![\"Goat\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavitadolcecafe.com\/staging\/6170\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/goat_Fotor.jpg?resize=200%2C225\")
ry of that rejuvenating elixir of life you drink every morning (and afternoon, and night for some of us) begins in Ethiopia, where coffee originated. And you can thank the goats.<\/p>\nIn honor of National Coffee Day, I’ve put together a very brief history of coffee. Note that this post\u00a0absolutely gives undue weight-in-word-count to the more entertaining aspects of our favorite drink’s past.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0history of that rejuvenating elixir of life you drink every morning (and afternoon, and night for some of us) begins in Ethiopia, where coffee originated. And you can thank the goats.<\/p>\n
According to legend, a\u00a0goat herder named Kaldi noticed that when his goats\u00a0ate the berries from the Coffea plant, they seemed to have\u00a0an extra pep in their step. Kaldi tried the berries himself and experienced\u00a0the same boost. Excited, Kaldi\u00a0took the berries to a neighboring Islamic monastery.\u00a0The monks did not share Kaldi’s enthusiasm and threw the berries into the fire. The coffee beans, now roasted, were salvaged from the fire, and the world had its first cup of coffee.<\/p>\n
Or maybe it was the birds. Another legend tells of a Yemenite Sufi mystic who, while on a trip to Ethiopia, noticed that the birds eating\u00a0Coffea plant berries were a bit chirpier than their peers. The mystic tried the berries himself, and discovered the wonders of coffee.<\/p>\n
What we\u00a0know for sure is that by the 15th century, people knew about coffee, which had made its way from Ethiopia to Sufi monasteries in Yemen. By the next century, Persia, Egypt, Turkey and Syria were all caffeinating, and coffee houses were established.<\/p>\n
From the beginning, coffee houses were community hubs — places to\u00a0gather and socialize\u00a0over cups of brew. Information was exchanged, stories were told, and\u00a0connections were made.\u00a0There was\u00a0news, music, and politics.<\/p>\n
And hopscotch. Obviously.<\/p>\n
Jean Chardin, a French traveler to Persia in the 17th century, reportedly described the coffee house scene this way<\/a>:<\/p>\n People engage in conversation, for it is there that news is communicated and where those interested in politics criticize the government in all freedom and without being fearful, since the government does not heed what the people say. Innocent games… resembling checkers, hopscotch, and chess, are played. In addition, mollas, dervishes, and poets take turns telling stories in verse or in prose…\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n By the 17th century, coffee was being served in Europe, and coffee houses had become popular in countries\u00a0across the West.<\/p>\n It wasn’t all happy brewing, though. Various religious organizations\u00a0and governments questioned, and even banned coffee. Such bans were often relatively\u00a0short-lived, at times\u00a0because religious and political leaders themselves wanted to enjoy their brew.<\/p>\n When coffee came to Italy in the 17th century, local clergy were skeptical and some wanted to prohibit its consumption. To resolve the matter, they turned to the pope. Pope Clement VIII’s response after tasting coffee?<\/p>\n Two thumbs up.<\/p>\n Coffee made its way to the Americas, but initially took a back seat to tea. Then there was that tax and that party, and tea was no longer the beverage of choice for\u00a0good, patriotic Americans.<\/p>\n![\"Coffee](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavitadolcecafe.com\/staging\/6170\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Lloyds-coffee-house-london-by-william-holland_Fotor.jpg?resize=300%2C225\")
Ask the Pope<\/h2>\n
Toss the Tea, Give Me the Beans<\/h2>\n
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![\"Coffee](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavitadolcecafe.com\/staging\/6170\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/coffee-beans_Fotor.jpg?resize=300%2C200\")
Today, over