Coffee has been a source of energy and inspiration for centuries, but how did people first realize its power to keep them awake and focused? Long before modern science could explain the effects of caffeine, medieval monks in Africa and the Middle East were among the first to experiment with coffee and incorporate it into their daily rituals.
These early religious scholars quickly discovered that coffee helped them stay alert during long hours of prayer and meditation. But their relationship with coffee went beyond mere wakefulness—it became part of a sacred routine, a tool for enlightenment, and, in some cases, even a subject of religious debate.
In this article, we will explore how medieval monks and religious communities helped shape the early science of coffee, leading to its spread across the world.
The Ethiopian Origins: Monks and the “Magic Berries”
Ethiopia is widely considered the birthplace of coffee, and some of the earliest records of coffee consumption come from Ethiopian monasteries. According to legend, coffee was first discovered by the goat herder Kaldi, who noticed that his goats became unusually energetic after eating coffee cherries. When Kaldi shared his discovery with a local monastery, the monks decided to experiment with the strange fruit.
They soon realized that brewing the beans into a drink helped them stay awake during long hours of prayer, especially during nighttime vigils. Recognizing the benefits of coffee, Ethiopian monks began cultivating coffee plants near their monasteries and preparing it as a beverage to aid meditation and religious study.
Even today, many Ethiopian monasteries continue the tradition of roasting and brewing coffee using ancient methods, preserving a centuries-old connection between coffee and spiritual practice.
Yemen and the Sufi Mystics: Coffee as a Tool for Devotion
While Ethiopian monks were among the first to use coffee, it was in Yemen that coffee’s full potential as a stimulant was realized. Sufi mystics in Yemen were particularly interested in coffee for its ability to enhance their spiritual practices.
Sufism is a mystical branch of Islam that emphasizes meditation, chanting, and deep contemplation. Many Sufi monks practiced dhikr, a form of devotional repetition of God’s name, which could last for hours, often late into the night. Coffee became an essential part of these rituals, allowing monks to maintain focus and stay awake for prolonged periods of worship.
Some historians believe that Yemeni monks were among the first to develop the process of roasting coffee beans, grinding them, and brewing them into a hot beverage. This was a major turning point in coffee history, as it transformed coffee from a simple fruit into the rich, aromatic drink we know today.
The Spread of Coffee to the Islamic World
By the 15th century, Yemeni Sufis had introduced coffee to the broader Islamic world. The drink quickly gained popularity among scholars, imams, and other religious figures, who recognized its benefits for study and worship.
Coffeehouses—known as qahveh khaneh—began appearing in cities like Mecca, Cairo, and Istanbul, where intellectuals gathered to discuss theology, philosophy, and politics. However, coffee’s rapid rise also sparked controversy, and religious authorities debated whether the drink should be permitted.
Religious Debates: Was Coffee a Blessing or a Sin?
As coffee became more popular, some Islamic scholars questioned whether it was acceptable under religious law. Because of its stimulating effects, some clerics worried that coffee was an intoxicant, similar to alcohol, which is forbidden in Islam.
In the early 16th century, a group of religious leaders in Mecca attempted to ban coffee, arguing that it led to excessive socialization and distracted people from prayer. However, the ban was short-lived. When Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent learned of the controversy, he declared that coffee was not intoxicating and was therefore halal (permissible) for Muslims to drink.
With official approval, coffeehouses flourished across the Islamic world, becoming places where scholars and monks exchanged knowledge and ideas.
How Medieval Monks Unintentionally Discovered Caffeine’s Effects
Although medieval monks had no knowledge of modern neuroscience, their observations about coffee’s effects were remarkably accurate.
1. Coffee and Wakefulness
Monks noticed that coffee helped them stay awake during long hours of prayer. Today, we know that this is due to caffeine, a natural stimulant that blocks adenosine, a brain chemical responsible for making us feel tired.
2. Coffee and Focus
Sufi mystics observed that coffee improved concentration, allowing them to meditate and chant for extended periods. Scientific research confirms that caffeine enhances cognitive function, improving alertness, memory, and reaction time.
3. Coffee and Mood Enhancement
Medieval coffee drinkers frequently reported feelings of joy and spiritual clarity after consuming coffee. Modern science has found that caffeine increases the release of dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters that boost mood and reduce stress.
4. The “Divine” Energy of Coffee
Because coffee had such a profound effect on the body and mind, many medieval monks believed that it was a gift from God. They viewed coffee as a sacred tool that allowed them to better fulfill their religious duties.
European Monks and the Rise of Coffee in Christianity
While coffee originated in Africa and the Middle East, it eventually made its way to Europe through trade. Just as Islamic monks had embraced coffee, Christian monks in Italy and France soon discovered its benefits.
At first, some Catholic leaders viewed coffee with suspicion, calling it the “Devil’s drink” because of its association with Islam. However, legend says that in the early 1600s, Pope Clement VIII was offered a cup of coffee and loved it so much that he declared it acceptable for Christians to drink.
Once coffee was approved by the Church, it spread rapidly across Europe. Many Catholic monks adopted coffee as part of their daily routine, using it to stay alert during prayers and theological studies—just as their Ethiopian and Yemeni counterparts had done centuries earlier.
The Lasting Influence of Monks on Coffee Culture
The role of medieval monks in the history of coffee is undeniable. Their early experiments with coffee paved the way for its global popularity, and their observations about its effects laid the foundation for our modern understanding of caffeine.
Even today, coffee maintains a strong connection to monastic traditions:
- Trappist Monks and Coffee Production – Some monastic orders, like the Trappist monks, have continued the tradition of producing high-quality coffee.
- Silence and Reflection – Many people use coffee as a tool for quiet contemplation, much like medieval monks did centuries ago.
- Coffee as a Ritual – The act of brewing and drinking coffee has become a daily ritual for millions, similar to the sacred routines of monks.
Conclusion: A Sacred Brew That Shaped the World
From Ethiopian monasteries to Sufi mystic circles and European cathedrals, coffee has played a profound role in religious and intellectual life for centuries. Long before scientists understood caffeine’s effects, medieval monks discovered that coffee had the power to keep them awake, improve their focus, and elevate their spiritual experiences.
Today, we may not be monks, but every time we drink a cup of coffee to stay awake, concentrate, or find inspiration, we are following in the footsteps of those early scholars who saw coffee not just as a drink, but as a powerful tool for the mind and soul.
So the next time you take a sip of your coffee, consider this: you’re not just drinking a beverage—you’re continuing an ancient tradition of enlightenment, curiosity, and devotion.