Coffee | Origin, Types, Uses, History, & Facts

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data-icon="toc"></em> <a class="font-serif font-weight-bold text-black link-blue" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/coffee">coffee</a> </div> <button aria-label="Close" class="js-sections-close-button btn-link btn-sm btn d-lg-none position-absolute top-0 p-10 right-0" > <em class="material-icons font-26" data-icon="close"></em> </button> </div> <div class="section-content pl-10 pr-20 pl-sm-50 pr-sm-60 pl-lg-5 pr-lg-10 pt-10 pt-lg-0 bg-gray-50 clear-catfish-ad"> <div class="toc mb-20"> <div class="font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-15 mb-15 mt-20"> Table of Contents </div> <ul class="list-unstyled my-0" data-level="h1"><li data-target="#ref1"><div class="pl-25"><a class="link-gray-900 w-100" href="/topic/coffee">Introduction & Top Questions</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref66600"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/coffee#ref66600">History</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref66606"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/coffee/Processing-the-bean">Processing the bean</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref66605"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/coffee/Processing-the-bean#ref66605">Grading</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref66607"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/coffee/Processing-the-bean#ref66607">Decaffeination</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref66608"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/coffee/Processing-the-bean#ref66608">Roasting</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref66609"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/coffee/Processing-the-bean#ref66609">Grinding</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref66611"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/coffee/Processing-the-bean#ref66611">Packaging</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref66610"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/coffee/Using-coffee">Using coffee</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref66612"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/coffee/Using-coffee#ref66612">Brewing and drinking</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref328909"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/coffee/Using-coffee#ref328909">Instant coffee</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref328910"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/coffee/Using-coffee#ref328910">Cooking with coffee</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref344218"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/coffee/Using-coffee#ref344218">Health effects</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li></ul> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/coffee/additional-info">References & Edit History</a> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="/facts/coffee">Related Topics</a> </div> <div class="tlr-media-slider pb-10 mb-30"> <a class="section-header link-gray-900 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mb-10 mx-10" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/coffee/images-videos">Images, Videos & Interactives</a> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 "> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex overflow-hidden text-nowrap ml-15"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/16/138916-050-93D18857/coffee-beans-ground-paper-bags.jpg" data-href="/media/1/124329/144195" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/16/138916-004-E4446CC2/coffee-beans-ground-paper-bags.jpg" alt="coffee beans, ground coffee, and instant coffee" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/17/234017-050-F665E64D/cappuccino-Rome-Italy.jpg" data-href="/media/1/124329/271426" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/17/234017-004-FD2DDBFE/cappuccino-Rome-Italy.jpg" alt="cappuccino" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/25/259025-050-F3453303/caffeine-in-drinks.jpg" data-href="/media/1/124329/309032" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/25/259025-049-F3453303/caffeine-in-drinks.jpg" alt="Caffeine content of popular drinks." height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/78/216078-050-568FADC2/English-coffeehouse-during-The-Restoration-1668.jpg" data-href="/media/1/124329/254802" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/78/216078-004-88E15E78/English-coffeehouse-during-The-Restoration-1668.jpg" alt="coffeehouse, 17th-century England" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/54/120754-050-C1C5D3FE/labourer-Guatemalan-coffee-plantation.jpg" data-href="/media/1/124329/115461" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/54/120754-004-8CFD2E22/labourer-Guatemalan-coffee-plantation.jpg" alt="coffee plantation" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/17/138917-050-DA37F461/coffee-cherries.jpg" data-href="/media/1/124329/144196" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/17/138917-004-B36B1B6F/coffee-cherries.jpg" alt="coffee cherries" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/15/7215-050-C0694BBE/coffee-beans-heartland-Costa-Rican-San-Jose.jpg" data-href="/media/1/124329/859" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/15/7215-004-8D791F9A/coffee-beans-heartland-Costa-Rican-San-Jose.jpg" alt="drying coffee beans" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/39/133939-050-8F49EA18/Coffee-beans-roasting.jpg" data-href="/media/1/124329/136768" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/39/133939-004-E4FB3CF7/Coffee-beans-roasting.jpg" alt="coffee roasting" height="50" /> </a> <a href="/video/Using-chemistry-difference-between-cold-hot-brew-coffee/246820" data-href="/media/1/124329/246820" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <div class="position-relative --aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/30/216530-138-B6F3D627/Using-chemistry-difference-between-cold-hot-brew-coffee.