Coffee was first discovered in the Highlands of Ethiopia during the eleventh century.

Goatherds noticed that once their flocks had eaten the berries of certain trees they were filled with energy and vitality. Upon trying the beans themselves, they found the same was true in humans and coffee was born! Around this time, the Arab world was expanding its trade routes into northern and eastern Africa. It was one of these traders who discovered the beans in Ethiopia and brought them back to the Middle East, where their popularity grew almost immediately.

Through their extensive trade with the Middle East, Italy was exposed to coffee in the 16th century. Again the drink achieved instant popularity and the first coffee house in Europe was opened in Italy in 1645. From Italy, coffee spread rapidly throughout Europe and it was available in most nations before the end of the century. French colonists first introduced coffee to the Americans during the late 16th century and many of these island plantations still exist today. In 1727 Lt. Col Francisco de Melo Palheta smuggled beans from French Guiana into Brazil and started the first plantation in that country.

Today Brazil is the largest coffee producer in the world. By the end of the 18th century, coffee was grown in almost all regions of the world, becoming the major economic crop of many countries. Today the world consumes over 500 billion cups of coffee every year and coffee is one of the most valuable trade commodities on earth.