Coffee was discovered more than 1200 years ago by a Muslim named Khalid who used to graze his goats on the slopes of Ethiopia. Khalid observed that his goats became more lively and energetic after eating a particular kind of berry. Instead of just eating the berries in their raw form they were boiled to create Qahwa.
Popularity of Coffee in Muslim World
Before the discovery of coffee the hardworking people and Sufis of Yemen who used to stay awake for the purpose of worship of Allah till late nights drank Qahwa. Popularity of coffee spread to rest of the Muslim world through travellers, pilgrims and traders and reached Mecca and Turkey in the late 15th century and Cairo in the 16th century.
Coffee comes to Europe
The first coffee house in Europe started in Venice in 1645, when coffee was brought to Europe through trade with North Africa and Egypt. In United Kingdom coffee was brought by a Turkish merchant named Pasqua Rosee in 1650 and sold it in a coffee house in Georgeyard, Lombard Street, London. A cafe named ‘Sultaness Head’ opened in Cornhill 8 years later.
Lloyds Coffee House was established in London during the late 17th century and was a meeting place for merchants and ship-owners. This coffee house later transformed itself into an insurance company.
By the end of 17th century there were already about 500 coffee houses in London, and almost 3000 in the whole England. These coffee houses were known as ‘penny universities’ because one could listen and talk with the great intellectuals there just by purchasing a cup of coffee for a penny.