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Is cold- or hot-brewed coffee better for you?" class="col-100" /> <div class="btn btn-sm btn-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="top: 50%; left:50%; transform: translate(-50%, -50%)"> <em class="material-icons font-14" data-icon="play_arrow" > </em> </div> </div> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/36/224436-050-135C14A3/Barista-making-drip-coffee-in-the-cafe.jpg" data-href="/media/1/124329/259735" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/36/224436-004-8E4FBF77/Barista-making-drip-coffee-in-the-cafe.jpg" alt="drip coffee" height="50" /> </a> 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Chan School of Public Health - Coffee</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.verywellfit.com/coffee-nutrition-facts-and-health-benefits-3495233" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Verywell Fit - Coffee Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.ncausa.org/about-coffee/history-of-coffee" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">National Coffee Association of U.S.A. - The History of Coffee</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-980/coffee" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">WebMD - Coffee - Uses, Side Effects, And More</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://sites.duke.edu/rethinkingglobalcities/files/2014/09/64Kafadar16-coffeehistory.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Duke University - Sites@Duke Express - A History of Coffee</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/sciencebites/chapter/a-bitter-brew-coffee-production-deforestation-soil-erosion-and-water-contamination/" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">The Ohio State University Pressbooks - A Bitter Brew - Coffee Production, Deforestation, Soil Erosion and Water Contamination</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-13-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coffee" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Healthline - 13 Health Benefits of Coffee, Based on Science</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.thespruceeats.com/the-origin-of-coffee-765180/" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">The Spruce Eats - The Origin of Coffee</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-title">Britannica Websites</div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-subtitle">Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.</div> <ul class="list-unstyled bps-topic-web-sites lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/coffee/352981" target="_blank" rel="noopener">coffee - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/coffee/273721" target="_blank" rel="noopener">coffee - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="toc-header-marker"></div> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 js-header-ai-ask-button d-none btn-sm btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 mr-0 mr-lg-10 ml-5 ml-sm-10 ml-lg-0 p-10"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> <div class="md-byline module-spacing "> <div class="font-serif font-12"> <span class="written-by text-gray-700"> Written by </span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/contributor/Nathan-Myhrvold/9347686" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">Nathan Myhrvold</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 clamp-description text-black">Dr. Nathan Myhrvold is chief executive officer and a founder of Intellectual Ventures, a firm dedicated to creating and investing in inventions. In addition to stimulating the invention of others, Myhrvold...</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> Nathan Myhrvold</span></div> <div class="font-serif font-12 text-gray-700"> <span class="qa-fact-checked-by">Fact-checked by</span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 font-12" href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 text-black">Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link font-12 "> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <span class="text-gray-700"> Last Updated: <time datetime="2024-11-20T00:00:00CST" >Nov 20, 2024</time> •</span> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/coffee/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 ai-ask-button btn border-2 module-spacing btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="js-qf-module qf-module px-40 px-sm-20 py-15 mx-auto module-spacing font-14 bg-gray-50 rounded"> <div class="facts-list mt-10"> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Key People: </dt> <dd><a href="/money/Thomas-Lipton" topicid="343005">Thomas Lipton</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Related Topics: </dt> <dd><a href="/topic/espresso" topicid="192772">espresso</a></dd> <dd><a href="/topic/history-of-coffee" topicid="2191752">history of coffee</a></dd> <dd><a href="/topic/Kopi-Luwak" topicid="2032113">kopi luwak</a></dd> <dd><a href="/topic/cold-brew-coffee" topicid="2243323">cold-brew coffee</a></dd> <dd><a href="/topic/decaffeinated-coffee" topicid="692260">decaffeinated coffee</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> <div class="text-center"> <a class="btn btn-sm btn-link p-0" href="/facts/coffee"> See all related content </a> </div> </div> </div> </div><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>What is coffee?<\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Coffee is a beverage brewed from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/coffee-roasting\">roasted<\/a> and ground seeds of the tropical evergreen coffee plant. Coffee is one of the three most popular beverages in the world (alongside <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/water\">water<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/tea-beverage\">tea<\/a>), and it is one of the most profitable international commodities." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>Where is coffee grown?<\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "<a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Latin-America\">Latin America<\/a>, eastern <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Africa\">Africa<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Asia\">Asia<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Arabia-peninsula-Asia\">Arabia<\/a> are leading producers of Arabica coffee. The Arabica bean requires a cool subtropical climate. It grows at higher elevations and requires a lot of moisture, sun, and shade. Western and Central Africa, Southeast Asia, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Brazil\">Brazil<\/a> are major producers of Robusta coffee. The Robusta bean can grow at lower elevations." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>Where did coffee originate?