If you simply can’t live without your morning cup of coffee, then consider yourself amongst the millions of people around the world who rely on their caffeine fix first thing upon waking to give them the get-up-and-go they need to get moving and get on and win the day.
According to the experts at Convergentcoffee, the history of this much-loved drink goes back centuries, and it has gone through quite the journey. Whilst there’s no denying it has become a daily staple for many, today, its allure goes far beyond that, and it is now considered a luxury – seen not just as a symbol of opulence and refinement, but an experience to be savoured, too.
From simple and unfussy to meticulously made artisan brew, here, we take a look at the evolution of coffee over the years and find out just why it has become so entwined with the luxury lifestyle we know and love to live.
From humble beginnings
Legend has it that coffee was first discovered all the way back in the 19th century by a young goat herder in Ethiopia. Kaldi, as he was named, noticed that his goats had become uncharacteristically energetic after eating the red berries of one particular type of tree, and after deciding to try them for himself, also found himself enjoying an unexpected energy boost. What happened next isn’t well documented, but what we do know is that over time, coffee cultivation spread across the Arabian Peninsula and trade grew quickly along with it. Later on, in the 15th century, the world’s first coffee houses had begun to spring up across the Middle East, and were the first iteration of coffee shops as we know them today – social spaces where people meet to talk, relax and unwind over a delightful cup of joe.
Up until that point, coffee was considered to be a simple drink that everyone could enjoy, but as it made its way over into Europe, with Venice becoming home to the very first coffee house on the continent, its reputation began to change, and as the concept spread to other major European cities, coffee shops became seen as trendy places to hang out and attract creatives and academics ranging from artists to writers and philosophers. By the 17th and 18th centuries, they had cemented themselves into European culture as the kind of places to see and be seen, sealing the deal for coffee to become thought of as a sophisticated and luxurious drink that was enjoyed by just the kind of high calibre clientele they would attract. And thus, it was then that coffee culture was born.
A symbol of luxury
Once Europe was well and truly under coffee’s spell, it wasn’t long before its colonial powers sought to establish coffee plantations in the tropics, in locations across South America, Africa and South East Asia. It was during this time – the Age of Exploration – that coffee became increasingly sought-after and its cultivation was becoming a major industry across the globe. As time went on and people were able to gain access to different varieties of coffee from various regions, a new appreciation for the cultivation and brewing process also took root, and by the 19th century, far from its humble beginnings, coffee was viewed as a symbol of luxury and opulence.
Aside from attracting a rather well-to-do customer base, coffee shops themselves had undergone something of a transformation, showcasing the latest in interior design and decked out with opulent furnishings, serving as meeting places for the upper class to gather to discuss high-brow topics like literature and politics, and from here, coffee culture gathered momentum at a jaw-dropping rate. Caffè Florian in Venice and Caffè Greco in Rome became famous the world over thanks to their luxurious settings and impeccable service, attracting celebrities and members of the aristocracy, and would have been considered thoroughly ‘Instagram worthy’ were they built today.
Since then, coffee has gone from strength to strength and speciality coffee shops have driven something of a second wave of popularity for the drink that has never fallen out of favour. Today, coffee isn’t just an excuse to socialise or be seen in the right place, and now, shops focus on sourcing the highest-quality beans they can, perfecting the roasting process and enlisting skilled baristas who know just how to bring it all together to create the perfect cup of coffee. Just like fine wine enthusiasts, the modern coffee connoisseur knows exactly what goes into one, too, and as the modern customer becomes increasingly discerning, coffee has become much more than just a caffeine fix. Now, with craft and artisan coffees the order of the day, it’s an experience to be enjoyed and savoured slowly, with each sip appreciated in a whole new way. For those interested in exploring this artisanal approach at home, learning how to make cold brew with whole beans offers a unique way to appreciate these rich flavors and intricate processes.
