|
|
 |
 |
COFFEE RELATED
COFFEE HISTORY
Coffee was first discovered in Eastern Africa Provence of Kaffa, today called Ethiopia. A popular legend refers to a goat herder by the name of Kaldi, who observed his goats acting unusually frisky after eating berries from a bush. Curious about this phenomenon, Kaldi tried eating the berries himself. He found that these berries gave him a renewed energy. The news of this energy laden fruit quickly spread throughout the region.
Monks hearing about this amazing fruit dried the berries so that they could be transported to distant monasteries. They reconstituted these berries in water, ate the fruit, and drank the liquid to provide stimulation for a more awakened time for prayer.
Coffee berries were transported from Ethiopia to the Arabian Peninsula, and were first cultivated in what today is the country of Yemen.
From there, coffee travelled to Turkey where coffee beans were roasted for the first time over open fires. The roasted beans were crushed, and then boiled in water, creating a crude version of the beverage we enjoy today.
Coffee first arrived on the European continent by means of Venetian trade merchants. Once in Europe this new beverage fell under harsh criticism from the Catholic Church. Many felt the pope should ban coffee, calling it the drink of the devil. To their surprise, the pope, already a coffee drinker, blessed coffee declaring it a truly Christian beverage.
Coffee houses spread quickly across Europe becoming centers for intellectual exchange. Many great minds of Europe used this beverage, and forum, as a springboard to heightened thought and creativity.
c 850
First known discovery of coffee berries. Legend of goat herder Kaldi of Ethiopia who notices goats are friskier after eating red berries of a local shrub. Experiments with the berries himself and begins to feel happier.
c 1100
The coffee first trees are cultivated on the Arabian peninsula. Coffee is first roasted and boiled by Arabs making "qahwa" --- a beverage made from plants.
1475
The worlds first coffee shop opens in Constantinople. It is followed by the establishment of two coffee houses in 1554.
c 1600
Coffee enters Europe through the port of Venice. The first coffeehouse opens in Italy in 1654.
1607
Coffee is introduced to the New World by Captain John Smith, founder of Virginia at Jamestown... It's believed that he introduced coffee to North America.
1652
The first coffeehouse opens in England. Coffeehouses are called "penny universities" (a penny is charged for admission and a cup of coffee). Edward Lloyd's coffeehouse opens in 1688. It eventually becomes Lloyd's of London, the world's best known insurance company. The word "TIPS" is coined in an English coffee house: A sign reading "To Insure Prompt Service" (TIPS) was place by a cup. Those desiring prompt service and better seating threw a coin into a tin.
1672
The opening of the first Parisian cafe dedicated to serving coffee. In 1713, King Louis XIV is presented with a coffee tree. It is believed that sugar was first used as an additive in his court.
1683
The first coffeehouse opens in Vienna. The Turks, defeated in battle, leave sacks of coffee behind.
1690
The Dutch become the first to transport and cultivate coffee commercially. Coffee is smuggled out of the Arab port of Mocha and transported to Ceylon and East Indies for cultivation.
1721
The first coffeehouse opens in Berlin.
1723
Coffee Plants are introduced in the Americas for cultivation. Gabriel de Clieu, a French naval officer, transports a seedling to Martinique. By 1777, 1920 million coffee plants are cultivated on the island.
1727
The Brazilian coffee industry gets its start from seedlings smuggled out of Paris.
1750
One of Europe's first coffeehouses, Cafe Greco, opens in Rome. By 1763, Venice has over 2,000 coffee shops.
1822
The prototype of the first espresso machine is created in France.
1885
A process of using natural gas and hot air becomes the most popular method of roasting coffee.
c 1900
Kaffeeklatsch, afternoon coffee, becomes popular in Germany.
1905
The first commercial espresso machine is manufactured in Italy.
1908
The invention of the worlds first drip coffeemaker. Melitta Bentz makes a filter using blotting paper.
1933
Dr. Ernest Illy develops the first automatic espresso machine.
1938
Nescafé instant coffee is invented by the Nestlé Company as it assists the Brazilian government in solving its coffee surplus problem.
1945
Achilles Gaggia perfects the espresso machine with a piston that creates a high pressure extraction to produce a thick layer of crema.
1991
Caffè Carissimi Canada, a network of espresso service providers is formed in Canada, modelled after a visit to Franco Carissimi (roaster and equipment manufacturer) in Bergamo Italy. It becomes the fastest growing network of private and independent super automatic machines providers in Canada.
1995
Coffee is the world's most popular beverage. More than 400 billion cups are consumed each year. It is a world commodity that is second only to oil.
|
|
