There are many legends about the discovery of coffee's stimulating effects. One of the oldest tells of a young goatherd in Ethiopia in around 850 AD. He had noticed that after eating a certain kind of berry, his goats would become particularly lively. Monks then tried the fruit but were so disappointed by the bitter flavour that they threw it in the fire. Soon, a delicious aroma was wafting around their nostrils. The monks were so curious that they used the roasted fruits to create a brew, which they saw as a gift from God because it helped them to stay awake half the night.

In the early 20th century, Brazil was the world’s biggest coffee producer. Today almost the entire production of coffee comes from Central America, Brazil and the tropical parts of South America. Global coffee production has reached around 150 million sacks a year with Brazil, the leading producer, producing more than 1/3 of the total.

In 1615, Venetian merchants brought back the first sacks of coffee to western Europe. Its delicious aroma and invigorating effects rapidly established it as a favourite beverage, and coffee houses were soon springing up throughout Europe. Their minds never far from business, the bourgeoisie were soon singing the praises of coffee's sobering effects, which turned drunkards into reliable workers. Dutch and English seafarers exported the plant to their colonies all over the world.

In the early 20th century, Brazil was the world’s biggest coffee producer. Today almost the entire production of coffee comes from Central America, Brazil and the tropical parts of South America. Global coffee production has reached around 150 million sacks a year with Brazil, the leading producer, producing more than 1/3 of the total.

In 1615, Venetian merchants brought back the first sacks of coffee to western Europe. Its delicious aroma and invigorating effects rapidly established it as a favourite beverage, and coffee houses were soon springing up throughout Europe. Their minds never far from business, the bourgeoisie were soon singing the praises of coffee's sobering effects, which turned drunkards into reliable workers. Dutch and English seafarers exported the plant to their colonies all over the world.

The culture of coffee-drinking goes back to the 11th century. It was then that coffee was first imported to Arabia from its original home in Ethiopia. The Persians were enraptured by the invigorating effects of this new "wine of Islam" because real wine was strictly forbidden to Muslims. The word "coffee" comes from the ancient Arabic "qahwah".