The word ‘coffee’ is derived from the Arabic, Gahwa. This small evergreen tree that is easily cultivated in humid, tropical climates. The Arabica species, which produces the best coffee, is indigenous to Ethiopia and across the Red Sea in Yemen, in early times, and has been cultivated in the mountains there for ages. Arabica is usually grown as a shrub. It bears fruit about 3 – 5 years, with one crop per year. However, it can be harvested 2 – 3 times per year, usually for 50-60 years.

Coffee beans were originally chewed, until it was discovered that they could be ground and boiled in water to make a drink. It is believed that there were coffee plantations in the Yemen, by the 15th century (G). By the end of the 15th century traders and pilgrims had taken coffee to Makkah, and ultimately to all parts of the Muslim world.

Arabs had managed to maintain control of their exclusive trade in coffee for a long time. However, in 1690, the Dutch successfully planted seedlings in Java and plantations were quickly established in the Dutch eastern colonies. In around 1715, A French officer introduced the first coffee plant to Martinique. This tree became the source of all the coffee plantations in the ‘New World’.

Coffee soon spread to Guyana, Surinam, the Caribbean islands, as well as Central & South America. Eventually, Portuguese settlers established huge plantations in Brazil. Today, Brazil, Colombia and the Ivory Coast are foremost among around 50 countries that provide the huge amount of coffee, which we all enjoy every year.