What is coffee?

It is believed that coffee (the name that is currently given to the coffee plant) is originally from the province of “Kaffa”, in Ethiopia, where it grew wild. In that region, the plant was called “bunn”.

Once the energized effects of the fruit of this plant are discovered, it began to expand in the Arab territory, where the plant was called “qahhwat al-bu”, then eventually it was shortened to “qahwa” which in classical Arabic means “invigorating”.

In the fifteenth century, the plant continues its expansive journey by the Arabs, who knowing its energy effects, making it an important commercial product and introduced it in Persia, Egypt, North Africa, and Turkey.

In the beginning, the introduction of the plant in these regions sparked great debate. However, over time, it was gaining acceptance by the main rulers and religious leaders. It is here when coffee is called by the Turks as “kahve”.

Coffee continues to expand this time thanks to Venetian merchants arrives in Europe around 1600.

At first, Pope Clement VIII was advised to ban it, as it represented a threat from the infidels. The Pope after having tasted the drink decided to baptize it, expressing that leaving only his infidels the pleasure of this drink would be a shame.

The drink was well received by the monks since its effects allowed them to stay awake for a long time during the long days of prayers, and also helped them keep their spirits clean. It is in Italy where they call coffee as “caffe” and it is from here that it acquires the name we all know, with very small modifications related to the different languages.

We use this word to refer to the plant, instead of calling it coffee (common name) or Coffea arabica or Coffea canephora (scientific name).

In the same way, we use the word coffee to refer to the fruit or seed of coffee. The fruit is called cherry coffee. Its shape is that of a sphere somewhat taller than wide (shaped like an olive) depending on the variety when they are ripe they can be red or yellow color. Inside the cherry, there are two cores, each with a seed.

But the word coffee extends to other definitions that we use daily.

An example of this is that we use this word to refer to the place where this drink is prepared and marketed and which also serves as a meeting place to socialize. It is often said for example “Let’s meet at the cafe”.

Another use that we give corresponds to shades of color, for example, brown eyes.