He told his discovery to a local monk, who then examined the mysterious fruits. Disappointed by the bitter taste of the berries, the monk threw them into the fire. An aromatic scent spread which caught the attention of the monks. Out of curiosity, they tried brewing the roasted fruit in hot water and were surprised that the drink helped them stay awake and focused during long periods of prayer.
This discovery continued to spread over the years. Monks began to consume the drink regularly, and coffee soon became known in other monasteries and regions. The spread of coffee as a luxury food and its importance as a stimulant could no longer be stopped. Over time, coffee moved from Ethiopia to Yemen, where it eventually became an integral part of the religious and social culture.
In the 15th century, coffee finally reached the Arabian Peninsula, particularly the cities of Mecca and Medina. The first coffee consumption developed here in the form of “qahwa” (Arabic for coffee). The coffee trade took off, and coffee bean seeds were increasingly introduced to other regions such as Persia, Syria and Egypt. In 1592, coffee finally found its way to Europe via Venice. In the 17th century, the “miracle bean” spread to the first coffee houses throughout Europe. However, Venetians insist that the first coffeehouse was Alla Venezia Trionfante.
Today, coffee is the most popular drink in the world and an integral part of everyday global life. It is drunk by millions of people worldwide - be it at home, at work or at a meeting with friends. Whether the legend of Kaldi and his goats is true or whether the first coffee house in Europe was really in Venice is and has never been important for the success of coffee. But it was significant for the Cafiosa because she became the world's only "coffee fairy" in Venice in 1592. If you would like to read more about her story, click here.
