The History of Coffee
Second only to oil, coffee is the most valuable legally traded commodity in the world. We love it, we rely on it, and we drink it in massive quantities. It is estimated that 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed each day worldwide. New Yorkers are said to drink 7 times the amount of any other U.S. city. Coffee is a daily ritual in the lives of millions of humans around the globe.
Coffee’s beginnings are enveloped in mystery and lore. There is a popular Ethiopian legend wherein coffee is discovered by a goat herder named Kaldi, who found his goats frolicking and full of energy after eating the red fruit of the coffee shrub. Kaldi tried the fruit for himself and had a similar reaction. After witnessing their strange behavior, a monk took some of the fruit back to his fellow monks; they too spent the night awake and alert. Of course, they would have been reacting to coffee’s high dose of caffeine.
The Most Popular Coffees
Take a look at some of the most popular types of coffee in the world that people enjoy everyday.
Espresso
Espresso originated from Italy. It became popular in 1950’s. Espresso is made from brewing beans of coffee, it’s particularly famous for its Italian diaspora. Espresso is probably the most popular type of coffee.
Mazagran
Mazagran is actually cold coffee that originated from Algeria. It is said to be originated in 1840’s war. Mazagran is poured over ice and in some versions, rum is also added to the mix.
Eiscaffee
This is actually cold coffee. It originated in Germany, where it was made by mixing coffee and ice cream together. Different countries have their own versions of cold coffee.
Macchiato
Macchiato is known to have originated in Italy. The word ‘macchiato’ means spotted, the name differentiated between espresso and coffee with a drop of milk.
Cappuccino
Cappuccino originates from Italy and it means hood. It got popular in mid-1990’s. The Traditional way to make it is to pour Steamed milk on espresso. The texture and temperature of milk are really important. The thick foam the mixture creates gives it a velvety texture.
Turkish
As the name indicates Turkish coffee originates from Turkey. It’s basically unfiltered coffee. It’s also called as ‘Bosnian coffee’, Turkish coffee is a big part of their traditional wedding customs. Turkish coffee is also used as fortune telling.
Americano
Americano is known to have originated from Latin America in 1970’s. It consists of a single or double shot of brewed espresso and water.
Irish Coffee
As the name indicates it was originated in Ireland in 1942. It’s basically a cocktail consisting of Irish whiskey, hot coffee, and sugar. The original recipe also has cream, which is not whipped but drinks made with whipped cream is also known as Irish coffee.
Frappe
Frappe originated from Greece in the 19th century. Its greek version was made in 1957. It’s very popular in cafés of Greece. Frappe is a French word and it means ‘to strike’ but in case of Frappe the drink it means chilled.
Black Eye
In every region a there is a different name for this coffee. It is actually a cup of coffee with a shot of espresso.
Yuan-Yang Coffee
This particular type of coffee originated from Hong Kong. It’s a mixture of coffee and tea. This drink is very popular in China and Hong Kong.
Flat White
Both Australia and New Zealand claim that this particular type of coffee has been originated in their continent. It’s known to be invented in 1990’s. Its base is espresso and Flat white coffee is similar to café au lait and latte.
Caffé Mocha
Its origin is Italy and it’s a drink based on espresso with hot milk and added chocolate. It’s also known as hot chocolate. In other variants, white chocolate or cocoa powder is also used.
Affogato
It’s originated from Italy and it is a kind of desert. A vanilla scoop topped with hot espresso and viola, you have an Affogato.
Breve
Breve is actually the American version of a latte. It is made by mixing half and half milk and cream with espresso
Café Au lait
Café Au Lait’s place of origin is France. It is a mixture of coffee and hot milk. In its different variations, steamed milk or scalded milk is used. If you want to make it at home, you can use heated milk and dark coffee.
That First Cup of Coffee...
Your first cup of coffee is always better a little later. The best time to drink coffee? Between 9:30 and 11:30 in the morning.
“ I love it when the coffee kicks in and I realize what an adorable badass I'm going to be today. ”
Famous Coffee Drinkers Throughout History
“Why, this Satan’s drink is so delicious it would be a pity to let the infidels have exclusive use of it. We shall fool Satan by baptizing it and making it a truly Christian beverage.” — Pope Clement VII, papacy from 1592-1605
World Coffee Events
World Coffee Events (WCE) is the premier producer of events for the coffee community Worldwide. Our mission is to develop events that engage the specialty coffee community and promote coffee excellence.
WORLD BARISTA CHAMPIONSHIP
The World Barista Championship is the preeminent international coffee competition produced annually by World Coffee Events (WCE).
WORLD LATTE ART CHAMPIONSHIP
The World Latte Art Championship highlights artistic expression in a competition platform that challenges the barista in an on-demand performance.
WORLD CUP TASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP
The World Cup Tasters Championship awards the professional cupper who demonstrates speed, skill, and accuracy in the taste differences in coffees.
WORLD COFFEE ROASTING CHAMP'SHIP
This event debuted 2013 in Nice, France. In this 3-stage event, competitors are evaluated on the ultimate cup quality of coffees roasted.
WORLD BREWERS CUP CHAMPIONSHIP
The World Brewers Cup competition highlights the craft of filter coffee brewing by hand, promoting manual coffee brewing and service excellence.
WORLD COFFEE IN GOOD SPIRITS CHAMPIONSHIP
The World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship promotes innovative beverage recipes that showcase coffee and spirits in a competition format.