Origin of the word

The word “qahwa” is taken from Arabic, meaning “drink.” It is believed that coffee was first drunk in Yemen.

The naming of coffee carries with it a rich cultural and social history dating back to different eras. The most popular theory is that the word “coffee” is taken from “Kaffa,” a region in Ethiopia where the coffee tree is believed to have originally originated. From there, coffee moved to the Arab world through the Kingdom of Yemen, where it became part of Islamic culture.

It was also said about the naming that the word “coffee” has a long and interesting history. In Arabic, the word is believed to be derived from the Arabic word "qaha", which means "to admire" or "to excel", referring to the effect that drinking coffee has. From here, the word evolved into “coffee.”

The word has evolved and spread to become known internationally, retaining its Arabic roots. In other languages, the word has morphed into "coffee" in English, "café" in French, "Kaffee" in German, and so on, but all go back to the original Arabic word.

In Yemen, coffee played a role in spiritual practices. They were used to help people stay awake for long periods of prayer and meditation. Establishing this custom gave coffee spiritual and cultural connotations that are not limited to being just a drink.

Over time, coffee became part of social life in the Arab world, and then spread to the Western world, where it witnessed great development and diversification. At each stage of this development, coffee nomenclature and meanings have changed to reflect local customs, traditions and needs.

This complex history of coffee naming reflects not only the evolution of the drink itself, but also the cultural and social transformations the world has witnessed over the centuries. So, when we talk about “coffee” today, we are referring to a combination of history, culture, and geography, all conveyed in every sip.

The depth of the story surrounding the naming of coffee comes from the constant interaction between man and this beverage throughout history. Initially, coffee played a role in religious worship and was considered a sacred thing. But over time, coffee caught the attention of scholars and intellectuals, and coffee shops became used as a place for philosophical thought and discussion.

From here, we see how coffee is not only drunk for its refreshing power, but because it adds a cultural and spiritual taste everywhere it is consumed. Coffee gains its importance not only from its taste, but from the multiple roles it plays in our daily lives.

This highlights the extent of coffee’s influence on the formation of social relations and cultural dialogue. It is not just a commodity, it is part of the cultural fabric that enables mutual understanding and mutual respect. In every cup, there is a story to tell, and in every sip, there are traditions kept.

In this context, the label “coffee” can be understood as a manifestation of the cultural and social complexity that characterizes humanity. They reflect a set of values, customs and traditions that make up our identity as a society. Hence, it becomes clear why coffee, and its name, are important beyond just being a drink we enjoy.

Yemen and agriculture

The first coffee farms to be planted systematically were in Yemen. Coffee was initially cultivated as part of religious rituals.

Yemen is considered one of the first countries where coffee was grown and exported. It is said that agriculture began in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries in the mountainous regions of Yemen. Religious scholars were among the first to use coffee in Yemen to help them stay alert during religious rituals.

Thanks to its advantageous geographical location and fertile soil, coffee plantations in Yemen produced high-quality varieties known today as “Mocha”, taken from the port of Mocha, which was the export center for Yemeni coffee. Yemeni coffee was so famous that it became a major source of wealth in the country for centuries.

Yemen is still considered an important place in coffee history and culture, and its ancient plantations—some of which are more than 400 years old—are among the oldest in the world. These farms and their traditional farming methods still exist today, and are considered part of the country's cultural heritage.

Thus, Yemeni coffee remains a symbol of the ancient history and culture of coffee, and many coffee lovers consider it a standard of quality and unique flavor.

Coffee spread

After Yemen, coffee cultivation began to spread to other regions in the Islamic world, including the Hijaz, specifically Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. Hejaz was an important center of trade, culture and religion, and therefore had a great influence on the spread of coffee culture.

In Hijaz, coffee became part of social rituals. It is usually served in councils, meetings, and even during Hajj, where it is offered to pilgrims as part of the hospitality of the Holy House. Over time, coffee shops began to appear in Mecca and Medina, and became a place for thought, discussion, and the exchange of ideas.

Coffee in Hijaz has special cultural influences. Visitors and scholars from different parts of the world noticed this custom and began to transfer it to their regions. Thus, coffee began to find its way to Damascus, Istanbul, and Cairo, and from there to the rest of the world.

