Having fun flying and drinking great coffee!
The Origins of coffee
So where did all this start?
One of the stories is traced back to a goat herder named Kaldi. He observed that when his goats ate the berries from a certain tree, they became so energetic that they did not want to sleep at night. Kaldi reported his observation to the abbot of a local monastery, who then made a drink from the berries, which helped him stay alert all the way through the long hours of evening prayers.
To the Arabian Peninsula
Coffee soon made its way to the Arabian Peninsula, where it was cultivated and traded.
By the 15th century, coffee was being grown in the Yemeni district of Arabia and by the 16th century, it was known in Persia, Egypt, Syria, and Turkey. Coffee was soon enjoyed in the many public coffee houses - called qahveh khaneh.
Coffee in Europe
By the 17th century traders had brought coffee to Europe. It soon gained popularity across the continent.
When it arrived in Venice in 1615 however, it was condemned by local clergy and Pope Clement VIII was asked to intervene. He tasted the beverage himself and found it so satisfying that he gave it papal approval.