Coffee is a beloved beverage consumed by millions of people worldwide every day. However, its history goes far beyond our daily caffeine fix. Coffee has played a crucial role in shaping the world as we know it today. From its origins in Ethiopia to its spread across the world, coffee has left a significant impact on human history.

The story of coffee dates back to the 10th century in Ethiopia. According to legend, a goat herder named Kaldi noticed that his goats became more energetic after eating the red berries of a certain plant. Curious, Kaldi tried the berries himself and discovered that they had a stimulating effect. He shared this discovery with the local monks, who then began using the berries to make a drink that helped them stay awake during long prayer sessions.

Spread of Coffee

The popularity of coffee soon spread beyond Ethiopia, and by the 16th century, coffee had made its way to the Arabian Peninsula. The Arabians were the first to cultivate coffee on a large scale and began exporting it to other parts of the world. The port city of Mocha, in Yemen, became a major center of coffee trade, and the term “mocha” is still used today to describe a type of coffee.

As coffee spread across Europe in the 17th century, it became a symbol of the Enlightenment. Coffee houses became popular meeting places for intellectuals, writers, and artists who would gather to discuss politics, literature, and philosophy over a cup of coffee. These coffee houses played a crucial role in the dissemination of new ideas and helped shape the cultural landscape of Europe.

Coffee played a vital role in the Industrial Revolution, which began in the late 18th century. The caffeine in coffee helped workers stay alert during long shifts, making them more productive. Coffee also became an important commodity in the global economy, with countries like Brazil and Colombia becoming major exporters of coffee.

The 20th century saw coffee become a global phenomenon. The rise of coffee chains like Starbucks and Costa Coffee transformed the way we consume coffee, turning it into a social experience. Coffee also became a symbol of globalization, with coffee shops appearing in cities all over the world.

The Power of a Joe

Coffee’s role in history is a testament to its power to shape culture and society. From its origins in Ethiopia to its global spread, coffee has left an indelible mark on human history. Today, coffee continues to be an important part of our daily lives and remains a symbol of community and connection.

By John Toledo

The post A Cup of Time appeared first on The Coffee Class.

The South American coffee tradition is as rich as the culture of South America itself. Even though many of the countries in South America typically export more coffee than they drink, they sure do know how to make a unique coffee scene regardless. 

When in Brazil

The South American terrain consists of high mountain ranges and low humid rainforests so that they can grow a large variety of coffee beans. Two of the most prevalent and flourishing coffee beans are Arabica Beans and Robusta Beans. The largest producer of coffee beans in the world is actually located in South America! Brazil holds over 27,000 square kilometers of plantations dedicated to coffee bean growing. Sao Paulo and the areas around it typically hold the perfect climate for growing coffee beans. Brazil widely uses the dry method of growing coffee beans, unlike many other countries. This involves drying coffee cherries in the Sun instead of washing them.

The Peru Scene

To some, Peru is the “cream of the crop” when it comes to coffee, and they’d be right! The Specialty Coffee Association of America actually selected them as one of the best in the world. Peruvian coffee is known for its medium body and has an aromatic, slightly acidic taste. A lot of the exported coffee from Peru lands in the cups of American and Europe citizens.

Welcome to Ecuador

To switch it up, Ecuador is not widely known for exporting coffee as it actually imports more coffee. Unlike other South American countries, Ecuador doesn’t rely on large plantations to grow coffee beans, but more on smaller, family-run farms. Due to this, coffee in Ecuador is actually pricier than in many other countries as it is seen as more of an exclusive commodity rather than a staple or art like in many European countries and the United States.

From South America, With Love

Overall, because South America focuses on exporting coffee rather than selling it at local markets, the price of coffee in South America is actually higher compared to other regions. As an example, a cappuccino on average would cost the same as a typical two-course meal in South America. If you decide to take a visit, just make sure to savor every sip of your coffee!

Would you like to know more?

By John Toledo

The post Coffee in South America appeared first on The Coffee Class.

September 21st is Armenian Independence Day, and because of that why don’t we celebrate by taking a quick glimpse of their coffee culture? From their cups, and coffee beans, to their coffee makers, Armenia takes their coffee special.

How’d it Get There

Armenia is located in Southern Caucasus wedged between Georgia and Turkey. We even have a separate blog dedicated to coffee culture in Turkey which is just as riveting! Click here to check it out. Coffee in Armenian is called “soorj” and it’s a long-lasting tradition in the beautiful country. Coffee from Armenia as of now mostly is imported from Columbia as it does not naturally grow in Armenian soil. Coffee actually was introduced to Armenia in the 16th century by merchants coming from Ethiopia. 

