The Popularity of Coffee

For many coffee drinkers, the popularity of coffee is a given, due to coffee’s taste and the stimulating effect of caffeine. While these factors are important, historical and social factors have also contributed to the fact that coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world today.

The Popularity of Coffee: An Historical Prospective
Coffee was discovered in Ethiopia but was first cultivated on the Arabian Peninsula. When coffee came to the Arabian Peninsula in c1100, it was the time of the Arab Empire. As those who lived in the Arab Empire were Muslims, they were forbidden to drink alcohol, unlike their European counterparts.

Over time, coffee became to the Arabs what wine was to the Europeans. The effects of caffeine were well-suited to Muslim religious customs. According to Islam, Muslims should pray 5 times a day. The stimulating effect of caffeine made it possible for many Muslims to stay awake during prayer time.

As the Arab Empire stretched through Arabia, North Africa, and parts of Europe, trade routes were established . Arab traders brought coffee to Europe, and Europeans too enjoyed the stimulating effects of caffeine and the taste of coffee. Coffee remained popular in Europe. As time went on and Europe expanded its influence over the world, like the Arabs before them, they traded coffee throughout the world.

The popularity of coffee in the United States began in the colonial days. Colonists enjoyed both tea and coffee with some preference for tea, but as the British imposed taxes on tea, resentment set in, leading to the famous Boston Tea Party. Since then, coffee has been the hot beverage of choice for most Americans.
Social Interaction & Coffee: The Role of the Coffeehouse

Social factors also contributed to the popularity of coffee. In historical Arabia, demand for coffee was high. In response to this demand, coffeehouses started springing up to serve it. People soon began to sit down and enjoy coffee together at these coffeehouses.

As more and more coffeehouses sprung up in the Arab Empire, an association of coffee with social interaction began to form. Arabs began to view coffee as a social drink. But more than that they saw it is an intellectual drink. In fact, Arabs referred to coffee as “the milk of thinkers and chess players.”

As they had gotten coffee from the Arabs, Europeans also got the coffee shop ideal from the Arabs and its association with social interaction and intellectualizing.

This association of coffee with social interaction and intellectualism is another factor that has led to the popularity of coffee. These associations, and the coffee shops that perpetuate them, help to expand coffee’s reign as the beverage of choice for many people.
The Future of Coffee

Coffee has been and remains a popular beverage. Historically, people have enjoyed the taste and effects of caffeine, as well as associated coffee with social interaction and intellectualism. Coffeehouses and coffee shops meet this need for social interaction with coffee. And with the world-wide expansion of Starbucks and other coffee chains, the popularity of coffee is not likely to wane anytime soon.