Coffee was discovered in Abyssinia (Ethiopia) and originally consumed as food. Later, the water boiled with the fruit was used in medical purposes and coffee has been called as 'magic fruit'. In the early 15th century known in Yemen, coffee is widely used in this region towards the end of the century. At the beginning of the 16th century, coffee was taken to Mecca and Cairo, and were brought to Istanbul in the middle of the same century. Since the mid-17th century (following the second siege of Vienna), coffee has reached major European centers through Istanbul.
There is a famous rumor about the discovery of coffee: A shepherd named 'Khalidi' living in Yemen's high plateaus, realizes that his goats become vigorous, moving and sleep less at night after eating the red berries from a tree. Shepherd, then eats those fruits himself and gives to others as well. This plant known by the word 'kahveh' meaning 'stimulus, invigorated' in Arabic, later began to be used as a beverage. There are also those who claim that coffee took its name from the village 'Kaffa' in Ethiopia where is the place it was found first.
Coffee drinking habit first began among the Yemeni Sufis; due to its stimulating effect, coffee has become an indispensable drink in time for prayers who are praying and worshiping throughout the night.
The Turks to become acquainted with coffee was during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Coffee was brought to Istanbul by Yemeni Governor Ozdemir Pasha and due to own cooking procedures of Turks took the name 'Turkish coffee'. Until the late 19th century, Turkish coffee was sold as raw seed, and after roasting in coffee pan in the house and after milling in hand mills people could drink it.
The coffee described by addicts as the 'black pearl' began to take its place among the essential components of the palace kitchen and houses and to be consumed in large quantities. The flavor and reputation of Turkish coffee, due to both merchants and travelers passing through Istanbul and the Ottoman envoys, spread out through first Europe and then the whole world.
Coffee production were made only in Yemen until the end of the 17th century. On the coffee consumption becoming widespread, coffee production areas have expanded. First in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), in the later years in Javanese Island (1696), Suriname (1718), Martinique (1723), Brazil (1727), Jamaica (1730), Cuba (1779), Venezuela (1784), Mexico (1790 ) and in Columbia (late 18th century) coffee cultivation was introduced.
At the peak of coffee production today is Brazil which has started this business much later. Brazil is followed by Indonesia and Colombia, respectively. Other major coffee producing countries are Mexico, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Uganda and Guatemala. Once holding the coffee production, Yemen now is not taking place even in the top ten.
Coffee, when drunk on food makes easier to digest. In this aspect, without drinking with sugar, coffee prevents weight gain and heartburn. The real benefit; it expands dream, gives power to memory, allows you to move and removes laxity. It is a fact that coffee brings clarity to thoughts. While poets are writing their poetry, authors are preparing their articles, painters are painting art bits, coffee cup has been their closest and sympathetic supporters. It is said that famous poet Ashraf was drinking two full cups of coffee before writing the epigram.