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Coffee, a beverage consumed daily by millions of people around the world, has a fascinating history that goes back several centuries. Originally from the Kaffa region in Ethiopia, coffee was first consumed as chewed berries to gain energy. According to legend, a shepherd named Kaldi discovered the stimulating effects of coffee when he noticed his goats became particularly energetic after consuming certain red berries. The domestication of coffee began in Ethiopia, and the beverage gradually gained popularity. However, it was in Yemen that coffee seems to have been cultivated on a large scale for the first time, probably in the 15th century. With the development of local irrigation systems and agricultural techniques, coffee cultivation improved, enabling the trade of this precious commodity to flourish. The first Arab traders played a crucial role in transporting coffee from Yemen across the Arabian Peninsula and even introduced the beverage to Mecca, where it became popular among pilgrims. The souks and markets of Arabia were the first centers of coffee trade, from which it spread to urban centers in the Middle East and the Ottoman Empire. This initial phase of coffee trade allowed the beverage to leave its birthplace and gain new markets and enthusiastic consumers.
The Ottoman Empire played a pivotal role in the global expansion of coffee, becoming a hub for the trade and culture of this beverage. Indeed, it was probably in the early 16th century that coffee reached Istanbul, then Constantinople, and began to integrate deeply into Ottoman culture. Coffee houses, or ‘kahvehane,’ quickly became social and intellectual gathering places, welcoming poets, writers, and philosophers. The trade routes of the Ottoman Empire were particularly well developed, connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa. Caravans crossing the desert and ships navigating the Red Sea and Mediterranean transported sacks of coffee to distant destinations. Coffee produced in Arabia was mainly transported via the port of Mocha in Yemen, from where it was exported to Egypt and then distributed throughout the Empire. One of the most crucial routes passed through the Balkans, reaching cities like Vienna, which became another major dissemination point in Europe. Austria, in particular, after its famous victory against the Ottomans at the Siege of Vienna in 1683, is said to have acquired significant stocks of coffee, thus inaugurating a new era of coffee culture in Central Europe with the creation of public cafes. Ottoman influence is also visible in the traditions and methods of preparing the beverage. For example, the famous Turkish coffee, with its specific grinding methods and preparation style in cezves, has fascinated coffee consumers worldwide. Even today, these traditions endure not only in Turkey but also in other regions formerly under Ottoman rule, attesting to the deep integration of coffee into local cultures.
With the onset of the colonial era, European powers played a transformative role in the coffee trade, establishing new plantations in their colonies with favorable climatic conditions. The Dutch were among the first to venture into this industry, setting up plantations in Java (Indonesia) in the late 17th century. This initial success led to the rapid expansion of coffee cultivation in Southeast Asia, cementing Java as a key region for the colonial coffee trade. The French also capitalized on their colonies, notably developing significant plantations in Martinique and Haiti in the early 18th century. Haiti even became the world’s leading coffee producer until the end of the 18th century, before losing this position following the Haitian Revolution. Coffee production then diversified in Latin America, where the Spanish and Portuguese planted coffee trees in Brazil and Colombia. Brazil deserves a special mention, as it became the largest coffee producer in the world by the mid-19th century, thanks to its vast lands suited for cultivation and massive infrastructure investments. Maritime routes from Brazil passing through key ports like Rio de Janeiro and Santos supplied global markets, notably the United States and Europe. The triangular trade also had a profound impact on coffee trade routes. Ships carrying coffee from the colonies to the metropolises often returned with manufactured goods and slaves to work on the plantations, a dark chapter in the history of the coffee trade.
Today, coffee trade is an economic pillar for several producing countries, mainly located in the tropical belt around the Equator. Brazil continues to dominate world production, closely followed by countries like Vietnam, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Indonesia. Vietnam is a particularly interesting case. After the devastation caused by wars in the 20th century, the country invested significantly in the cultivation of robusta coffee, quickly becoming the second-largest producer in the world. This development was accompanied by the creation of modern infrastructure and efficient trade routes linking rural areas to ports like Ho Chi Minh City. Colombia, with its mountains and favorable climate, is another major powerhouse of coffee production, notably for high-quality arabica. The National Federation of Coffee Growers, founded in 1927, has played a crucial role in promoting and marketing Colombian coffee on the international stage. Thanks to a well-developed network of roads and railways, Colombian coffee quickly transits to Caribbean ports, notably Cartagena and Santa Marta. Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, remains a key producer, particularly for specialty coffees. The regions of Sidamo, Harrar, and Yirgacheffe are celebrated for their unique coffees with distinct flavor profiles. Yet, logistical challenges remain numerous, as many trade routes pass through difficult-to-access rural areas.
The modern era has seen significant transformations in the way coffee is marketed thanks to technological advances and the advent of e-commerce. These innovations have improved the efficiency of existing trade routes while creating very promising new ones. Coffee logistics and supply chains have evolved significantly due to technologies such as GPS tracking, IoT sensors, and supply chain management systems. These advances allow precise tracking of goods from plantations to points of sale, thus reducing loss and optimizing delivery. This is particularly crucial for transporting coffee, which must often travel long distances while maintaining its freshness and quality. At the same time, e-commerce has revolutionized how coffee is sold and distributed. Platforms like Amazon, Alibaba, and specialized sites now allow coffee producers to sell directly to consumers, without traditional intermediaries. This not only reduces costs but also enables increased traceability and transparency, which are increasingly demanded by consumers concerned about the ethics of their consumption. The development of mobile applications and online platforms for managing supply and demand also allows producers to negotiate better sales conditions and have direct access to real-time market information. This is particularly beneficial for small producers in developing countries, who can thus access global markets without the need for heavy infrastructure investments. Finally, the rise of online shops and coffee subscriptions allows enthusiasts of this beverage to discover rare and exotic varieties, enriching their caffeine experience without leaving home. Fast delivery services and personalized options offer unprecedented flexibility, making coffee trade more dynamic and diverse than ever before. Thus, the journey of coffee, from its humble beginnings in Ethiopia to becoming a global commodity, is a story of innovation, adaptation, and resilience. Trade routes have evolved, but the passion for coffee remains unchanged, continuously renewed by millions of consumers and producers around the globe.