<\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Wild coffee plants, probably from Kefa (Kaffa), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Ethiopia\">Ethiopia<\/a>, were taken to southern <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Arabia-peninsula-Asia\">Arabia<\/a> and placed under cultivation in the 15th century. The popularity of coffee in the Arab world led to the creation of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/cafe-eating-and-drinking-establishment\">coffeehouse<\/a>, first in Mecca and then in Constantinople in the 15th and 16th centuries, respectively. Coffee was introduced into one European country after another throughout the 16th and 17th centuries." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>How is coffee decaffeinated?<\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The main methods of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/decaffeination\">decaffeination<\/a> are based on chemical <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/solvent-chemistry\">solvents<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/carbon-chemical-element\">carbon<\/a> filtering, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/carbon-dioxide\">carbon dioxide<\/a> extraction, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/triglyceride\">triglycerides<\/a>. In all cases, to make \u201Cdecaf,\u201D the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/caffeine\">caffeine<\/a> is removed in the green bean stage, before the coffee is roasted. Regardless of the method, coffee is never 100% caffeine-free. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/story\/how-is-coffee-decaffeinated\">Learn more.<\/a>" } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>Why does coffee make you poop?<\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/acidity\">acidity<\/a> of coffee causes a person\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/stomach\">stomach<\/a> to secrete a heightened level of gastric acid. Coffee contains chlorogenic acid, which causes the stomach to dump its content more quickly into the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/intestine\">intestines<\/a>. Coffee also increases the levels of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/gastrin\">gastrin<\/a> in the body. Gastrin activates <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/peristalsis\">peristalsis<\/a>, which pushes waste toward the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/rectum\">rectum<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/video\/186989\/effects-coffee\">Learn more.<\/a>" } } ] } </script> <div class="top-questions qa-accordion d-flex flex-column module-spacing"><div class="font-weight-bold font-14 mb-5"> Top Questions </div><div id="intent-accordion" class="md-intent-accordion"><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="1"> <h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>What is coffee?</div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3> <div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p>Coffee is a beverage brewed from the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/coffee-roasting" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">roasted</a> and ground seeds of the tropical evergreen coffee plant. Coffee is one of the three most popular beverages in the world (alongside <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/water" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">water</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/tea-beverage" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">tea</a>), and it is one of the most profitable international commodities.</p></div></div> </div><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="2"> <h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>Where is coffee grown?</div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3> <div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Latin-America" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Latin America</a>, eastern <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Africa" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Africa</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Asia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Asia</a>, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Arabia-peninsula-Asia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Arabia</a> are leading producers of Arabica coffee. The Arabica bean requires a cool subtropical climate. It grows at higher elevations and requires a lot of moisture, sun, and shade. Western and Central Africa, Southeast Asia, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Brazil" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Brazil</a> are major producers of Robusta coffee. The Robusta bean can grow at lower elevations.</p></div></div> </div><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="3"> <h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>Where did coffee originate?</div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3> <div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p>Wild coffee plants, probably from Kefa (Kaffa), <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Ethiopia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Ethiopia</a>, were taken to southern <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Arabia-peninsula-Asia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Arabia</a> and placed under cultivation in the 15th century. The popularity of coffee in the Arab world led to the creation of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/cafe-eating-and-drinking-establishment" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">coffeehouse</a>, first in Mecca and then in Constantinople in the 15th and 16th centuries, respectively. Coffee was introduced into one European country after another throughout the 16th and 17th centuries.</p></div></div> </div><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="4"> <h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>How is coffee decaffeinated?