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A Short History of Coffee
Having conquered the world's taste buds and established itself as a staple in our daily lives, coffee has mirrored the moods and movements of society for centuries—yet, how much do we know about its history? In his riveting new book, A Short History of Coffee , Gordon Kerr investigates the fascinating history behind the global obsession with coffee, from its Ethiopian origins, the legends, myths, geographical locations and somewhat eccentric characters that have helped make it the staple that it is today.
Proliferating in high streets, towns and cities across Europe, coffee has become increasingly popular in recent years, and has succeeded in creating new and exciting hubs of commerce, news and debate, where deals could be done and revolution could be incited. Yet, despite coffee's very modern role, its origins stretch back to the days of intrepid travelers and merchants, who told tales of this new and exotic beverage that uplifted and enlivened the drinker.
Following the growth in popularity through to the 21st century explosion of coffee shop culture, A Short History of Coffee lifts the Styrofoam lid on both the business of coffee, as well as the pleasures that it brings its drinkers. Gordon Kerr masterfully balances an exploration of the history of this iconic beverage, whilst also delving into the frothy brew of business, politics, and money that accompanies it.
Proliferating in high streets, towns and cities across Europe, coffee has become increasingly popular in recent years, and has succeeded in creating new and exciting hubs of commerce, news and debate, where deals could be done and revolution could be incited. Yet, despite coffee's very modern role, its origins stretch back to the days of intrepid travelers and merchants, who told tales of this new and exotic beverage that uplifted and enlivened the drinker.
Following the growth in popularity through to the 21st century explosion of coffee shop culture, A Short History of Coffee lifts the Styrofoam lid on both the business of coffee, as well as the pleasures that it brings its drinkers. Gordon Kerr masterfully balances an exploration of the history of this iconic beverage, whilst also delving into the frothy brew of business, politics, and money that accompanies it.
256 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2021
16 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
Gordon Kerr
119 books24 followersGordon Kerr was born in the Scottish new town of East Kilbride and worked in the wine trade and then bookselling and publishing before becoming a full-time writer. He is the author of numerous books in a variety of genres, including art, history, true crime, travel and humour. He has a wife and two children and lives in Hampshire and—when he can—South West France.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 29, 2021
Thanks to the publishers and netgalley for a free copy in return for an open and honest review
This is an informative history of one the world's favourite drink Coffee from it's origins in east Africa to being grown around the world after the Dutch took plants to far east and the Americas also the influence coffee houses had in the development of the modern world.
This is an informative history of one the world's favourite drink Coffee from it's origins in east Africa to being grown around the world after the Dutch took plants to far east and the Americas also the influence coffee houses had in the development of the modern world.
January 16, 2025
If you like coffee this is the book for you.
The coffee plant almost certainly originated in the Ethiopian highlands where it was used by the locals to give them energy. It was pounded into a pulp and spread on bread. It wasn't really drunk until the end of the 10th Century, becoming popular in Arabia and the Ottoman Empire.
Turkish ambassadors spread the coffee habit to France. When the Ottoman siege of Vienna was lifted in 1683, they left behind vast amounts of coffee beans. These beans were used by George Franz Kolschitzky to start a coffee house in the city, the beginning of that city's relationship with coffee. Herr Kolschitzky had spent time in Turkey and was the only person who wanted the beans.
My favourite story is about Gabriel de Clieu who in 1723 escorted a single cutting from a coffee tree on a transatlantic journey from Nantes to Martinique. Someone onboard was trying to steal the cutting so de Clieu had to be really careful about hiding the plant and yet giving it enough daylight. The boat became becalmed and de Clieu had to share his freshwater ration with the plant. Anyway, they both survived, de Clieu planted the cutting and it prospered, so much so that fifty years later, there were nearly nineteen million coffee trees in Martinique.
The coffee plant almost certainly originated in the Ethiopian highlands where it was used by the locals to give them energy. It was pounded into a pulp and spread on bread. It wasn't really drunk until the end of the 10th Century, becoming popular in Arabia and the Ottoman Empire.
Turkish ambassadors spread the coffee habit to France. When the Ottoman siege of Vienna was lifted in 1683, they left behind vast amounts of coffee beans. These beans were used by George Franz Kolschitzky to start a coffee house in the city, the beginning of that city's relationship with coffee. Herr Kolschitzky had spent time in Turkey and was the only person who wanted the beans.
