
The Origins of Coffee
Where does coffee come from? And why do different coffees taste different?
Read our expert guide to where coffee is grown, the types of bean and the all-important roasting process.
Where does coffee come from?
Ever wondered why we started drinking coffee? Or how it became a beloved brew all over the world? Well, we’ve got the answers. Legend has it that a 9th-century Ethiopian goatherd discovered coffee when his goats became unusually energetic after eating what looked like cherries. He took the fruit to a holy man, who then made the world’s first coffee and the rest is history.
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Where does coffee come from?
In 1930, the Brazilian government asked us to help preserve their huge coffee surpluses. The idea was to produce a quality cup of coffee that could be made by simply adding water. After eight years of research, NESCAFÉ was born and the coffee industry was revolutionized.
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When Coffee meets Culture
Coffee houses started in Cairo, Mecca and Damascus, where men would gather to socialise and play games. Eventually, they were popping up in Europe and became popular with intellectuals who would discuss enlightenment ideals and brew revolutions. Today, coffee shops have become a part of everyday life all over the world.
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From Bean to Brew
Before becoming a brew, coffee is carefully farmed and delicately roasted. There are different kinds of coffee and different ways to roast them, each of which results in a unique taste and distinct flavour.
There are many names for the different kinds of roast, but they generally fall under these four broad categories:
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Light Roast
A light roast has a mild and toasted grain taste with a light body, pronounced acidity and no oil on the surface of the beans. The lightest roast is called Light Cinnamon.
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Medium Roast
A medium roast will have more body and less acidity than a light roast, but also has no oil on the bean surfaces. It’s commonly known as American Roast.
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Full Roast
A full roast is dark, full-bodied and with a well-developed aroma. A Full City Roast is strong, whereas a Viennese Roast is rich brown in colour and slightly oily.
High Roast
High roasts are the strongest and their smoky-sweet flavour can also be bitter. French Roast beans are almost black. Italian Roast beans are black, caramelised and oily.