Coffee History

Coffee's origin is somewhat of a mystery. One legend traces the discovery back to the 3rd century. Another says that coffee was really discovered by a group of goats and a goat herder. No matter who discovered it, coffee dates back to around 900 A.D.

Everyone is pretty much in agreement that the coffee tree is indigenous to Ethiopia. From there it spread to Arabia, and then to the Far East and South and Central America. Coffee was introduced into Turkey in 1554; Venice in 1615; France in 1644; England and Vienna in 1650 and North America in 1668.* It was first a food, then a wine,a medicine, and finally a beverage.

European coffee houses attracted patrons with more than hot beverages.
The establishments often offered services such as a reading room, musical performances, billiards, and letter writing materials. In Paris, one cafe had a separate room reserved for fighting duels; another hosted the premiere of the world's first motion picture. Even the word "tip" can be traced to coffee houses where patrons wanting good service would place coins in a box that carried the words "To Insure Promptness". In 1732, Johann Sebastian Bach lauded coffee as “The most precious of bliss’s” in his piece entitled "Coffee Cantata".

Coffee became big in the United States in 1773, when King George put a tax on tea. The colonists responded to this tax with The Boston Tea Party and a strong turn to coffee. The roasting of coffee beans began in the 13th century, and drinking coffee for breakfast dates back to the late 1600's. Here in the U.S. 51% of all coffee is still consumed at breakfast.

Over 50 countries grow more than 8 billion pounds of coffee each year. Today, coffee ranks second only to oil as the largest commodity in international commerce with an approximate value of over $10 billion a year; the industry provides more than 20 million jobs.

* 1984 Tea & Coffee Trade Journal Company, Whitestone, N.Y.

ORIGIN COFFEE

The subtleties of coffee vary by the origin of the beans. The rain, temperature, and soil all effect how that coffee is going to taste. Origin coffees come from that specific geographic region of the world.

A LIST OF OUR ORIGIN COFFEES.

100% KONA COFFEE
A well balanced, low acidity, full bodied coffee from Hawaii. This is 100% Kona, with a slightly darker roast than our regular coffee.

ETHIOPIAN
A Bold complex coffee, full bodied, sharp, with a somewhat winey flavor.

KENYA AA
From Africa, this coffee is high grown, rich, brisk bodied, good flavor, slightly sweet aroma.

SUMATRA
From Indonesia, rich full bodied, full flavored, low in acidity with a slightly earthy taste.

PANAMA
A very good full bodied coffee, some say it tastes better than Colombian.

MEXICAN
High grown, mild, 100% arabica beans. Smooth, with light acidity, perfect for breakfast or any time.

GUATEMALAN
Medium to full body taste, balanced with acidity, a nice clean finish with no after taste.

COLOMBIAN
High grown, pleasant acidity, medium body, slight nut taste.