My favourite story is about Gabriel de Clieu who in 1723 escorted a single cutting from a coffee tree on a transatlantic journey from Nantes to Martinique. Someone onboard was trying to steal the cutting so de Clieu had to be really careful about hiding the plant and yet giving it enough daylight. The boat became becalmed and de Clieu had to share his freshwater ration with the plant. Anyway, they both survived, de Clieu planted the cutting and it prospered, so much so that fifty years later, there were nearly nineteen million coffee trees in Martinique.
January 9, 2023
Two things about the "Short History of Coffee" - it's not short and when they say History, they mean it with all dates, annotations et all. If you are someone who loves a cuppa and thought this book can somehow make you feel good - you may be mislead.
The book is well researched no doubt. From the origins of the concept of a berry extract to the myths surrounding it in early 16th century - the book gives you many references and storylines. The various incarnations of coffee across the various continents and the role it played in religious and political battles of the day - even leading to fall of kingdoms is anecdotal.
Once the product is established, the adoption among masses alongside historically significant events, the role of coffee houses across centuries and continents make for slightly boring read. This is not just the dates but there is a repetition in the storyline across time and geography.
I sort of sleepwalked a bit through 17th and 18th century till i came to things that were unique in the cultural context - the tea drinkers of colonies and the working class revolution. I actually liked the last few chapters on coffee machines, of what constitutes third wave coffee, the different press coffees and beans.
I am not a connoisseur and hence i probably just enjoy my regular caffeine dose. But i love it that it is part of my identity - a coffee lover. This book didn't do much to add to it - except maybe give me a few trivia to drop at coffee house discussions.
Nice cover though.
The book is well researched no doubt. From the origins of the concept of a berry extract to the myths surrounding it in early 16th century - the book gives you many references and storylines. The various incarnations of coffee across the various continents and the role it played in religious and political battles of the day - even leading to fall of kingdoms is anecdotal.
Once the product is established, the adoption among masses alongside historically significant events, the role of coffee houses across centuries and continents make for slightly boring read. This is not just the dates but there is a repetition in the storyline across time and geography.
I sort of sleepwalked a bit through 17th and 18th century till i came to things that were unique in the cultural context - the tea drinkers of colonies and the working class revolution. I actually liked the last few chapters on coffee machines, of what constitutes third wave coffee, the different press coffees and beans.
I am not a connoisseur and hence i probably just enjoy my regular caffeine dose. But i love it that it is part of my identity - a coffee lover. This book didn't do much to add to it - except maybe give me a few trivia to drop at coffee house discussions.
Nice cover though.
April 7, 2022
This book is full of coffee related facts, starting from the origins of coffee, travelling through the millennia describing how people’s love of coffee grew all around the world.
I especially enjoyed learning that to start with, in the XVII and XVIII century, some Europeans regarded coffee with suspicion and Gordon Kerr beautifully captures its controversy. I also chuckled when I read that one British Orientalist, Edward Pococke (1604-1691), wrote that if you drank coffee with milk, it could lead to leprosy! I was also surprised to learn that coffee was UK’s favourite drink and eventually was replaced by tea. I was saddened to read about child labour and slavery surrounding coffee business.
This book is perfect for all coffee lovers and would make a lovely present.
I especially enjoyed learning that to start with, in the XVII and XVIII century, some Europeans regarded coffee with suspicion and Gordon Kerr beautifully captures its controversy. I also chuckled when I read that one British Orientalist, Edward Pococke (1604-1691), wrote that if you drank coffee with milk, it could lead to leprosy! I was also surprised to learn that coffee was UK’s favourite drink and eventually was replaced by tea. I was saddened to read about child labour and slavery surrounding coffee business.
This book is perfect for all coffee lovers and would make a lovely present.
November 15, 2021
I am not a big fan of Coffee but found this story interesting. The author Gordon has done a cracking job on this factual story, there are facts on every page. When you make your cup of coffee in the morning, how many people actually think about where your coffee has come from. We go from the early history of coffee to methods used to make the coffee. It was a really interesting read and one where I think I might give coffee a try. This book is well researched and you can see how much the author has put his effort into writing this book.
August 13, 2025
Is it likely a bit condensened in its sweeping and broad view of the history of coffee? Maybe. For those who already know all of this history I can imagine its not likley bringing anything new to the table.
