The history of coffee
• It was discovered in Ethiopia in the 9th century when shepherds noticed their sheep were more energetic after eating coffee beans
• From Ethiopia it spread to Egypt and Yemen, and by the 15th century it arrived to Persia, Turkey and North America
• It was brought to Europe, where it became popular in the 17th century
• The Dutch were the first to start the wholesale import and smuggling of coffee seeds because their export was forbidden
• The largest producer is Brazil
• It is the second most valuable commodity on the global market, right after oil
• Coffee beans are roasted and in that way they get a characteristic taste and become darker due to caramelization of sugar
• The two main species of coffee are arabica and robusta
• Arabica is older, tastes better and it is traditionally named after the port from which it is exported (Mocha from Yemen, Java from Indonesia)
• Robusta contains more caffeine and it is grown in areas where arabica can't grow, it is used as a cheaper replacement for arabica, it has a bitter and sour taste so it is always combined with arabica
