A History of Coffee

Dive into the captivating world of coffee and its intriguing certifications. Discover the historical roots of Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance, and how they emerged to combat exploitation in the industry. Explore the paradox of these certifications, where farmers struggle for fair prices despite ethical labels. Unravel the complexities surrounding sustainability promises, and ponder the future of specialty coffee as it evolves. Join a colorful discussion that blends ethics, economics, and the quest for a better brewing experience.

Explore the quirky idea of aliens tasting coffee from the 1930s and 2020, revealing distinct flavor profiles. Delve into the rise of Robusta coffee in the market and its economic implications. Uncover how instant coffee revolutionized Brazil's coffee scene in the late 1930s with Nescafe's launch. Learn about the coffee crisis of the 1990s and its devastating toll on farmers, along with Vietnam's transformation of coffee production post-war. Lastly, reflect on the industry's sustainability challenges and the urgent need to change detrimental practices.

Discover how one Brazilian man's vast coffee empire could cover an entire European country! Learn about Brazil's emergence as a coffee giant and the shift from slavery to foreign labor post-abolition. Dive into the cultural impact of Brazilian coffee on American life, especially during the Civil War. Explore the evolution of coffee roasting from home kitchens to commercial machines, revealing both the benefits and costs of industrialization. Plus, get insights into the specialty coffee movement and engage with Brazilian coffee culture!

Delve into the bittersweet history of coffee, where luxury meets exploitation. Uncover the hidden costs of colonialism and how it shaped European coffee culture. Explore stories of enslaved individuals who suffered for the price of your daily brew. Learn about Babu Dhan, a legendary figure in coffee's journey from Yemen to India. Understand the oppressive dynamics on plantations and reflect on the environmental impact of today's coffee production. This narrative reveals how the beloved beverage transitioned from an elite luxury to an affordable commodity, rich with cultural significance.

Here’s a surprising fact: coffee was only invented around the time Michelangelo was chiselling his statue of David. Why did it take so long for humans to invent the cup of coffee? In this first episode of A History of Coffee, Jonathan and James unpack how humans figured out that delicious flavours were contained in the roasted seeds of a coffee tree’s cherries. The answer has nothing to do with dancing goats...but, in some ways, it has everything to do with a shepherd in the forests of Ethiopia. Press Subscribe so you don't miss future episodes! Watch James and Jonathan bust coffee myths at the Barista League's High Density conference, for free: http://bit.ly/3pxtlSa A History of Coffee is a collaboration between James Harper of the Filter Stories - Coffee Documentaries podcast and Jonathan Morris, Professor of History and author of ‘Coffee: A Global History’. Visit Jonathan’s Instagram (https://bit.ly/37eMS3F) and Twitter (https://bit.ly/3jNr9ou) to see Ethiopian coffee ceremonies and historical interpretations of Kaldi. Explore James’ Filter Stories Instagram (https://bit.ly/2Mlkk0O) and Twitter (https://bit.ly/3baTsJk) to marvel at ancient coffee growing techniques in the mountains of Yemen. Help other people find the show by leaving a review on... Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/3jY42aJ Castbox: http://bit.ly/38sXdcH Read Jonathan’s book, ‘Coffee: A Global History’ here: https://amzn.to/3dihAfU Listen to other coffee documentaries on James’ Filter Stories podcast: https://bit.ly/3ajoT5e Coffee and brewing equipment featured in this episode: Ethiopia - Dimtu Tera Farm, Guji, Odo Shakiso. Roasted by 19 Grams (Berlin) Yemen - Hasan Al-Salool, Jewain village, West Haraz. Roasted by Darkwoods (UK) Comandante hand grinder Sage electric grinder Subscribe to The Science of Coffee podcast

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! Read Jonathan’s book, ‘Coffee: A Global History’ here: https://amzn.to/3dihAfU Listen to other coffee documentaries on James’ Filter Stories podcast: https://bit.ly/3ajoT5e Subscribe to The Science of Coffee podcast