But that's the whole point of these "short history" books. For my purposes I dug it. I love this kind of history. I also love coffee, or more relevant to the subject at hand, "coffee culture." Having this bite size information accessible and coherent is a great way to weave coffee drinking into that broader narrative.
Some things that stood out for me:
1. How coffee follows the history of pretty much everything in terms of its emergence leading to attempts at prohibitions. It's actually rather comlcal seeing how this follows the movement of coffee from place to place, the same story repeating itself over and over. All of these prohobitions had one problem- coffee drinkers.
2. It's easy to forget that coffee did not start in Europe, for as much as the whole Veneitan take over transformed it from a cultural-political entity into an artform. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of its early presence is its associtiation with conversation spaces, be it philosophy or politics. Coffee sits at the heart of much of the modern worlds formation. So much so that when it moved into Constantinople, the barista wasn't the primary position being filled, the conversation starter was. They actually employed people who's sole purpose was to foster the art of conversation.
3. The further we get into history of course, the further we get into its mass production. Ironically, the further we get into its mass production, the more relevant and important recovering the roots of the coffee process becomes, underlying the two central classes that have often lingered underneath its popularization, on micro and macro levels.
4. It took 7 years to figure out instant coffee. And it came from the same place that created condensed milk.
5. Cereal companies played a significant role in developing American coffee culture
6. Venice turned it into an artform, Paris turned it into an image, London turned it into politics, America turned it into a marketing tool and a stock market
7. There are alternate histories that can easily be drawn in which coffee never becomes a globally recognized drink. The biggest reason it does? War. At every turn where coffee moves from one territory to another lies a war. That and slavery of course, although slavery belongs to the later centuries
8. The emergence of coffee came about from the field of medicines. The sorts of medicines that belong to an era where such things were the products of plants, herbs, spices and the like
But that's the whole point of these "short history" books. For my purposes I dug it. I love this kind of history. I also love coffee, or more relevant to the subject at hand, "coffee culture." Having this bite size information accessible and coherent is a great way to weave coffee drinking into that broader narrative.
Some things that stood out for me:
1. How coffee follows the history of pretty much everything in terms of its emergence leading to attempts at prohibitions. It's actually rather comlcal seeing how this follows the movement of coffee from place to place, the same story repeating itself over and over. All of these prohobitions had one problem- coffee drinkers.
2. It's easy to forget that coffee did not start in Europe, for as much as the whole Veneitan take over transformed it from a cultural-political entity into an artform. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of its early presence is its associtiation with conversation spaces, be it philosophy or politics. Coffee sits at the heart of much of the modern worlds formation. So much so that when it moved into Constantinople, the barista wasn't the primary position being filled, the conversation starter was. They actually employed people who's sole purpose was to foster the art of conversation.
3. The further we get into history of course, the further we get into its mass production. Ironically, the further we get into its mass production, the more relevant and important recovering the roots of the coffee process becomes, underlying the two central classes that have often lingered underneath its popularization, on micro and macro levels.
4. It took 7 years to figure out instant coffee. And it came from the same place that created condensed milk.
5. Cereal companies played a significant role in developing American coffee culture
6. Venice turned it into an artform, Paris turned it into an image, London turned it into politics, America turned it into a marketing tool and a stock market
7. There are alternate histories that can easily be drawn in which coffee never becomes a globally recognized drink. The biggest reason it does? War. At every turn where coffee moves from one territory to another lies a war. That and slavery of course, although slavery belongs to the later centuries
8. The emergence of coffee came about from the field of medicines. The sorts of medicines that belong to an era where such things were the products of plants, herbs, spices and the like
July 3, 2024
Like a cup of strong, black coffee, this book is filling, awakening, and delicious while also bitter.
Kerr takes the reader through the world history of coffee, from its vague late-medieval origins in Yemen, to its current status of global domination, how it got there, and what events it created in its wake.
What surprised me the most was, whenever coffee was introduced to a new area - no matter where or what the religion / culture / time period / social mores of that place, those in power would try to ban it once they realized this drink, unlike alcoholic drinks, leaves the drinker awake and remembering, and that people were drinking coffee and talking to each other, and not forgetting what they said. ...Uh oh.
But, such is the power of the drink, none of the bans anywhere, from Iran to England, were able to stick.
Kerr doesn't hold back on pointing out the terrible human cost of coffee, as demands led to a vast amount of slavery - slavery that has by no means gone away.
