Quick answerThe earliest reliable records of coffee drinking come from Sufi communities in Yemen in the 15th century. They brewed a drink from roasted coffee beans, called qahwa, to stay awake and focused during night prayers and remembrance (dhikr). This practice spread with travelling scholars and pilgrims across the Islamic world.
Who were the Sufis?
Sufis are Muslim mystics devoted to spiritual practice, often gathering at night.
Qahwa: the name
The Arabic word qahwa (coffee) is the root of Turkish kahve, Italian caffè and English coffee.
From devotion to daily life
Coffee moved from religious gatherings to homes and coffee houses, becoming a centerpiece of hospitality.
Frequently asked questions
Who first drank coffee?
Documented history points to Yemeni Sufis in the 1400s.
What about the goatherd Kaldi?
The Kaldi story is a later legend, not a historical record.
Did Sufis also drink qishr?
Husk-based drinks were also used in Yemen.
Share a cup with history: Al-Aqeeq coffees.
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