</div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3> <div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p>The main methods of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/decaffeination" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">decaffeination</a> are based on chemical <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/solvent-chemistry" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">solvents</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/carbon-chemical-element" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">carbon</a> filtering, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/carbon-dioxide" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">carbon dioxide</a> extraction, or <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/triglyceride" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">triglycerides</a>. In all cases, to make “decaf,” the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/caffeine" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">caffeine</a> is removed in the green bean stage, before the coffee is roasted. Regardless of the method, coffee is never 100% caffeine-free. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/story/how-is-coffee-decaffeinated" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Learn more.</a></p></div></div> </div><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="5"> <h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>Why does coffee make you poop?</div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3> <div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p>The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/acidity" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">acidity</a> of coffee causes a person’s <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/stomach" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">stomach</a> to secrete a heightened level of gastric acid. Coffee contains chlorogenic acid, which causes the stomach to dump its content more quickly into the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/intestine" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">intestines</a>. Coffee also increases the levels of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/gastrin" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">gastrin</a> in the body. Gastrin activates <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/peristalsis" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">peristalsis</a>, which pushes waste toward the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/rectum" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">rectum</a>. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/video/186989/effects-coffee" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Learn more.</a></p></div></div> </div><button class="show-more-button js-toggle-top-questions btn btn-unstyled font-14 d-flex pr-10 rounded-sm"><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></button></div></div><div class="bg-gray-50 p-15 rounded module-spacing recent-news d-flex flex-column float-false"> <div> <h2 class="font-weight-bold font-14 m-0 d-inline"> News <span class="text-gray-600">•</span> </h2> <div class="recent-news-item first-recent-news-item d-inline"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/18/world/middleeast/central-gaza-life-israel-war.html" rel="nofollow">Coffee, Juice, Shawarma: Tiny Traces of Normal Life in a Ruined Gaza</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Nov. 18, 2024, 9:38 PM ET (New York Times) <button class="btn btn-link d-inline p-0 font-12 js-toggle-recent-news"> <span class="text-gray-500">...</span><span>(Show more)</span> </button> </span> </div> </div> <div class="rest-of-recent-news-items"> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="/news/124329/161cbc1c2bbd9d0bf018cbdacbf89bc6" rel="nofollow">Starbucks CEO sets four-minute service goal as he tries to reinvigorate sagging sales</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Oct. 30, 2024, 7:02 PM ET (AP) </span> </div> <button class="js-toggle-recent-news d-flex btn btn-unstyled font-14 pr-10 rounded-sm mt-10" aria-label="Toggle additional news items"> Show less <em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_less"></em> </button> </div> </div><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref1"><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><strong><span id="ref3474"></span>coffee</strong>, beverage brewed from the roasted and ground seeds of the tropical <a href="https://www.britannica.com/plant/evergreen-plant" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">evergreen</a> coffee plants of African origin. Coffee is one of the three most popular beverages in the world (alongside <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/water" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">water</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/tea-beverage" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">tea</a>) and one of the most profitable international commodities. Though coffee is the basis for an endless array of beverages, including <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/espresso" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">espresso</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/cappuccino" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">cappuccinos</a>, mochas, and lattes, its popularity is mainly attributed to its invigorating effect, which is produced by <span id="ref3475"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/caffeine" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">caffeine</a>, an <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/alkaloid" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">alkaloid</a> present in coffee.</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="271426" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/17/234017-050-F665E64D/cappuccino-Rome-Italy.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/124329/271426"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/17/234017-050-F665E64D/cappuccino-Rome-Italy.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/17/234017-050-F665E64D/cappuccino-Rome-Italy.jpg?w=300" alt="cappuccino" data-width="1600" data-height="1067" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/17/234017-050-F665E64D/cappuccino-Rome-Italy.jpg" data-href="/media/1/124329/271426">cappuccino</a><span>A cappuccino served in a café in Rome, Italy.