The Diary Game 26/06/2020 - Conversations with a Barista PART 1

Earlier today I had a conversation with a regular customer. We talked about where coffee came from and how it evolved into the beverage of choice for millions of people around the globe today. Most of us know where most of the coffee we consume daily come from. However, have you ever wondered where it originated and how it came to be?

Although there is a debate on where the first coffee plant was cultivated. Actually it depends on who you ask. Their answer may vary between Ethiopia or Yemen. Whichever the case maybe it is pretty much widely accepted that Islamic tribes in the Middle East and some parts of Northern Africa started trading. Then they continued to consuming coffee between the 15th and 16th centuries.

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It wasn't until the 17th century when European travelers discovered coffee during their travels in the east. They brought coffee and stories of the dark bitter beverage. Some rumors spread that it was the invention of Satan. It wasn't until Pope Clement Vlll gave coffee a papal approval after trying the coffee for himself. The popularity of coffee continued to grow. Unsurprisingly it soon became the beverage of choice all over Europe and arguably still is to this day.

Ironically, prior to coffee being a beverage everyone loves today with all the controversy and rumors of coffee being a bitter evil beverage from an alien place. The most commonly used method for brewing coffee both come from Europe. The full-bodied and bitter espresso-based coffee from Italy. Then the more complex and rich filtered coffee from Germany.