Arabica's African ancestry
Genomes point to a natural hybrid origin long before coffee cultivation.
Density
Plants, trade and shared cupsOur World
Coffee
Follow coffee from African botanical ancestry through cultivation, coffeehouses, plantations, machines and living traditions.
Subject guide · scope, chapters & sources ↗A selective history of plants, cultivation, labour, technology and culture. Genetic origin estimates are uncertain; Kaldi is a legend, and the first human use is undated. Modern research is bounded to the 2021 study discussed here, not a complete account through 2026.
Official Earth time scaleSelect an eon on the road to reveal its eras.ICS 2026/06 ↗
Cultivation takes root in Yemen
Yemen becomes a key early centre of Arabica cultivation and later maritime distribution.
Coffeehouses in Istanbul
Coffee becomes part of Ottoman urban social life.
London's first coffee seller
Pasqua Rosée's establishment marks an early London coffeehouse milestone.
A plantation crop across oceans
Colonial cultivation connects Asian and Atlantic growing regions with European demand.
Brazil abolishes slavery
A major coffee-growing society ends slavery's legal basis.
Pressure changes coffee preparation
Bezzera's patented machines mark a stage in espresso technology.
Governments negotiate coffee trade
The first International Coffee Agreement seeks to stabilize an unstable market.
Coffee culture becomes recognized heritage
UNESCO recognizes Turkish coffee's preparation and communal traditions.
Wild diversity offers new possibilities
Research on Coffea stenophylla links warmer growing conditions with promising flavour.