You wake up in the morning to the sound of an alarm. Your eyes are bleary, your body is stiff, and your brain is just waking up. Shuffling out of your bedroom, you find yourself on autopilot, beelining to the kitchen.
The routine is the same every day. Filter, beans, water, let it do its thing. In 10 minutes, you’ll have your daily dose of energy ready to go in your favorite mug, so you can truly start your day.
Coffee is a minuscule part of our lives, but its meaning is much greater. In that singular cup, we find stability, routine, energy, connection, and community—depending on where you get your coffee from.
If we have nothing else in this world, we have our perfect cup of coffee, and sometimes that’s enough. We want to share a little bit about your favorite drink and why it continues to be a momentous part of our everyday lives.
A Brief History
The coffee plant was first discovered in the 9th century in Ethiopia, after a goat herder noticed his goats were struggling to sleep after eating ‘cherries’ from one of the nearby trees. After sharing this information with his abbot, who was looking for a little energy boost during his late nights, the popular drink was born.
Coffee houses were also created many hundreds of years ago, first popping up in the 15th century along the Arabian Peninsula. You could not only enjoy a wonderful drink at these shops, but also take in a show, chat with strangers, and catch up on the news.
Coffee also found its way to America in the 15th century, but wasn’t the drink of choice until a certain king imposed a certain tax on another certain drink… Yes, if you didn’t know, the Boston Tea Party is the reason why Americans prefer coffee over tea.
Today, the global coffee industry is one of the largest and most successful sectors we see today. In 2024, the market was worth around 269.27 billion US dollars, and is considered the most consumed beverage in the United States, after water.
Why Do We Love It So Much?
First and foremost, the stimulating effects of caffeine should not be understated. Caffeine increases your body’s alertness and focus by circulating the stress chemicals, cortisol and adrenaline. It also provides a small bit of dopamine, triggering your brain’s reward system.
But it's more than that. Waking up to the smell of coffee can be one of the most comforting parts of your day, and enjoying the first few sips is just as wonderful.
It also gives us a foundational morning routine. Whether you make your coffee or buy it, you know how long it’s going to take, what it's going to taste like, and how much time you have to enjoy it.
From a social standpoint, it’s often a drink that brings people together. You probably know your morning barista’s name and a couple of the other regulars who get their java from the nearby coffee shop. It’s also a common beverage to serve to friends, family, or guests, and has deep roots in many cultures.
All in all, it’s not surprising that coffee continues to hold its grip on the world. It’s nearly synonymous with humanity at this point. The next time you brew, you can think about how your great-great-great ancestors were doing the same thing.
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