Coffee.

Most of you are addicts, not all, most. Coffee contains the most widely used and accepted drug ever, caffeine. I am quite content with this fact though. Coffee tastes good, it brings people together, conversations about politics, sports, life, philosophy, faith, and many more are topics that are discussed over coffee, when some of them could be awkward if in a different setting. 

For me, coffee always meant more time to spend with friends/family. Whenever my parents would say, "We're just having one more cup of coffee and then we're leaving!" I knew that it would be another 30 minutes to an hour before we actually left. Coffee is the wonder drink, not beer, wine, or any alcohol. 

But who were the first to drink coffee? How long has it been grown? What has coffee meant throughout history? I'll try and answer those questions.

- When was it first discovered?

Coffee was first discovered around 800 AD in the highlands of Ethiopia. Egypt followed Ethiopia, and then to Yemen. Coffee first caught on in the Middle East, from where it spread to Italy. After Italy all of Europe. Coffee followed the Europeans in their global exploration to the Americas and to Indonesia.

- Coffee's place in History 

Coffee has held different meanings since it's discovery. It was used in religious ceremonies in Africa and Yemen, and in the 17th century, it was even considered a rebellious activity in Europe. The Ethiopian Church actually banned it's consumption. Now coffee is consumed so much, that it is the second most traded commodity (below petroleum). Coffee nowadays is what gets people out of their beds, and social instances.

I was curious on how the world's favorite drink came to be. I hope these tidbits of information will help you in your next coffee discussion. 

Best Wishes.

picture courtesy of http://oip.georgetown.edu/