The legend of Kaldi and the Arabian Nights Tales
Different versions of this tale have been told since the years 600 of our era. Some think that this tale takes place in Ethiopia; others say that this myth was going on in Yemen. All agree that one day, a young man, surprised by his sheep suddenly acting all excited, went closer to the place where they were eating. He discovered a small tree with red fruit that he had never seen before. Feeling tired, he decided to taste those small fruit. How surprise was he when he suddenly felt better and energized! Kaldi went to neighborhood priests and told them about this fantastic experience. They decided to boil the fruit and drink this new potion to stay awake longer to pray.
Different versions of this tale have been told since the years 600 of our era. Some think that this tale takes place in Ethiopia; others say that this myth was going on in Yemen. All agree that one day, a young man, surprised by his sheep suddenly acting all excited, went closer to the place where they were eating. He discovered a small tree with red fruit that he had never seen before. Feeling tired, he decided to taste those small fruit. How surprise was he when he suddenly felt better and energized! Kaldi went to neighborhood priests and told them about this fantastic experience. They decided to boil the fruit and drink this new potion to stay awake longer to pray.
Origins of coffee roasting
Many myths have gone around about the first coffee beans roasting. It is told that the monks to whom Kaldi have told the prodigious effects of those red coffee fruits, found the drink they have prepared so bitter that they would have thrown the drink as well as the rest of the fruits and branches in the fire. From this burning fire came then an amazing smell, typical of roasted coffee.
Another legend tells that two monks, Scialdi and Aydrus, in charge of harvesting the coffee fruits, by a raining afternoon, came back to the monastery with their harvest, completely wet. To dry up the beans, they placed them in the chimney and went out to pray. When they came back, the beans were more than dried; they were roasted and smelled extremely good. Then they decided to always roast their beans before preparing the drink.
This habit to roast the beans conducted soon enough to grinding. From the grinded coffee, the monks boiled many times, as an infusion, until they obtained a dark black and bitter drink. To this new potion they added some spices and sugar. That's the way "kahwah" was born: the strength and vitality of Arabian coffee.
Many myths have gone around about the first coffee beans roasting. It is told that the monks to whom Kaldi have told the prodigious effects of those red coffee fruits, found the drink they have prepared so bitter that they would have thrown the drink as well as the rest of the fruits and branches in the fire. From this burning fire came then an amazing smell, typical of roasted coffee.
Another legend tells that two monks, Scialdi and Aydrus, in charge of harvesting the coffee fruits, by a raining afternoon, came back to the monastery with their harvest, completely wet. To dry up the beans, they placed them in the chimney and went out to pray. When they came back, the beans were more than dried; they were roasted and smelled extremely good. Then they decided to always roast their beans before preparing the drink.
This habit to roast the beans conducted soon enough to grinding. From the grinded coffee, the monks boiled many times, as an infusion, until they obtained a dark black and bitter drink. To this new potion they added some spices and sugar. That's the way "kahwah" was born: the strength and vitality of Arabian coffee.