You're Dead to Me History of Coffee (Radio Edit)
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Jul 4, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, historian Jonathan Morris shares insights on coffee's intriguing past. He explains its origins in medieval Ethiopia and its evolution through coffeehouses in Europe. The conversation delves into coffee's surprising roles in American culture, particularly during the Civil War. They also tackle popular myths, like whether the Pope labeled it 'the devil’s brew' and the story of the Ethiopian goatherd. Morris highlights coffee’s dual nature as a social drink and a medicinal item, weaving humor into its complex history.
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Goat Herder Coffee Myth
- The origin myth of coffee involves a goat herder named Kaldi who noticed his goats dancing after eating red berries.
- Kaldi tries the berries himself and shares them, leading to the creation of coffee as a beverage in Ethiopia.
Earliest Coffee Documentation
- The first clear mention of coffee is an Arabic manuscript from about 1515 by Al-Jazari.
- Coffee was introduced to Yemen from Ethiopia for Sufi mystics to stay awake during prayers, marking its earliest documented use.
Coffee as Social Drink
- Coffee spread through Middle Eastern trade routes from Yemen into major Islamic cities like Mecca and Cairo.
- Coffee became a social drink, especially among students, leading to the rise of coffeehouses.