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph"></p><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Two species of coffee plants, <em><span id="ref3476"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/plant/Coffea-arabica" class="md-crosslink ">Coffea arabica</a></em> and <em><span id="ref3477"></span>C. canephora,</em> supply almost all of the world’s <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="consumption" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consumption" data-type="MW">consumption</a>. Arabica is considered a milder and more flavourful and aromatic brew than Robusta, the main variety of <em>C. canephora</em>. The flatter and more elongated Arabica bean is more widespread than Robusta but more delicate and <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="vulnerable" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vulnerable" data-type="MW">vulnerable</a> to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/pest-vermin" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">pests</a>, requiring a cool subtropical climate; Arabica must grow at higher elevations (2,000–6,500 feet [600–2,000 metres]), it needs a lot of moisture, and it has fairly specific shade requirements. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Latin-America" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Latin America</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/eastern-Africa" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">eastern Africa</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Asia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Asia</a>, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Arabia-peninsula-Asia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Arabia</a> are leading producers of Arabica coffee. The rounder, more convex Robusta bean, as its name suggests, is hardier and can grow at lower altitudes (from <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/sea-level" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">sea level</a> to 2,000 feet). Robusta coffee is cheaper to produce, has twice the caffeine content of Arabica, and is typically the bean of choice for inexpensive commercial coffee brands. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/western-Africa" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Western</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/central-Africa" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Central Africa</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Southeast-Asia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Southeast Asia</a>, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Brazil" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Brazil</a> are major producers of Robusta coffee.</p><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span><div class="mb-20"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="309032" data-asm-type="infogram"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="infogram"><script id="infogram_0__/xN8FX17EbTqfzFmf5BXI" src="https://e.infogram.com/js/dist/embed.js?Itp" type="text/javascript" title="Caffeine content of popular drinks."></script></div></figure></div></div></section> <span class="marker h2"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref66600"> <h2 class="h1">History</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Wild coffee plants, probably from Kefa (Kaffa), <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Ethiopia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Ethiopia</a>, were taken to southern Arabia and placed under cultivation in the 15th century. One of many <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/legend-literature" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">legends</a> about the discovery of coffee is that of Kaldi, an Arab goatherd who was puzzled by the strange antics of his flock. About 850 <span class="text-smallcaps">ce</span> Kaldi supposedly sampled the berries of the <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="evergreen" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/evergreen" data-type="EB">evergreen</a> bush on which the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/goat" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">goats</a> were feeding and, on experiencing a sense of exhilaration, proclaimed his discovery to the world.</p><a class="link-module shadow-sm d-block qa-quiz-module" href="/quiz/drink-to-this" data-link-module-iframe-link=""> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/47/174347-131-50C1D688/Fruit-Grape-Vitis-vinifera-Wine-grape-Blauer.jpg" alt="Fruit. Grape. Vitis vinifera. Blauer Portugieser. Wine. Wine grape. Autumn. Grape leaves. Two clusters of Blauer Portugieser grapes on the vine." class="rounded-sm mr-15" width="70" /> <div class="line-clamp clamp-5"> <div class="module-title bg-green">Britannica Quiz</div> <div class="font-weight-semi-bold mt-5">Drink to This</div> </div> </a><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD6 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Whatever the actual origin of coffee, its stimulating effect undoubtedly made it popular. Ironically, though <span id="ref3478"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Islam" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Islamic</a> authorities pronounced the drink intoxicating and therefore prohibited by the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Quran" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Qurʾān</a>, many Muslims were attracted to the beverage as a substitute for <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/alcohol" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">alcohol</a>, also prohibited by the Qurʾān. Despite the threat of severe penalties, coffee drinking spread rapidly among Arabs and their neighbours and even gave rise to a new social and cultural entity, the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/cafe-eating-and-drinking-establishment" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">coffeehouse</a>.</p><span class="marker MOD6 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD7 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="254802" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/78/216078-050-568FADC2/English-coffeehouse-during-The-Restoration-1668.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/124329/254802"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/78/216078-050-568FADC2/English-coffeehouse-during-The-Restoration-1668.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/78/216078-050-568FADC2/English-coffeehouse-during-The-Restoration-1668.jpg?w=300" alt="coffeehouse, 17th-century England" data-width="1600" data-height="1100" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/78/216078-050-568FADC2/English-coffeehouse-during-The-Restoration-1668.jpg" data-href="/media/1/124329/254802">coffeehouse, 17th-century England</a><span>English coffeehouse during the Restoration, painting from 1668. Some of the most famous coffeehouses of Europe flourished in London as ready points for news, discussion, and political and financial society.