The History of Coffee and its Shaping by Globalisation
Introduction:
Globalisation is a historical force that has significantly impacted various aspects of our lives, including the products we consume daily. One such product that has a fascinating history shaped by globalisation is coffee. This essay explores the evolution of coffee and its journey from its origins in Ethiopia to being a globally consumed beverage, examining how globalisation has played a crucial role in its history.
Step 1: Understanding Globalisation as a Historical Force:
Globalisation refers to the interconnectedness of economies, societies, and cultures worldwide, allowing for the exchange of goods, services, ideas, and information on a global scale. This process has accelerated over the centuries, particularly in the era of European colonialism and the subsequent development of global markets. Globalisation has transformed the world through trade, technological advancements, and cultural exchange.
Step 2: Choosing a Daily Product: Coffee
Coffee is a product that has become an integral part of many people's daily routine worldwide. It is consumed by millions of people globally and has a rich history spanning several centuries. From its origins in Ethiopia to its worldwide popularity today, coffee showcases the transformative power of globalisation.
Step 3: Exploring the History of Coffee:
Coffee is believed to have originated in Ethiopia, where it was first discovered and consumed for its stimulating effects. From there, coffee spread to the Arabian Peninsula in the 15th century, specifically Yemen, where it began to be cultivated on a larger scale. Coffeehouses, known as qahveh khaneh, emerged in Yemen as social and cultural hubs where people would gather to socialise, discuss politics, and drink coffee.
With the expansion of trade routes and the rise of the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century, coffee found its way to Istanbul, Turkey. Coffeehouses soon became an essential aspect of Ottoman culture, fostering intellectual and cultural exchange. The Ottoman rulers saw the potential of coffee as a commodity and established regulations and taxation on coffee trade.
The Arabian Peninsula and Turkey acted as the gateways for coffee to enter Europe in the 17th century. The first European coffeehouses emerged in Venice, Italy, and soon spread to other major European cities like London and Paris. Coffeehouses became centers for socializing, conducting business, and exchanging ideas, thus playing a significant role in shaping European culture.
European colonial powers began cultivating coffee in their colonies, such as Dutch plantations in Indonesia and French plantations in the Caribbean. This expansion of coffee cultivation and trade fueled by European colonisation marked a pivotal moment in coffee's globalisation. It turned coffee into a global commodity accessible to people across different continents.
The Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries further fueled coffee's globalisation. Advances in transportation and communication technology enabled faster and more efficient global trade. This led to a surge in coffee production and consumption, making it affordable and readily available to a broader population.
Step 4: Connecting Coffee to Historical Understanding of Globalisation:
The history of coffee clearly demonstrates how globalisation has shaped its journey from a regional African product to a globally consumed beverage. Global trade, facilitated by colonialism and later technological advancements, allowed coffee to transcend geographical boundaries and become a symbol of global interconnectedness.
Globalisation enabled coffee to become a significant driver of cultural exchange. Coffeehouses served as meeting places for people from different backgrounds, promoting intellectual discussions and the exchange of ideas. These spaces facilitated the spread of knowledge and social interactions, thus playing a vital role in shaping various cultures worldwide.
Conclusion:
The history of coffee showcases the transformative power of globalisation. From its humble beginnings in Ethiopia to its global popularity today, coffee's journey is a testament to how interconnected our world has become. Global trade, colonialism, and technological advancements have played crucial roles in shaping coffee's history and turning it into a globally consumed beverage. The story of coffee serves as a reminder of how globalisation has reshaped not only the products we consume but also our societies and cultures.
. Choose one product or object and discuss how its history has
been shaped by globalisation. Think of any familiar fashion, food, or cultural
examples. WRITE an essay of 600 words using chicago footnote intext referencing
To help you answer this question, follow these steps.
1) Understand Globalisation as a historical force.
2) Choose a product you use every day.
3) Explore the history of your chosen product.
4) Connect your chosen product to your historical understanding of globalisation
1 answer