Introduce to Coffee and Cambodia Coffee Culture

Kaldi, goats and coffee discovery, Source: dreamtimes

Coffee History and how it travels across the globe

Ethiopiais considered to be the motherland of coffee and this magical bean was foundedby an Ethiopian goat herder- Kaldi around 800AD.
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The story began when Kaldi found out his goat become very energised after eating some berries from a tree. He tried the berries himself and felt the same way, so he brought these berries to monk but the monk thought it is devil so he threw it in fire, but the fire brought a beautiful heavenly aroma from the berries. Then they place the burnt berries in the jug and covered with hot water for preservation. By drinking this magical beverage help them stay awake during the night for praying.

However, there is another legend about coffee. Exhausted from his spiritual matters trip throughout Ethiopia, a Yemenite Sufi mystic decided to try the berries which he found out that a bird become very energitic and enthusiastic after eating the fruit. It's believed that coffee bean was exported from Ethiopia to Yemen and grow them there.

Coffee is originated in Ethiopia and brought to grow in a district of Yemen, Arabia in 15^th century. Later by 16^th century it was known as Persia, Egypt, Syria and Turkey.

In 1475 the world’s first coffee house was opened in Constantinople, now known as Istanbul.

Due to its qualities to improve alertness and wakefulness, coffee is in the spotlight. It was drunk at home and used to show hospitality to guests.

Source: Love Land Coffee

People visit coffee houses not only to drink coffee but to socialize, catch up onnews, concentrate on work, listen to music, watch performance and daily lifestyle. Coffee houses were referred as “School of the Wise”.

Illustrationfrom Constantinople and the Scenery of the Seven Churches of Asia Minorillustrated…, With an historical Account of Constantinople, and Descriptions ofthe Plates…, London/Paris, Fisher, Son & Co. (1836-38), by Robert Walsh andThomas Allom, source: wikicommons

The postcard depicts a group of men sitting outside an Ottoman coffee house, around 1910, source: British Museum

A Café in Istanbul between 1850 and 1882 by Adadeo Preziosi, source: wikicommons

In 17^th century, coffee had made it way to Europe and increasingly become popular across the continent. European coffee history begins in Italy, the first coffee house was opened in 1645 in Venice. Drinking Coffee was great commodity and became the symbol of wealth.

Coffee became very popular in England through the Dutch East India Company and British East India Company. The first coffee house in England was opened in Oxford in 1651 and later many other coffee houses was opened. Coffee houses were strictly for men only, where business and news are discussed. Many businesses venture and ideas started in London Coffee houses.

London Coffee house, source: wikicommons

Interiorof a London Coffee-house, 17th century, source: wikicommons

A Parisian Café, Ilya Repin, source: wikicommons

In 1669, Coffee was brought to Paris, France by Suleyman Aga, the ambassador to the court of King Louis XIV of France. He was armed with bags of coffee described as a “magical beverage”.

In 1671, Pascal an Armenian opened a coffee-drinking booth at the fair of St-Germain. Visitors quickly looked for the “petit noir” a name that still endures. This inspired coffee houses to open across France.

Growing coffee in Europe was a struggle due to colder climates. European traders started to explore place to grow coffee.
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Tropical weather is ideal for coffee cultivation and coffee plantation spread quickly throughout Latin America. They harvest their first coffee in 1726.
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In 18^th Century coffee was introduced to Cambodia by French colonial. Mondulkiri is famous for its coffee of long-time history. If you go deep in Mondulkiri rainforest, you will some giant coffee trees.

Henri Gervex Café Scenes in Paris 1877, source: wikicommons

However, Cambodian coffee culture has evolved. By looking back to world coffee culture, Cambodia is no difference. In the old day, only men drink coffee and coffee house is place for businessman or wealthy people. As far as I remember, my grandfather who was farmer went to coffee house to ear on middlemen agriculture traders about agriculture product price and situation, so he could sell in good price.

Cloths sieve brewing

Old Day Café, source:Koh Santepheap

Old Day Café, source:Koh Santepheap

Hot Condense milk

Hot Condense milk

Stainlesssteel brewing

French roast or dark-roasted coffee is characterized by it bold, intense, very dark almost burnt, smoky and less acidic which is perfect for traditional brewing. Traditional way to brew coffee in Cambodia are either metal drip filter (phin) or cloth sieve. Both ways are normally use with coffee power in the old day. The most popular coffee beverage was Kafe Tek Kork (IcedAmericano) and Kafe Tek Dos Kou Cab (Iced Condensed Milk Coffee). French roast is perfect because these two popular beverages because they are often very sweet with either sugar syrup of condense milk. The intense coffee aroma and bold characteristic of Robusta coffee combine with sweetness of condense milk in ice under hot weather, bring out the freshness.

In the mid-2000’s, modern coffee shops in Cambodia were a rarity but it was the turning point of Cambodian coffee culture. The introduction of espresso machine, use of purely whole roasted coffee, beautiful shop decoration, hygiene and ambience environment began. With the better living standard, most people can afford one or two cup of coffee for their everyday life. This modern Coffee culture make it possible for young, old, men or women to enjoy the magical bean experience.

Traditional look, but modern way