 years.

Tea is one of the earliest hot drinks known to mankind. It was first cultivated in China, and China remains one of the leading countries to grow and mass produce tea for a variety of commercial brands.

Did The Romans Drink Coffee?

No, the Romans did not drink coffee! The Romans are known for many things but coffee drinking is not one of them. 

This is because coffee had not been discovered yet. The Roman Empire lasted until 476AD, some 500 years before the first coffee bean was processed for drinking.

Did Ancient Greeks Drink Coffee?

Like their Roman counterparts, the ancient Greeks came along a little too early to catch onto the coffee craze. The ancient Greek Empires were long gone before even a single coffee bean reached Greek shores.

It was the Turks who introduced the Greeks to coffee drinking during the height of the Ottoman Empire, and the locals put their own stamp on the drink and immersed it within Greek culture.

Did Ancient Warriors Drink Coffee?

Ancient warriors who were aware of coffee did have coffee. The Oromo people of the Kaffa region where coffee was first cultivated used to carry sacks of coffee the size of billiard balls.

The sacks were made from leather, and the coffee was dried and eaten rather than drank to give the warriors extra energy during raids.

What Did Romans Drink Instead of Coffee?

The Romans drank warm wine instead of coffee known as Calda (or Ca’lida).

Calda was a warm wine drink diluted with water. It was a favorite among the locals during the winter months and available at shops and taverns to either drink in or take away.

The ancient Greeks also drank Calda, and likely passed down the recipe to the Romans. 

Who Found The First Coffee Plant?

A local African goat herder by the name of Kaldi took his place in the halls of history by being the first person to discover the coffee plant.

Kaldi lived during the 9th century in the African kingdom of Kaffa. According to legend, Kaldi noticed his goats behaving strangely after grazing on a mid-sized dark green shrub.

He took the berries of the shrub to the local monastery for inspection. The chaplain deemed the berries to be ‘of the devil’ and ordered Kadli to toss them into the fire.

A sudden aromatic smell arose from the flames and enticed the monks who quickly saved the berries from the fire. No one really knows what happened next, but shortly after, hot drinks made from these mysterious coffee berries began circulating around the region.

Who Drinks the Most Coffee?

Finland drinks the most coffee worldwide, drinking an average of 26.5 pounds per capita per year.

In second place is Norway (21.8lbs) and third is Iceland (19.8lbs) basically the Nordic countries are most favorable to coffee, with the USA ranking in at 45th.

Is Coffee Important to History?

Coffee is thought to be responsible for enlightenment thinking, as it gave men and women a few extra hours of energy a day for creative pursuits outside of survival. 

Coffee left its mark on history like no other beverage (except perhaps tea). Coffee has been the fuel of revolutions, new businesses, literature, great inventions, inspiring music, and unfortunately – slavery.

It is probable that mankind would have developed at a slower pace if coffee had not been discovered.

Why Is Coffee a Culture?

Coffee is a culture because it has a long history, it tastes great, it can easily be infused with local aromas, and it has a practical function.

Today, many people would struggle without their daily coffee break, either to relax and unwind or to gather and socialize.

Coffee is also a vital energy boost that helps get extra work done, assists new parents to adjust to sleepless nights, and is the social lubricant of many business meetings and first dates.

Coffee fits into almost any society that can put its stamp on it. There are numerous ways to process coffee for a slightly different taste, and coffee goes well with numerous different aromas so cultures can customize the drink with local plants and fruits.

Can Muslims Drink Coffee?

Yes, Muslims can drink coffee. In fact, coffee is an Arabian drink and is known as ‘Qahwa’ in Islamic circles.

It was once prohibited, but over time coffee became officially accepted as it helped many to continue their day during fasting, and helped them to stay awake at night during Ramadan.

Coffee even became associated with Muhammad’s birthday and is considered a halal drink as it is considered a stimulant rather than an intoxicant.

Does Everyone in the World Drink Coffee?

No, children should not and do not generally drink coffee, and some adults do not like coffee. 

However coffee is one of the most popular global drinks. As of the last year, 166.63 million 60kg bags of coffee were consumed worldwide – this is an increase from 164 million bags the previous year.

Is The Coffee the World’s Favourite Drink?

Yes, coffee is the most popular drink in the world. 400 billion cups of coffee are drunk every year and around 450 million of those cups are consumed within the United States.

However, it depends on the culture. China and India would disagree, as they drink far more tea than coffee. However, collectively, more coffee is consumed worldwide than tea, but only by a small margin.