The history of coffee

Welcome to Nørden's Coffee Journey. This is where we go a step deeper and dress you well so that you can appear strong in the moment of serving. 

This is how Italy became the homeland of coffee culture

In this blog post, we delve into the history of coffee and give you a unique opportunity to show your guests that you don't just sell coffee, but that you understand coffee.

When Coffee became Cafés

Did you know that the coffee plant and thus the coffee beans have their origins in Ethiopia in Africa? Actually from the region called Kaffa in Ethiopia, back in the 8th century. In short, the name Kaffe means "stimulant".

However, coffee is mentioned completely unnamed before that, already in the Old Testament (200s before the birth of Christ to the 300s after the birth of Christ) – here it is described as an unnamed mysterious red substance made from dried, roasted beans. But it is via Ethiopia that coffee first came to Europe in the 15th century. 

It takes place through the maritime trade routes, and in 1570 Venice in Italy becomes coffee's first stop on the journey. From here it goes really fast. People loved coffee, and in the 16th-century coffee really caught on with Europeans. 

It was the starting point for the opening of the coffee lovers' new meeting place; the cafes. Here, Turin in particular is and became a coffee metropolis, where the best-known cafés Café San Carlo and Café Torino are established. Historically speaking, Italy, and not least Turin, has preserved and further developed its authentic special status as coffee pioneers, baristas, and culture shapers.

And it was precisely through Italy that coffee and the café concept spread to the rest of Europe in the years 1664-1679. In Denmark, we especially became aware of the power of coffee after a café opened in Hamburg in 1679. Since then, coffee has developed in step with our regional culture, especially the South Jutland coffee table became a well-known gastronomic and popular coffee success, which to this day supports our comfort - and come-together culture here in Denmark. 

The latest figures show that we are still, in 2021, one of the world's most coffee-loving and coffee-curious people.

In fact, together with Finland and Norway, we are in the top 3 coffee drinkers who would like to hear about and go on even more coffee discoveries about the origins of coffee and the way to a modern moment of enjoyment.

Botanical characteristics 

Coffee is plant-based and comes from a coffee tree that develops coffee berries. There are a total of approx. 60 varieties of coffee trees. Botanically, they belong to the species "Coffea". 

There are only 2 types of coffee trees that supply beans to the world's coffee drinkers. Arabica and Robusta. 

If we look at the botanical classification of the coffee tree, it has the following characteristics:

Habitat: Tropical; The plant that becomes a coffee tree requires a warm and humid climate with temperatures between 15-30°C. Preferably soil that is of volcanic origin, it is rich in nitrogen. Is sensitive to drought and wind. It is therefore often planted under other shade trees.

Plant height: The evergreen plant grows up to 12 meters high. It is pruned approx. 2/3 down.

The lifespan of the plant: is 20-30 years. Only after 4-5 years is the plant fully grown. A coffee tree produces coffee beans for approx. 15-25 years. 

Inflorescence: Jasmine-like white flowers that after 30-35 weeks of flowering develop coffee berries the size of small cherries.

Fruit: Red or yellow coffee berries when ripe. There are 2 beans per berry. Coffee berries that only contain 1 coffee bean are rare and exclusive, they are called peaberry or pearl beans. (Source: The Coffee Dictionary)

Production:  Annual harvest yield is approx. 700-900 g per plant.