☕ Kaldi's discovery of coffee in Ethiopia

The story of coffee begins in Ethiopia , the country of origin of coffee. According to legend, a goat herder named Kaldi lived in the Ethiopian highlands, where he discovered the coffee bush. He noticed that his goats became full of energy after eating the red coffee berries. When Kaldi tasted the berries himself , he experienced the same invigorating effect. This was the beginning of the history of coffee and of what we know today as Ethiopian coffee .

☕ Kaldi and the Ethiopian Sufi Monks

Kaldi shared his discovery with local Ethiopian Sufi monks , who spent many hours in prayer and meditation. The monks were initially skeptical of the coffee berries and doubted their effectiveness. Nevertheless, they decided to investigate them more closely.

☕ The coffee beans in the fire and the first use of coffee

To get rid of the berries, the monks threw them into the fire. As the coffee beans began to roast, an intense and pleasant aroma spread. Fascinated, the monks collected the roasted beans, crushed them, and brewed them with hot water. The drink helped them stay awake during long nightly prayers. Coffee quickly became an important part of their spiritual practice.

☕ The traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony

In Ethiopia, coffee evolved into much more than a beverage. It became a cultural tradition , known as the Ethiopian coffee ceremony . Here, green coffee beans are roasted over an open fire, ground by hand, and brewed in a traditional clay pot, the jebena . The coffee ceremony is about community, respect, and presence, and is still a central part of Ethiopian culture today.

☕ Coffee's journey to the Arab world

From Ethiopia, coffee traveled to Yemen and the Arab world , where it became known as qahwa . Here, coffee quickly became popular, and the first coffee houses emerged. Coffee became a focal point for trade, conversation, and the sharing of knowledge, and played an important role in Middle Eastern culture.

☕ Coffee reaches the nobility of Europe

In the 17th century, coffee found its way to Europe via trade routes. Initially, coffee was a luxury drink, accessible only to Europe's nobility, royalty, and intellectuals. Coffeehouses appeared in cities like Venice, Paris, and London, becoming known as places for the exchange of ideas and debate.

☕ Coffee becomes a common thing in Europe

As coffee imports grew, coffee became more accessible to the general population. Coffeehouses and cafés proliferated, and coffee became a regular part of everyday life for ordinary Europeans. Coffee's popularity grew rapidly, and coffee became one of the world's most consumed beverages.

☕ Coffee for Scandinavia and Denmark

In the late 17th century , coffee reached Scandinavia and shortly after Denmark . At first, coffee was reserved for the wealthy, but throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, coffee became a natural part of Danish homes. Today, Denmark is known for its strong coffee culture and is among the countries in the world that drink the most coffee per capita.

The story of coffee began with Kaldi in Ethiopia and continues today with Kaldi Coffee . Our mission is to import authentic Ethiopian specialty coffee directly to Denmark with respect for the coffee's origins, the people behind it and the ancient traditions. From the birthplace of coffee in Ethiopia to the Danish coffee cup — Kaldi Coffee connects the past, quality and passion for coffee.