

A History of Coffee
James Harper
A History of Coffee is the story of how a tiny psychoactive seed changed the world and shapes our lives today.
Across six episodes, documentary maker James Harper and professional historian Jonathan Morris narrate how humans race coffee across oceans to keep up with demand for this addictive drink.
Coffee creates enormous fortunes for some, and misery for others. Sometimes the environment benefits, but more often it is plundered.
If we want to make coffee a more equitable industry that’s also kinder to the environment, a place to start is understanding the stories and systems that put the coffee into your cup this morning.
Press the Subscribe button so you don’t miss future episodes!
Follow Jonathan Morris @coffeehistoryjm and James Harper @filterstoriespodcast.
Read full transcripts at www.historyofcoffee.org.
Across six episodes, documentary maker James Harper and professional historian Jonathan Morris narrate how humans race coffee across oceans to keep up with demand for this addictive drink.
Coffee creates enormous fortunes for some, and misery for others. Sometimes the environment benefits, but more often it is plundered.
If we want to make coffee a more equitable industry that’s also kinder to the environment, a place to start is understanding the stories and systems that put the coffee into your cup this morning.
Press the Subscribe button so you don’t miss future episodes!
Follow Jonathan Morris @coffeehistoryjm and James Harper @filterstoriespodcast.
Read full transcripts at www.historyofcoffee.org.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 17, 2023 • 44min
4) Just Friends? America’s love affair with coffee
America is coffee-obsessed. From Central Perk’s red couch being the centre of major plot twists in Friends to the fact the average American drank more than two cups a day.
And the conventional explanation is pretty straightforward: an English colonist introduces coffee to Jamestown in 1607. 150 years later Americans rebel against the British by throwing tea chests into Boston harbour and drinking coffee becomes their patriotic duty. Oh, and of course who won the civil war? The side that had the coffee.
But, actually, the truth is much more surprising, and reveals a much more counter-intuitive story of America.
In this final episode of Series Two of A History of Coffee, we offer you a story of America through the lens of a black drink, another black drink, a third black drink and perhaps even a fourth.
A History of Coffee is a collaboration between documentary maker James Harper of the Filter Stories coffee podcast and Jonathan Morris, Professor of History and author of ‘Coffee: A Global History’.
Don't miss future episodes by pressing the 'Subscribe' or 'Follow' button in your podcast player.
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Please spread the word about A History of Coffee!
Follow us on Instagram - Jonathan (@coffeehistoryjm) and James (@filterstoriespodcast) - and tag us in an Instagram story.
Write a review on Apple Podcasts (http://apple.co/3jY42aJ)
Leave a 5 star rating on Spotify (https://spoti.fi/3K2h4RQ)
This free educational content for the coffee community was made possible by Rancilio, manufacturers of professional Italian espresso machines for your home and coffee bar for almost 100 years
(https://bit.ly/3U3oLMz)
Read Jonathan’s book, ‘Coffee: A Global History’ (https://amzn.to/3dihAfU)
Listen to other coffee documentaries on James’ Filter Stories podcast (https://bit.ly/3ajoT5e)
Download all episodes of this second series right now by subscribing to the ‘A History of Coffee’ podcast channel (http://bit.ly/2NArChO)
Learn how Brazil massively expanded output in episode three of the first series of A History of Coffee: Coffee Catches Fire (https://bit.ly/2NArChO)
Brew up some Yaupon Holly! (https://bit.ly/40R6IuY)
Discover Deb Hunter's All Things Tudor podcast (https://bit.ly/3L5OZet)
Subscribe to The Science of Coffee podcast

Apr 17, 2023 • 45min
3) Espresso Lungo: The slow road to Italy’s democratic espresso culture
One morning back in the ‘80s, Howard Schultz walks out of his Milan hotel, stumbles into an espresso bar, and fundamentally changes coffee history.
He discovered (and then popularises) the iconic, timeless Italian coffee experience: Rich thick coffee, an affordable price and great theatre.
But this Italian ritual is surprisingly young, so young that Howard Schultz was in school while some of it was being developed!
In this third episode of Series Two of A History of Coffee, we show you why for most of Italy’s history, coffee was thin, expensive, dull to watch…and that’s if you were lucky enough to even be drinking the real stuff at all!
A History of Coffee is a collaboration between documentary maker James Harper of the Filter Stories coffee podcast and Jonathan Morris, Professor of History and author of ‘Coffee: A Global History’.
-----------
Don't miss future episodes by pressing the 'Subscribe' or 'Follow' button in your podcast player
Please spread the word about A History of Coffee!
Follow us on Instagram - Jonathan (@coffeehistoryjm) and James (@filterstoriespodcast) - and tag us in an Instagram story.
Write a review on Apple Podcasts (http://apple.co/3jY42aJ)
Leave a 5 star rating on Spotify (https://spoti.fi/3K2h4RQ)
This free educational content for the coffee community was made possible by Rancilio, manufacturers of professional Italian espresso machines for your home and coffee bar for almost 100 years
(https://bit.ly/3U3oLMz)
Read Jonathan’s book, ‘Coffee: A Global History’ (https://amzn.to/3dihAfU)
Listen to other coffee documentaries on James’ Filter Stories podcast (https://bit.ly/3ajoT5e)
Download all episodes of this second series right now by subscribing to the ‘A History of Coffee’ podcast channel (http://bit.ly/2NArChO)
Go deeper into the story of espresso machines:
James' science podcast about Espresso Machine Technology
Neapolitan coffee maker (https://bit.ly/3zZCivl)
Espresso at 1906 World’s Fair in Milan (https://bit.ly/3MOX7kQ)
Rancilio's Museum, Officina Rancilio 1926 (https://bit.ly/3Q7vqTI)
"La Cornuta" espresso machine (https://bit.ly/41uBryd)
Rancilio's Berlin Showroom, the BER Rancilio Station (https://bit.ly/3mD0lNA)
Subscribe to The Science of Coffee podcast

