There are interesting stories associated with the history of coffee. It is said that King Gustaff II (1594-1632) from Sweden had sentenced him to two twin brothers. They were found guilty in an alleged crime to them. To determine who is guilty, the king makes the rules unique and unusual. One is only allowed to have coffee in his life, while a longer just be drinking tea. Now, who first died, he was deemed guilty. Apparently, that is the tea drinker died first at age 83 years, although it was too late, he was assigned as the guilty. Since then, Swedes and countries in the Scandinavian region became so manic and fanatical about coffee. Perhaps they believe that by drinking coffee, the age they could be longer.
Myth and History
Acts II and the rule of King Gustaff drinking coffee is just one unique stories that enliven the coffee. In some places and countries there are many legends and stories about coffee, though the stories are jumbled between myth and history. The most famous legend in the course of the story of Kaldi Coffee and finding "magic red beans."
In one story is mentioned, about the 3rd century, there lived a goat herd named Kaldi in Ethiopia. Kaldi is known as a good shepherd and a huge responsibility for the care of animals. One day, the goats were not home and Kaldi was looking for it. When found, Kaldi saw bizarre behavior shown by his goats, jumping merry, such as being drunk.
Of course Kaldi surprised and find out what was causing the goats "dancing"? Kaldi was interested by a collection of red-colored seeds are shiny in the bushes and eaten by his goats. With curiosity, Kaldi tried eating the seeds. Miraculously, a few moments later the goat herders danced merrily, as well as conduct his goats.
It was Lebanon passed an educated guy from the city. The man named Aucuba it feel drowsy, tired, and hungry. Aucuba happened to watch "crazy act" Kaldi and his goats. I was so hungry, Aucuba was trying to eat red beans are eaten Kaldi. Before long, her body felt so fresh Aucuba, recovered energy, a sense of mengantuknya lost, and ready to continue his journey.
He also brings to town a few red beans and mix it with other foods. He also uses the red beans as an ingredient for beverage mixing the monks to stay awake during prayers. He also spread the seeds of red magic to the city and other monasteries. Aucuba became rich. Meanwhile, the story of Kaldi with his goats there was no sequel.
The role of Arab Traders
Apart from many a legend, myth, and claims of various parties, history records the commercial cultivation of coffee first conducted in Arabic on the 15th century. For a long time, commodity trading class is very strictly guarded, the Arab peasants tried in various ways to stop other countries get their precious coffee beans. Over time, coffee beans and pieces of plants spread to areas of Aden, Egypt, Syria, and Turkey where coffee known as "Arabian wine".
From the Muslim world, coffee spread to Europe, where it became popular during the 17th century. The Dutch were the first to import coffee to Europe in large scale and at a time to smuggle the seeds in 1690 because of crop or raw beans are not allowed out of the Arab region. Then, continue on coffee growing in Java by the Dutch.
Coffee also spread quickly to Europe. Although the Italian community are familiar with the coffee since the 10th century but the opening coffeehouse first, Botega Delcafe in Italy, a new place in 1645. Coffee shop that later became the center of a gathering of scholars in the country pizza. In the City of London, the first coffee house opened in George Yard in Lombat Sreet and in Paris, coffee shop opened in 1671 at the Saint Germain Fair.
In the 18th century, missionaries (envoy), traders and colonists introduced coffee in Central America and South America. Natural environment that naturally proved an ideal location for planting coffee, so coffee can be grown quickly spread.
While in America, the national drink coffee made in the United States and became the main menu at breakfast tables. When coffee reached the American colonies region, was initially not as successful in Europe because they are less able to replace the alcohol. However, as long as the Revolutionary War, increased demand for copies is high, until the suppliers have to open the inventory reserve and increase the price dramatically, some of it is based on the declining supply of tea by the British traders.
Forbidden Drink
Travel coffee became the most popular beverages world population is not smooth. There were times where the coffee into a product whose presence "forbidden". In 1511, because the stimulus effect generated, prohibited its use by priests in the conservative and orthodox religious assembly in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. However, because of the popularity of this drink, the ban was removed in 1524 on the orders of Sultan Selim I of the Ottoman Turks. In Cairo, Egypt, a similar ban was also passed in 1532, where the coffee shop and coffee warehouse is closed.
A century later, in 1656, Vizier Ottoman Empire issued a ban to open coffee shops. Not only banning coffee, but punishing those who drink coffee with caning on the first offense. However, years later, the prohibition of drinking coffee in the Middle East gradually erode so that if a husband forbids his wife to drink coffee, the wife can wear this excuse to get a divorce.
In Italy, the priests forbade his people to drink coffee and said coffee drinks that included Muslim sultans to replace the wine. It is not only prohibit, but also punish the people who drank coffee. The reason, coffee is a "political commodity 'of Muslims in an effort to shift the popularity of wine has long been known and synonymous with the Catholic.
The ban was also imposed in Russia, though more is "discriminatory" and maintain the authority of the coffee aristocracy. Since it is considered prestigious as a beverage, King Frederick the Great of Russia in 1777 only allows the upper class or aristocratic class just for show kearistokratan coffee.
Coffee in Indonesia
At first, coffee in Indonesia under the Dutch government. Coffee was introduced in Indonesia through Sri Lanka. Initially, the Dutch government to grow coffee in the vicinity of Batavia (Jakarta), Sukabumi, and Bogor. Coffee is also grown in East Java, Central Java, West Java, Sumatra, and Sulawesi. At the beginning of the 20th-century coffee plantations in Indonesia infestations which almost destroyed the entire crop of coffee. At that time, coffee was also planted in Timor and Flores. Both the island at that time under the Portuguese rule. Types of coffee grown there also is arabica coffee. Coffee is not attacked by pests.
According to wikipedia sites the Dutch colonial government then plant the coffee liberika to tackle the pest. This variety is popular not so long and also was attacked by pests. Liberika coffee can still be found on the island of Java, though rarely planted as a commercial production. Coffee beans liberika slightly larger than coffee beans arabica and robusta coffee.
Natural disasters, World War II and the independence struggle, they have a crucial role for coffee in Indonesia. In the early 20th-century coffee plantations are under the control of Dutch rule. Infrastructure was developed to facilitate trade coffee. Prior to World War II in Central Java, there are rail lines that are used to transport coffee, sugar, pepper, tea and tobacco to Semarang to be transported by ships. Coffee is grown in Central Java are generally arabica coffee. Meanwhile, in East Java (Kayu Mas, Blewan, and Jampit) generally is robusta coffee. In the mountain area of Banyuwangi, Jember until there is a lot of arabica and robusta coffee plantations. Robusta coffee grown in low areas, while arabica coffee grown in the highlands.
Today, coffee is a drink to-2 that is consumed throughout the world, after water. Finland is a country with per capita consumption is highest, with an average consumption per person around 1400 cups each year!
Coffee is the second commodity most heavily traded after oil. Total 6.7 million tons of coffee produced in the period 1998-2000 alone. FAO estimates that, by 2010, world coffee production will reach 7 million tons per year. (Source: netsains.com)
