The story of coffee begins not in a cafe, but on the high plateaus of ancient Ethiopia. Legend pins the discovery on a lone goatherd named Kaldi in the 9th century. His tale is more folklore than historical fact, but it captures the spirit of coffee's origin.

Kaldi was tending his flock one day when he noticed something peculiar. His goats, usually calm, were full of energy, leaping and practically dancing. He watched them and saw they were chewing on the bright red berries of a shrub he'd never paid much attention to before.

Curiosity got the better of him. Kaldi picked a few of the mysterious berries and tried them for himself. Soon, he felt a rush of exhilarating energy, just like his goats. He was no longer tired from his long day and felt sharp and alert.

Excited by his discovery, Kaldi brought the berries to a monk at a nearby monastery. The monk was unimpressed. He declared the berries to be the devil's work and threw them into a fire.

But as the berries heated up, they released a rich, enticing aroma. The other monks gathered, drawn by the incredible smell. They raked the roasted beans from the embers, ground them up, and dissolved them in hot water, creating the world's first cup of coffee.

While Kaldi's story is a legend, it points to a historical truth: coffee's journey started in Ethiopia.

The initial recognition of coffee wasn't about its flavor, but its function. People drank it for the same reason many of us do today: to feel more awake, alert, and focused. It was a tool, a way to fend off fatigue and sharpen the mind. This fundamental effect is what propelled the humble berry from a remote plateau in Africa to the rest of the world.

Now that you know the legend, let's test your knowledge.

From this legendary beginning, the knowledge of coffee's unique properties would slowly begin its journey beyond the Ethiopian highlands.