# History of Coffee

/ˈhɪstəri əv ˈkɔfi/ (US) · /ˈhɪstəri əv ˈkɒfi/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/history-of-coffee
Updated: 2026-09-20

## Definition

the story of how coffee was found in Ethiopia, traded in Yemen, and eventually spread to every part of the world to become a popular drink

For teachers: the chronological record of the discovery, cultivation, and global dissemination of the Coffea plant, tracing its origins from Ethiopia to the Arabian Peninsula and beyond.

## Examples

- We are learning about the history of coffee in our class today.
- The cafe walls are decorated with old maps that illustrate the history of coffee and its journey across the ocean.
- To truly appreciate a single-origin roast, one must delve into the history of coffee and the socio-economic factors that shaped its global trade routes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.