While "invention" isn't the precise term, the discovery of coffee's energizing properties is widely attributed to Kaldi, an Ethiopian goat herder.
Here's a breakdown of the coffee story:
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The Legend of Kaldi: According to popular legend, around 800 AD in Ethiopia, Kaldi noticed his goats behaving unusually energetic after consuming berries from a particular tree. This led him to investigate the berries himself.
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Early Use: After experiencing the energizing effects himself, Kaldi reportedly shared his discovery with local monks. Initially, they disapproved, throwing the berries into a fire. However, the aroma from the roasting beans intrigued them, leading them to try brewing a beverage from the roasted beans.
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Spread and Cultivation: From Ethiopia, coffee cultivation and consumption spread to Yemen, then across the Middle East, and eventually to Europe and the rest of the world.
It's important to note that "invention" implies a deliberate creation. In the case of coffee, the initial discovery was accidental. While Kaldi is credited with recognizing the properties of coffee cherries, the process of roasting and brewing coffee developed over time. It wasn't a single inventor but a series of discoveries and refinements that led to the coffee we know today.
