How Coffee Came to the World

Coffee is a drink that many people love today. But where did it come from?

Coffee is a drink that many people love today. But where did it come from? How did it become so popular around the world?

The story begins in Africa. Long ago, people in Ethiopia found something interesting. They saw that animals ate small red fruits from coffee trees. After eating these, the animals seemed to have more energy. They moved around more and did not seem tired.

People decided to try these fruits too. Inside each one was a small bean. People learned to cook these beans in hot water. The water became dark and had a strong taste. When they drank it, they felt more awake. They could work longer and think better.

Soon, this drink moved to other places. Traders carried it to new lands. It went east first. In Arab countries, people liked it very much. They made special houses where people could sit and drink coffee together. These houses became important meeting places.

Then coffee moved to Europe. At first, some people did not like it. They thought it tasted strange. But slowly, more and more people started to drink it. By a few hundred years ago, it was very popular. Coffee houses opened in big cities. People went there to drink, talk, and share ideas.

People wanted to grow more coffee. They took it to South America and other warm places. Coffee grew well in these areas. Soon, many countries were making it and selling it around the world.

Today, coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. Millions of people drink it every day. Some people drink it in the morning to wake up. Others drink it to relax with friends. The drink that started in Africa is now everywhere.

Take a moment to think about what you read.

  1. Where did the story of coffee begin?
    a. south america
    b. europe
    c. africa
    d. asia
  2. What did people first notice about animals that ate coffee fruits?
    a. they became sick
    b. they slept more
    c. they had more energy
    d. they lost interest in food
  3. What part of the coffee fruit do people use to make coffee?
    a. the skin
    b. the leaf
    c. the root
    d. the bean
  4. What were coffee houses used for in Arab countries?
    a. sleeping places
    b. meeting and talking
    c. selling animals
    d. cooking food only
  5. How did people in Europe first feel about coffee?
    a. they loved it right away
    b. they thought it was too sweet
    c. they thought it tasted strange
    d. they thought it was dangerous
  6. Why did people take coffee plants to other warm places?
    a. to decorate gardens
    b. to grow and sell more coffee
    c. to feed animals
    d. to stop trading

Answers:

  1. c
  2. c
  3. d
  4. b
  5. c
  6. b