For some it is the elixir of life, for others a symbolic ritual. Whether early in the morning, in the afternoon with cake or throughout the day - whether enjoyed on the go from a coffee to go cup or at home or in the office from your favorite mug. We are talking about coffee, a beverage that we consume almost as a matter of course today, but whose roots are deeply rooted in a rich and complex history.

The journey of coffee begins in the Ethiopian highlands where, according to legend, a goatherd named Kaldi noticed that his goats became extremely lively after eating red berries from a particular bush. This led to the discovery of the coffee cherry. The actual historical evidence of coffee as a stimulant takes us to the 15th century, where it was popularized in the Sufi monasteries of Yemen. It was here that coffee beans were first roasted and boiled to create a drinkable brew - the birth of the beverage we know today as coffee.

In the 16th century, coffee reached Egypt, Persia and Turkey, where it quickly became an integral part of public and private hospitality. The first coffee houses, known as "Kaveh Kanes", were opened in Istanbul and became centers of social activity and intellectual exchange. Coffee was considered the "wine of Islam" and was increasingly used in religious rituals to support the night vigil and promote meditation.

Coffee's journey to Europe began in the 17th century through trade in the Mediterranean. Venice played a key role in introducing coffee to Europe, and soon after the first coffee house opened its doors in Italy in 1645. Coffee was initially viewed skeptically by the Catholic Church, but after Pope Clement VIII declared coffee to be Christian, the drink quickly gained popularity throughout Europe.