The origin of the word “coffee” entered English in 1598 via Italian caffè. This word was created via Turkish kahve, which in turn came into being via Arabic qahwa, a truncation of qahhwat al-bun or wine of the bean. Traditional Islam prohibits the use of alcohol as a beverage, and coffee provided a suitable alternative to wine.

There are several legendary accounts of the origin of the drink itself. One account involves the Yemenite Sufi mystic Shaikh ash-Shadhili. When traveling in Ethiopia, the legend goes, he observed goats of unusual vitality, and, upon trying the berries that the goats had been eating, experienced the same vitality. A similar myth attributes the discovery of coffee to an Ethiopian goatherder named Kaldi and the Legend of Dancing Goats.

One possible origin of both coffee the beverage and the name is the Kingdom of Kaffa in Ethiopia, where the coffee plant originated (its name there is bunn or bunna).

Coffee has become the second most valuable commodity in the world after oil. Coffee originated in the highlands of Ethiopia during the 15th century, and 125 million people today depend on coffee for their livelihood. The World Bank estimates that nearly 500 million people are involved in the coffee business, if you include the people who make the cardboard coffee cups. Coffee has become big business, and with the recent explosion in coffeehouses around the world, it shows no sign of slowing down.

Coffee is a widely consumed beverage prepared from the roasted seeds – commonly referred to as beans – of the coffee plant. Though sometimes served cold, it is typically served hot. A typical 7 fluid ounce (ca. 207 mL) cup of coffee contains 80-140 milligrams of caffeine, depending on the bean and method of roasting and preparation.Some people drink coffee “black” (plain), others sweeten their coffee or add milk, coffee cream or non-dairy coffee creamer. The majority of all caffeine consumed worldwide comes from coffee, as much as 85% in some countries.Coffee, along with tea and water, is one of the most popular beverages world-wide, its volume amounting to about a third of that of tap water in North America and Europe.In 2003, coffee was the world’s sixth largest agricultural export in value, behind wheat, maize, soybeans, palm oil and sugar.