Coffee

The rich history of coffee

In addition to providing energy in the early hours of the day and offering an irresistibly rich flavor, coffee also carries a long history that spans thousands of years, countless cultural traditions and global developments. The story is said to begin with a goatherd in Ethiopia around the year 500.

Legend has it that coffee was discovered by a goatherd named Kaldi, who lived in Ethiopia. One day, Kaldi noticed that his goats became unusually energetic after eating red berries from a particular bush. Curious to learn more, he picked some of the mysterious berries.

Kaldi brought the berries to a monk and told him about the goats, which leapt around with energy. The monk decided they should try the berries themselves. They poured boiling water over them and tasted the drink. To their surprise, the beverage was so invigorating that the monks were able to stay awake for their prayers for hours. Word soon spread across the country, and the monastery became known as “the awake monastery.”

The invigorating effects of the drink fascinated many, and the berries were soon passed from monastery to monastery and beyond Ethiopia’s borders. Through trade routes, coffee reached Arabia, where it became known as qahwa. It was only a matter of time before coffee’s popularity grew and spread across the globe.

The journey of the coffee beans

Today, coffee is cultivated and prepared differently than in that Ethiopian monastery of the year 500. The beans are grown in many countries within the so-called “coffee belt,” which stretches from the highlands of Mexico to Sumatra in Indonesia. Most coffee beans sold today, however, come from South and Central America.

The journey begins on coffee bushes under the southern sun, where the berries ripen until they are round, red and ready for harvest. Once picked, the berries are laid out to dry on large drying beds. Coffee farmers turn the berries with large rakes several times a day to ensure even drying. After weeks in the sun, the berries crack, the pulp disappears, and only the beans remain – ready for fermentation and shipment to roasteries around the world.

Some of the finest beans find their way to Strandvejsristeriet - Mille and Peter’s coffee oasis in Helsingør. With a passion for high-quality organic coffee, they carefully roast the beans in their café.

If you are exclusively searching for organic coffee, we also recommend the range from Just Coffee Roskilde. They import green coffee according to sustainable principles, and all their products are certified organic.

Buy coffee online at Nordic Tea

By choosing organic coffee from Nordic Tea, you are guaranteed a great coffee experience every time. Explore our selection and discover unique flavors that bring you closer to the essence of this timeless drink.