The drink’s origins

Numerous studies into the origins of coffee have led to the conclusion that the coffee plant and, as a result, the beverage coffee were unknown among ancient pre-Christian and pre-Islamic civilisations.

Nonetheless, there are number of references in history and literature that do seem to support the hypothesis that coffee was already in use in more ancient times.

In his treatise on Homer's Iliad, Pietro della Valle (1533-1617) maintains that the mysterious, magical beverage “nepenthe, infused in cups” cited in the fourth book is a clear reference to coffee.

An 18th century text by G. Paschius, on the other hand, deduces references to coffee from certain verses of the Bible,
while others maintain that coffee was among the fabulous gifts brought to Solomon by the queen of Sheba.
While the origins of coffee have undoubtedly become inextricably intertwined with legend, it cannot be discounted that there may be some truth even in these fantastic tales.

An ancient Arabic legend recounts that coffee was invented by the Archangel Gabriel as a beverage and a medicine to cure the health of the prophet Mohammed.
However, the best known of all legends about coffee is probably the one ascribed to the Maronite monk Antonio Fausto Nairone. According to his story, while taking his goats out to pasture, an Arab goatherd named Kaddi noted that after eating the reddish berries of a certain plant, his animals began showing signs of excitement and agitation.