Coffee has had a large impact on the past few centuries of world history, and it was fascinating to follow its journey from being consumed by (possibly) one lone goat herder to billions of people today.
February 20, 2024
I'd say this was a relatively extensive history of coffee, but overall I learned a lot. I think this was a perfectly informative (ex. the overall evolution of coffee, how different cultures engage in the coffee experience, the history of coffeeshops in general, etc.) while also not being afraid to discuss the dark side of the coffee industry (ex. slavery, attempts of prohibition, the corporation aspect in general, etc). Highly recommend to coffee lovers and those interested in learning more about the Food & Beverage industry.
October 4, 2021
An interesting, informative and entertaining story of coffee since it was discovered in Renaissance to our times.
The book is well written and well researched even if there's not a lot of details.
I liked it and it's recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
The book is well written and well researched even if there's not a lot of details.
I liked it and it's recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
August 11, 2021
*A Short History of Coffee* is exactly what it sounds like and I really enjoyed reading it.
Given that it's a "short history," no aspect of the rise and spread of coffee popularity is covered in intimate detail. I would have been happy to read more about coffee, but I understand that others might have a shorter attention span for the minute details of history. I think Kerr could have given more focus on the human rights abuses associated with coffee as a cash crop, but that is my only criticism on this front.
The history aspect of this book covers the Renaissance-era discovery of coffee beans in Yemen and comes up to the advent of Starbucks and the spread of its popularity. I have previously read academic literature on coffee culture in the Ottoman Empire and how the rise of the coffee house gave [male] citizens leisure time, so I appreciated expanding my knowledge further.
Given that it's a "short history," no aspect of the rise and spread of coffee popularity is covered in intimate detail. I would have been happy to read more about coffee, but I understand that others might have a shorter attention span for the minute details of history. I think Kerr could have given more focus on the human rights abuses associated with coffee as a cash crop, but that is my only criticism on this front.
The history aspect of this book covers the Renaissance-era discovery of coffee beans in Yemen and comes up to the advent of Starbucks and the spread of its popularity. I have previously read academic literature on coffee culture in the Ottoman Empire and how the rise of the coffee house gave [male] citizens leisure time, so I appreciated expanding my knowledge further.
October 1, 2021
A thoroughly enjoyable read for coffee lovers and history buffs alike. Covers the history of coffee and its place in world history in an accessible way so that even those among us who aren't coffee fans will find it fascinating.
I would recommend this book.
I would recommend this book.
March 31, 2022
First Amazon, the Beta interface is terrible.
There's a new edition - Audiobook. Can I mark that in the new Beta - no!
Otherwise, a sequential, straightforward set of college term papers about Coffee in xxxxx (where xxxxx is a country). Oddly entertaining.
(I rate on a curve)
There's a new edition - Audiobook. Can I mark that in the new Beta - no!
Otherwise, a sequential, straightforward set of college term papers about Coffee in xxxxx (where xxxxx is a country). Oddly entertaining.
(I rate on a curve)
October 23, 2024
Delightful find for my favorite drink! Amazing to learn that all the various coffee's we drink originated in Africa, and the political and religious interference with drinking coffee, plus the significant role of "coffee house's" in our history.
December 18, 2024
Exhaustive history of coffee. Much of it fascinating and the writing is good stylistically, but has boring stretches and lacks overarching 'narrative' structure and/or interesting anecdotes to keep interest. Pushed through to the end by sheer force of will.
December 31, 2021
Researched and presented well, this history and geography of a product joins my growing list of books that are just as good as historical fiction at teaching the story of our past.
March 17, 2022
I can honestly say that I had no idea of how rich and interesting the history of coffee is and this book was quite eye opening in that regard. I'm enjoying my coffee even more every day :)
July 7, 2022
Fun read.
December 28, 2022
A nice history of coffee. Quick and not exceedingly deep but acceptable.
March 2, 2023
I read books like these so I can tell my wife fun facts about things she doesn't care about. This book was OK for this purpose but not as good as the history of bananas I read before this.
October 11, 2023
There were a lot of interesting facts, fun fact.
Those are the kind "good to know" but kinda useless knowledge.
I disliked the fact the book go with enormous amount of timeline. it drove me crazy with, which year happened what.
Those are the kind "good to know" but kinda useless knowledge.
I disliked the fact the book go with enormous amount of timeline. it drove me crazy with, which year happened what.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews