Coffee Is Arabic: Tracing the Arabian Origins of the World's Beloved Beverage
Coffee, a beverage cherished globally, has its roots deeply embedded in the Arabian Peninsula. The journey of coffee from its Arabian origins to becoming a worldwide staple is a fascinating tale of culture, trade, and transformation. The Arabian Beginnings While coffee plants are indigenous to Ethiopia, it was in Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula where coffee was first cultivated and transformed into the beverage we recognize today. By the 15th century, Sufi monks in Yemen utilized coffee to stay awake during their nocturnal devotions. The stimulating effects of the brew made it an integral part of religious practices and daily life. The Spread to Europe European travelers and traders encountered coffee in the Ottoman Empire and the Middle East. By the 17th century, coffee had made its way to Europe, where it quickly gained popularity. Coffeehouses, known as "penny universities," emerged as hubs of intellectual exchange and social interaction. Despite initial resi...