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">Coffee was introduced into one European country after another throughout the 16th and 17th centuries. Many accounts are recorded of its prohibition or approval as a religious, political, and medical potion. By the end of the 17th century, <span id="ref3479"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/cafe-eating-and-drinking-establishment" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">coffeehouses</a> were flourishing across Britain, the British colonies in America, and continental Europe.</p><div class="module-spacing"> <DIV class="marketing-INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION marketing-content" data-marketing-id="INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION"><style> .student-promo-banner-wrapper { container-type: inline-size; margin-bottom: 15px; } @container (min-width: 475px) { .student-promo-banner { flex-direction: row; } .student-promo-banner-img-wrapper { margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 10px; justify-content: flex-start; } .student-promo-banner-text-wrapper { text-align: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 10px; } .student-promo-banner-button-wrapper { margin-right: 0; } }</style> <div class="student-promo-banner-wrapper"> <div class="student-promo-banner d-flex flex-column align-items-center bg-blue rounded p-20"> <div class="student-promo-banner-img-wrapper mb-20 mr-0 d-flex justify-content-center"> <img class="rounded" style="max-width: 100px; min-width: 80px" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/BlueThistle.webp" /> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-text-wrapper ml-0 mb-10 text-center text-white"> <div class="h2 mb-10">Get Unlimited Access</div> <div class="h4 font-weight-semi-bold">Try Britannica Premium for free and discover more.</div> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-button-wrapper d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center ml-auto mr-auto"> <a class="btn btn-m btn-orange" href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=black-friday-2024">Subscribe</a> </div> </div> </div> </DIV></div><span class="marker MOD7 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD8 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Until the close of the 17th century, the world’s limited supply of coffee was obtained almost entirely from the province of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Yemen" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Yemen</a> in southern Arabia. But, with the increasing popularity of the beverage, <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="propagation" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/propagation" data-type="MW">propagation</a> of the plant spread rapidly to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Java-island-Indonesia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Java</a> and other islands of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Indonesia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Indonesian archipelago</a> in the 17th century and to the Americas in the 18th century. Coffee cultivation was started in the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Hawaii-state" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Hawaiian Islands</a> in 1825.</p><div class="one-good-fact-module"> </div><span class="marker MOD8 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD9 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="115461" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/54/120754-050-C1C5D3FE/labourer-Guatemalan-coffee-plantation.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/124329/115461"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/54/120754-050-C1C5D3FE/labourer-Guatemalan-coffee-plantation.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/54/120754-050-C1C5D3FE/labourer-Guatemalan-coffee-plantation.jpg?w=300" alt="coffee plantation" data-width="1600" data-height="883" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/54/120754-050-C1C5D3FE/labourer-Guatemalan-coffee-plantation.jpg" data-href="/media/1/124329/115461">coffee plantation</a><span>Guatemalan labourer working on a coffee plantation.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">By the 20th century the greatest concentration of production was centred in the Western Hemisphere—particularly <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Brazil" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Brazil</a>. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, industrial roasting and grinding machines came into use, vacuum-sealed containers were invented for ground roasts, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/decaffeination" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">decaffeination</a> methods for green coffee beans were developed. After 1950 the production of <span id="ref3480"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/instant-coffee" class="md-crosslink ">instant coffee</a> was perfected, which led to increased production of the cheaper Robusta beans in Africa. <em>See also</em> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-coffee" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">history of coffee</a>.</p><span class="marker MOD9 mod-inline"></span> </section> <span class="marker end-of-content"></span><span class="marker after-article"></span></div> <div id="chatbot-root"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ai-dialog-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> <aside class="col-md-da-320"></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article></div> </div></div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"Topic","templateName":"DESKTOP","pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":3,"pageId":124329,"pageLength":607,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.130.14"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/topic-page.js?v=3.130.14' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"D","adLeg":"D","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":"PAGINATED","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

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Coffee | Origin, Types, Uses, History, & Facts | Britannica