The discovery of coffee's effects by a goatherd named Kaldi in Ethiopia and the early uses of coffee by people.

• Kaldi noticed his goats became hyper after eating berries, which led to the discovery of coffee around 850 CE.
• People in Ethiopia foraged for wild coffee, made tea from its leaves, and created snacks and elixirs from its berries.

Coffee's spread to the Middle East and the establishment of coffeehouses.

• Coffee reached the Middle East via trade routes and gained popularity in the 1450s.
• Sufi worshippers in Yemen and people within the Ottoman Empire enjoyed coffee, leading to the creation of coffeehouses.

Coffee faced scrutiny but continued to expand globally, with coffeehouses becoming cultural centers.

• Coffee was put on trial in Mecca in 1511 but was deemed permissible, leading to the spread of coffeehouses.
• Yemen began farming coffee and exporting it from Al-Makha, while coffee spread to India, Java, and Europe.

Coffeehouses in Europe became hubs of social and intellectual activity, and coffee cultivation spread through colonies.

• London's first coffeehouses opened in the 1650s, becoming social and intellectual hotbeds.
• European empires started coffee-growing in colonies with enslaved or exploited workers.

Technological advancements in coffee production and the continued exploitation of coffee workers.

• Brazil dominated coffee exports by 1906, and the first commercial espresso machine was showcased at the Milan World's Fair.
• Despite the popularity of coffee breaks in factories, coffee workers faced inhumane conditions and insufficient compensation.

Efforts to address ethical issues in coffee production and the threats posed by climate change.

• Certification efforts aim to ensure ethical standards in coffee production, including minimum wage and sustainable farming.
• Climate change threatens the coffee-producing 'Bean Belt', leading to research on resilient coffee hybrids.