How humanity got hooked on coffee - Jonathan Morris
TED-Ed
5 min, 35 sec
The video traces the history of coffee from its discovery to its global significance, including cultural, social, and economic impacts.
Summary
- The legend of Kaldi suggests coffee was discovered around 850 CE in Ethiopia, with people consuming it by the 1400s.
- Coffee spread to the Middle East by the 1450s, with coffeehouses emerging in the Ottoman Empire and later in Europe.
- By the 1700s, European empires exploited labor in colonies for coffee production, leading to the displacement of indigenous populations.
- The 20th century saw technological advancements like the espresso machine and the rise of specialty coffees, though ethical issues persist.
- Climate change threatens the future of coffee, prompting research into resilient hybrids to safeguard the beverage.
Chapter 1
The discovery of coffee's effects by a goatherd named Kaldi in Ethiopia and the early uses of coffee by people.
- Kaldi noticed his goats became hyper after eating berries, which led to the discovery of coffee around 850 CE.
- People in Ethiopia foraged for wild coffee, made tea from its leaves, and created snacks and elixirs from its berries.
Chapter 2
Coffee's spread to the Middle East and the establishment of coffeehouses.
- Coffee reached the Middle East via trade routes and gained popularity in the 1450s.
- Sufi worshippers in Yemen and people within the Ottoman Empire enjoyed coffee, leading to the creation of coffeehouses.
Chapter 3
Coffee faced scrutiny but continued to expand globally, with coffeehouses becoming cultural centers.
- Coffee was put on trial in Mecca in 1511 but was deemed permissible, leading to the spread of coffeehouses.
- Yemen began farming coffee and exporting it from Al-Makha, while coffee spread to India, Java, and Europe.
Chapter 4
Coffeehouses in Europe became hubs of social and intellectual activity, and coffee cultivation spread through colonies.
- London's first coffeehouses opened in the 1650s, becoming social and intellectual hotbeds.
- European empires started coffee-growing in colonies with enslaved or exploited workers.
Chapter 5
Technological advancements in coffee production and the continued exploitation of coffee workers.
- Brazil dominated coffee exports by 1906, and the first commercial espresso machine was showcased at the Milan World's Fair.
- Despite the popularity of coffee breaks in factories, coffee workers faced inhumane conditions and insufficient compensation.
Chapter 6
Efforts to address ethical issues in coffee production and the threats posed by climate change.
- Certification efforts aim to ensure ethical standards in coffee production, including minimum wage and sustainable farming.
- Climate change threatens the coffee-producing 'Bean Belt', leading to research on resilient coffee hybrids.
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