Dr. Jonathan Morris

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.

Jonathan Morris, a research professor in history specializing in coffee, teams up with comedian Sophie Duker to unravel the rich tapestry of coffee's past. They explore its intriguing origins in Ethiopia and Yemen, debunk myths like the Pope's label of 'devil’s brew', and highlight its rise in 17th-century Europe with coffee houses as hubs of intellectual exchange. Fun anecdotes reveal coffee's role in the American Civil War and its evolution into a cultural icon. Prepare for a lively discussion filled with history, humor, and caffeinated insights!

In this thought-provoking discussion, historian Jonathan Morris, author of *Coffee: A Global History*, and Peter D'Sena, a key figure in the decolonising academic movement, unpack the dark colonial roots of coffee. They reveal how colonial exploitation shaped the coffee industry and its lingering impact on racial identities today. The conversation delves into the legacies of indentured labor and the need to rethink our coffee consumption, urging a reconsideration of historical injustices and a path toward decolonising this beloved beverage.