Coffee is now enjoyed all around the world. But have you ever wondered when and where it was discovered? How did it spread across the globe? Let's dive into the fascinating world of coffee!

■ Coffee Beans are Actually Seeds! First, let's talk about what coffee is. We commonly refer to them as "coffee beans," but did you know that they are actually seeds? Coffee beans are the seeds of the coffee cherry, harvested from the coffee tree. The cherries are round and red when they're on the tree, and inside them are light green seeds, which are the coffee beans. The raw beans are called green beans, and after being roasted, they are called roasted beans. We grind these roasted beans and extract the flavor with hot water or water, and that's how we get coffee. Roasted beans can also be eaten as a snack.

By the way, coffee is currently cultivated in regions within 25 degrees north and south of the equator, an area known as the "Coffee Belt."

■ Was Coffee First Drunk in Ethiopia? Coffee has been growing naturally in the wild forests of present-day Ethiopia since before the Common Era. It's believed that humans discovered coffee around the 3rd century.

There's a legend in Ethiopia about a goat herder named Kaldi from the Kaffa region. Kaldi and his goats stumbled upon some red cherries in the forest, and after eating them, they became energetic and started dancing. These cherries turned out to be coffee cherries, and the name "coffee" is said to have originated from the region's name, Kaffa.

Back then, people fermented or brewed the red coffee cherries like medicine. It wasn't until the 13th century that people began roasting and brewing coffee beans as we do today. By the 16th century, coffee tree cultivation began, and by the 19th century, coffee was being exported. From there, coffee as a beverage spread worldwide.

■ A Coffee Ceremony Similar to the Japanese Tea Ceremony? In Ethiopia, there's a set of rituals for brewing and serving coffee called the "Coffee Ceremony." It's performed when hosting guests or family members.

The ceremony has a specific order and purpose for each cup poured, and after enjoying the coffee with salt or other flavors, it's finished with herbs. The process is quite intricate and is mostly overseen by women, as it's considered an important aspect of a woman's etiquette. It might be somewhat similar to the Japanese tea ceremony.

However, it's not a formal affair. The ceremony emphasizes taking the time to enjoy conversations and snacks. This custom is deeply ingrained in Ethiopian culture.

So, how did you enjoy learning about the secrets of coffee? In this article, we focused mainly on the story of coffee from its origins in Ethiopia. Coffee has evolved in fascinating ways, blending with various histories and cultures. One thing that seems to be consistent is that spaces with coffee encourage relaxed communication.

There are many more stories about coffee waiting to be explored. We'll share more of them in future articles!