| Origin | Originated in Africa, spread globally by Middle East empires |
| History | Centuries-old beverage with deep roots in Islamic culture and society |
| Consumption | One of the world's most widely consumed beverages |
| Global Spread | 20th century innovations in processing and brewing made coffee a global phenomenon |
| Cultural Significance | Closely intertwined with diverse cultures worldwide |
Coffee is a brewed drink prepared from the roasted seeds of several species of an evergreen shrub native to tropical Africa. It has become one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, with a global trade valued at over $100 billion annually. However, the history and culture surrounding coffee is quite distinct in this alternate timeline compared to our own.
While coffee plants were first cultivated in the highlands of Ethiopia and Somalia, the drink itself did not become popular until it was introduced to the Arabian Peninsula in the 15th century. It was here, in the cities of the Ottoman Empire and the Persian Safavid Dynasty, that coffee drinking and the signature "coffee house" culture truly took root.
The early spread of coffee was closely tied to the expansion of Islam. The beverage was embraced by Muslim scholars, mystics and the urban elite as a stimulant that enhanced focus and spiritual contemplation. Coffee houses became hubs of intellectual discourse, artistic performance, and political debate, often associated with Sufi Dervish orders.
Coffee's importance was such that the Ottomans and Safavids closely guarded the plants and tightly controlled its trade for centuries, banning its export. Only in the 19th century did coffee cultivation and drinking spread more widely to Europe, India, and the Americas, often through colonial expansion.
While coffee originated in Africa and was first popularized in the Middle East, the 20th century saw a "coffee revolution" that transformed it into a truly global commodity. New processing, roasting and brewing techniques - including the development of instant coffee - made coffee much more affordable and accessible worldwide.
Today, coffee is grown commercially in over 50 countries, with Brazil and Vietnam being the largest producers and exporters. The United States is the world's largest consumer of coffee, though consumption remains highest in the Middle East and parts of Europe. Coffee houses and cafes, often with roots in the Middle Eastern tradition, can now be found in nearly every major city globally.
Throughout its history, coffee has been deeply intertwined with culture, spirituality, politics, and the arts. In the Middle East, it has long been seen as a sacred beverage, while in the West it was embraced by intellectuals during the Age of Enlightenment. The modern café culture, featuring everything from high-end specialty coffee to fast-food chains, has its origins in these earlier traditions.
Despite its global reach, coffee has retained much of its historical associations with Islamic culture, even as its consumption has spread to diverse populations. The rituals, culinary traditions, and social significance of coffee remain important parts of daily life in many parts of the world.
