A Dark Mystery

Arguably one of the most ubiquitous beverages in the world, Coffee is arguably a cornerstone to the lives of millions of people, from farmers all the way to consumers. Coffee has such a place in the cultural heritage of so many, that even people who don't drink it will often speak fondly of the aroma while it's brewing or refer to taking a "coffee break" from an activity.

But how did such a humble shrub become one of the world's largest agricultural powerhouses? What magic does a tiny bean contain that can lead to true international trade?

The history of coffee is generally traced back to Ethiopia in 850 AD. A goat-herd named Kaldi once found his flock munching on a bush with red berries, after which they behaved with an unusual amount of energy. Perplexed, Kaldi decided to sample the berries himself and experienced the world's first case of "coffee jitters." Shocked by his discovery Kaldi took some of the berries to a local elder, who roasted the berries over a fire and added them to boiling water, creating the world's first "cuppa Joe."

Whether or not there is any truth to the "Myth of Kaldi" is a matter of speculation. What is known, on the other hand, is that coffee beans were traded and passed through Sudan into Yemen's port of Mocha around 1400-1500, where it spread throughout the Arab world. Given the Koran's prohibition on Muslims consuming alcohol, coffee became a beverage at social gatherings, a trait that it still holds as true today as it did during the 16th century. By the mid-1500's, three coffee shops had opened in Constantinople. By 1650, coffee had fund it's way into Venice where Europe's first cafe' was opened in 1654.

As Europe began exploring and colonizing the "New World," coffee invariably followed. From it's mythical origins to today, coffee has lost none of it's power. According to the United Nation's Food and Agricultural Organization, global coffee output should reach seven tons by the end of 2010, with an estimated 6.9 tons consumed in the year. As of 2008, the countries consuming the most coffee per day per year are Finland, Norway, and Iceland (The United States ranks number 26 of 181 in terms of daily consumption per year.)

While the history and current usage of coffee does shed some light, the question still remains: Why is coffee popular? At a glance, it can be hard to fathom how a dark, oily fluid, served piping hot, and known for it's bitter, acidic flavor could have crossed so many cultural borders. The obvious answer would be caffeine. But this idea falls apart when the the wide-spread popularity of tea is figured into the equation.

Perhaps the historical connotation of the educated and intellectual class being fond of coffee explains it. In England, coffee shops were historically referred to as "Penny Universities," since a potential patron only needed to pay a small charge at the door to cover the beverage cost, thereby allowing them to take part in animated discussions or impromptu lectures. However, there is an equally strong modern connotation of coffee being the a blue-collar beverage, symbolized by the seemingly omnipresent thermal-sealed containers of strong black coffee in factories and job sites.

In most major cities, one can find at least one coffee shop with very little effort. Most major grocery chains now have at least half an aisle devoted to coffee and related items. While the reasons for coffee's popularity may be intangible, it is nearly guaranteed that the thirst for it will never pass.