In this context, it can be said that the Hijaz played a pivotal role in spreading coffee culture and making it an integral part of cultural and religious life in the Islamic world and beyond.

The first cafes

Coffee houses, or “coffee shops,” first appeared in Mecca and Medina, and were considered social and cultural centers.

In the beginning, the cafés of Mecca and Medina were often located near markets and mosques, making them truly social centers. In these cafés, people would gather not only to drink coffee but also to read the Qur’an, and to have religious and philosophical discussions. These cafés also sometimes hosted scholars and jurists to give lectures and lessons.

Given the importance of Mecca and Medina as religious centers, coffee shops in these cities added a spiritual dimension to coffee. In other words, coffee was not just an ordinary drink, but part of a deeper tradition.

In addition, coffee shops in Mecca and Medina became an essential stop for pilgrims and visitors, where they were offered coffee as part of the hospitality. This social and religious element of coffee in these cities contributed greatly to the transfer of coffee culture to parts of the Islamic world and then to the whole world.

Coffee and science

Coffee and science share a long and complex historical relationship. Initially, coffee houses were centers for scientific and philosophical discussion. In the Islamic world, the cafés of cities such as Cairo, Istanbul, and Damascus hosted sessions for scholars to discuss new ideas in fields such as astronomy, mathematics, and medicine.

Coffee also has a stimulating effect that helps maintain focus and alertness, making it a favorite drink among scientists and writers. In the Middle Ages, libraries and scientific schools served coffee to students and scholars to help them assimilate and understand scientific texts.

In Europe, coffee houses began to appear in the 17th century and became centers of scholarly discussion. Cafés such as Café Bruet in Paris and the Gentleman's Club in London were considered a place for exchanging scientific ideas and even presenting new papers and research.

So, it can be said that coffee has played a pivotal role in the development of science and culture throughout history. It was not just a drink given for hospitality, but rather it was part of the fabric of scientific and intellectual life.

Trade and expansion

Arab traders played a crucial role in spreading coffee and making it a global beverage. Initially, coffee cultivation was limited to Yemen, where it was cultivated extensively in the Middle Ages. Yemen is one of the first countries to witness systematic coffee cultivation and trade. Mocha, a Yemeni port on the Red Sea, was a major center for the coffee trade.

Arab traders transported coffee to the Levant and then to Egypt, and from there it spread to the rest of the Islamic world. Cafés, which began to appear in Cairo, Damascus, and Istanbul, played a major role in promoting this drink.

But Arab merchants were not limited to promoting coffee within the Islamic world only. They also facilitated its transportation to India, North Africa, and even to Europe via Venice, which was considered the gateway to trade between East and West. Hence, they have contributed greatly in making coffee a global beverage enjoyed in every corner of the world.

To say that Arab merchants were pioneers in expanding the spread of coffee and making it an integral part of global culture and trade.

There was also a qualitative shift in the coffee trade that came with the expansion of European colonialism.

The Portuguese, for example, were among the first to transport coffee seeds to Brazil, which later became one of the world's largest coffee exporters. The Dutch also played a large role in transporting coffee to Southeast Asia, especially to Java in Indonesia.

With the development of transportation and communication, coffee trade has become more expanded and globalized. Today, coffee is one of the most traded commodities in the world, and a major source of revenue in many developing countries.

With the increasing demand for specialty coffee in recent decades, there has been a growing interest in sustainable agriculture and fair trade, to ensure a decent life for coffee producers.

In this context, we can say that coffee is not just a beverage consumed daily, but rather a vital component of the global economy that forms an important part of the world's commercial and social history.

Coffee in Arabic literature

Coffee has a special place in Arabic literature, where it appears as a symbol of idea, discussion, and cultural exchange. Coffee and cafes are considered spaces for free thinking and serious dialogue in Arabic literature. Many Arab writers and poets used the café as a place for thinking, writing, and even cultural and intellectual alliances.

Coffee also appears in poetry, short stories, and novels as an element that carries many connotations, including warmth, companionship, nostalgia, and sometimes loneliness and contemplation. Sometimes, coffee becomes a symbolic figure that carries with it cultural and social values and meanings.

Cafés were and still are a place for philosophical, political and cultural discussions, and they embody in Arabic literature a mirror of society and its transformations. Therefore, it can be said that coffee forms an integral part of the fabric of cultural and literary life in the Arab world.