Coffee in Armenia

Traditionally, coffee in Armenia is brewed using what is called a jazve. It’s a sort of tea kettle-type pot with a long handle and a spout. Armenians typically like their coffee black and rich with coffee beans. Armenian coffee is typically made with lots of sugar and ground coffee beans meaning it is very strong with a stronger aroma. It’s usually paired with a treat like Baklava. There are many different varieties of spices locals use that hail from Armenia’s neighboring countries which also share their distinct taste in coffee. 

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By John Toledo

The post From Armenia with Love appeared first on The Coffee Class.

A happy army is an effective army. Many commanders understood this reality, but what would make their soldiers happy? Having more rations? Having better clothing? Having better weapons? While having these will of course make a soldier’s day, nothing will make a soldier’s month like waking up to a cup of coffee!

Well Brewed Machine

From the American Civil War to WWI, American soldiers have always craved a cup of coffee before setting off to fight. Military officers even remarked on how the importance of having caffeine was as much as having bread.

Just Like Home

Some Union soldiers during the Civil War were even reportedly grinding up coffee beans using their rifles! These small cups of home were enough to energize the soldiers for battle and boost morale by having a small reminder of home with them. Imagine being thousands of miles away from your kitchen and bedroom in a warzone for months on end. With soldiers losing morale on both sides of the conflict, small routine gestures like brewing coffee certainly assisted in maintaining the resolve of the Union army. Such coffee stories happen in today’s United States military as well. Military charities exist that work on delivering coffee to soldiers stationed in combat zones. If you are planning on leading your own army, you might want to invest in some coffee. Luckily for you, we have plenty to choose from right on our menu here!

Would you like to know more?

By John Toledo

The post Coffee, What is it Good For appeared first on The Coffee Class.

“How exactly did this magical brew arrive in my mug?”

First we need to talk about where coffee was originally discovered! 

Scientific name, Coffea Arabica, is a species of coffee that originated on the continent of Africa, and more specifically in regions of Ethiopia. Through trade with other countries, this species spread to parts of the Middle East, and then continued to expand from there. Though it is hard to determine who, and when exactly coffee was discovered, a common anecdote insists that farmers in Ethiopia observed their goats eating the fruit of the coffee plant. 

Aside: Yes, coffee is indeed a fruit! What we call a coffee bean, is in fact one of two seeds found in each coffee “cherry”. 

The farmers noticed that the goats were very energetic and nearly dancing after eating the coffee cherries. Seeing this reaction, the farmers were naturally curious. They decided to try it for themselves, and BOOM, coffee was discovered!

Arabica coffee now grows commonly on every continent except for Europe, Australia, and Antarctica. Although the coffee plant is wide-spread, it is a species that demands certain conditions for the best yield. Arabica coffee prefers to grow in regions that are nearest to the equator. These areas create an ideal climate for growing coffee, and form what is known as The Coffee Belt. 

Along The Coffee Belt, Arabica Coffee grows best at higher altitudes, and appreciates an adequate amount of shade. While some land is naturally equipped to grow coffee, farmers may also choose to grow other types of trees in between the plots of coffee plants to help provide the shade. These farms are the backbone of the coffee industry, and without their hard work, coffee culture could not exist. 

From seed to harvest, a coffee plant takes about 3 years to mature. Because of this wait, coffee farms are most often kept within a family, and passed down over the years. Upon harvest, the coffee fruit must be processed and dried over a period of time decided by the producer (typically to a moisture content of less than 15%). This is another labor intensive task that must occur before those beans ever see the light of another country. Machinery can help in this process, but many farms cannot afford the equipment; by consequence they often use less advanced tools to get the job done. Once the coffee is dried, we have a product that is known as “green coffee”.  Be sure to join us for our next blog post to detail the next stop in the coffee bean’s journey to your favorite mug!

The Coffee Class is proud to present you with a new single origin coffee available for pour-over: Nicaragua Carlos Ferrey Honey. 

This is a coffee that you can feel good about knowing where it comes from, and even the name places recognition of the farmer that produced it; Carlos Ferrey. 

Carlos’ farm is an example of a small producer with attention to detail. The coffee is 100% hand picked and sorted. With tasting notes of Black Tea and English Toffee, this cup is perfect for someone who prefers a darker flavor profile, and low acidity. See you soon!

The post Where Does Coffee Come From? appeared first on The Coffee Class.