Goats Were the Unexpected Pioneers in Discovering Coffee

According to famous legends, goats first discovered the energizing effect of coffee beans. This tale dates back to 9th-century Ethiopia, where a goat herder named Kaldi lived. Kaldi noticed something unusual while tending to his herd: his goats became excited and animated after eating berries from a particular tree. Intrigued by their behavior, Kaldi decided to sample the berries himself.

He experienced an unexpected surge of vitality and alertness upon tasting them—what we now recognize as the typical caffeine “high.” This accidental discovery soon spread throughout the region.

Monastic Adoption

Monks at a local monastery learned about this ‘magic’ fruit and began using it to stay awake during long hours of prayer. They boiled the leaves and created a simple brown beverage, an early coffee form. This practice marked the beginning of coffee’s journey as an energizer.

Spread Across Continents

By the 15th century, coffee had reached Yemen, where people started cultivating the plant on a large scale. From Yemen, it made its way across Europe and eventually worldwide, wherever conditions allowed for its cultivation.

Historical Credibility

This story has been passed down through generations via word-of-mouth folklore, making it difficult for historians to validate its authenticity due to a lack of tangible proof or documentation. However, illustrations depicting men herding goats are widely found in ancient Abyssinian art (including modern-day Ethiopia), lending credibility to the anecdote.

Modern-Day Significance

The fact that an everyday drink enjoyed by millions worldwide originated from such humble beginnings adds an intriguing layer to its history. Despite the lack of concrete evidence linking Kaldi directly to the discovery of coffee, his legend continues to be celebrated as part of coffee’s rich cultural heritage.