Apr 17, 2023 • 48min
2) A Lasting Stain: Haiti, Colonialism and Coffee
Discover Haiti's transformation from a coffee powerhouse to a nation grappling with poverty. Uncover the brutal realities of slavery on plantations and the fight for independence that birthed the first black republic. Explore how revolutionary ideas spread through French coffeehouses and the pressing need for investment to revitalize Haiti's coffee sector. The contrast between Haiti's rich coffee legacy and its modern struggles paints a poignant picture of a nation longing for change.

Apr 17, 2023 • 46min
1) It’s Just Coffee? How coffee houses changed the world
Coffee shops have a rich history as epicenters of social interaction and revolutionary ideas. From their origins in Damascus to the bustling streets of London, these hubs fostered political and artistic dialogue that challenged authority. Personal narratives during the Arab Spring reveal the cafes' vibrant role in discussions of change. As modern platforms echo these historical discussions, the enduring significance of coffee culture continues to shape society. Dive into how a simple cup of coffee has sparked movements and connections throughout history!

Apr 3, 2023 • 5min
Introducing: Series Two of A History of Coffee
We're back with more stories about the tiny psychoactive seed that changed the world and continues to shape our lives today.
In Series Two, we reveal how the invention of the coffee shop revolutionised societies, why colonialism, racism and coffee have kept once prosperous Haiti poor today, how Italy's revered espresso culture was created, and we debunk many myths around America's supposed love affair with coffee.
If we want to make coffee a more equitable industry that’s also kinder to the environment, a place to start is understanding the stories and systems that put the coffee into your cup this morning.
Press the ‘Subscribe’ button so you don’t miss future episodes.
A History of Coffee is a collaboration between documentary maker James Harper of the Filter Stories coffee podcast and Jonathan Morris, Professor of History and author of ‘Coffee: A Global History’.
Follow us on Instagram! Jonathan Morris @coffeehistoryjm and James Harper @filterstoriespodcast.
This free educational content was made possible with the support of Rancilio, manufacturers of professional Italian espresso machines for almost 100 years.
Join us live at the London Coffee Festival 2023! We have three time slots for you to choose from: Saturday, 22 April, 11:00-11:30 and 14:30-15:00, and Sunday, 23 April,14:30-15:00.
Subscribe to The Science of Coffee podcast

May 31, 2022 • 46min
BONUS: Coffee’s Ticking Time Bomb
Scott Bentley, founder of Caffeine Magazine, Jools Walker, best-selling cycling author, and Stuart McCook, a coffee history professor, delve into the intriguing history of Sri Lankan coffee. They discuss it as a once-thriving industry, now facing ecological challenges. The countries of Ethiopia and Yemen are explored for their historical significance. The conversation touches on coffee leaf rust's devastating impact, the shifts in the global coffee market, and innovative solutions to revive Sri Lanka's coffee legacy, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity in farming.

Feb 15, 2022 • 28min
BONUS: A History of Tea
Laszlo Montgomery, a producer passionate about Chinese history and culture, shares a captivating exploration of tea's ancient roots and its colonial journey. He delves into tea’s medicinal reputation in Europe and contrasts its cultural significance with coffee. The conversation highlights key figures in the trade, like Dutch and Portuguese merchants, while also discussing the evolution of tea production. Montgomery even introduces the intriguing origins of Bohi tea, showcasing how necessity leads to innovation in the tea trade.

Jun 22, 2021 • 48min
BONUS: Decolonising Coffee History
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.

May 25, 2021 • 31min
BONUS: Stimulating stories or fantastic flavours: what sells coffee?
Exploring the value of storytelling in coffee and consumer interest in knowing the origin and story behind coffee. Introducing the coffee tasting and Mama Vello, the unbiased coffee adjudicator. Discussing the journey of coffee from the moment it arrives at the roastery. Exploring the taste and flavors of 'Coffee for me' made by a female farmer named Luz Chacon.

May 13, 2021 • 47min
6) The Future of Coffee?
Discover the fascinating evolution of specialty coffee and its cultural significance. Explore the journey from mass production to unique micro lots, driven by pioneers in the industry. Delve into the challenges faced by small farmers amid climate change and market pressures. Learn how consumer choices can positively impact the coffee supply chain and support equitable practices. Plus, uncover the deeper implications of colonialism in coffee history and its relevance today.