Throughout history, women have played a crucial role in the production, trade, and consumption of coffee. Yet, their contributions have often been overlooked. From the early days of coffee cultivation in Ethiopia and Yemen to modern-day leadership in the coffee industry, women have shaped the way coffee is grown, brewed, and enjoyed around the world.
In this article, we explore the significant influence of women in the history of coffee, from the farms to the cafés, and how their role continues to evolve today.
Women in the Origins of Coffee: Ethiopian and Yemeni Traditions
The earliest known coffee drinkers were Ethiopian and Yemeni communities, where coffee was first cultivated for both religious and social purposes. Women in these societies played a major role in the preparation of coffee, often overseeing its roasting, grinding, and brewing for family and communal gatherings.
In Ethiopia, the traditional coffee ceremony is still performed today, primarily by women. This ritual, which involves roasting green coffee beans over an open flame, grinding them by hand, and brewing them in a jebena (a clay pot), is an essential part of Ethiopian hospitality. Women are the central figures in this process, passing down coffee-making techniques through generations.
In Yemen, where the first commercial coffee farms emerged in the 15th century, women worked in the early stages of cultivation, harvesting coffee cherries and processing them for trade. Their contributions laid the foundation for the global coffee industry, though their names often went unrecognized.
Women and Coffeehouses: A Forbidden Space?
As coffee spread to the Ottoman Empire, Persia, and Europe, coffeehouses became centers of intellectual debate, business, and political discussion. However, these spaces were often reserved for men, and women were frequently excluded.
In 17th-century England, women were so frustrated by their exclusion from coffeehouses that they published a satirical pamphlet called “The Women’s Petition Against Coffee” (1674). In it, they complained that coffee made men too engaged in political debates and less attentive to their wives. While this pamphlet was likely written as a joke, it reflects the social divisions that prevented women from fully participating in coffee culture at the time.
Despite these restrictions, women in France and Italy found ways to engage with coffee culture. The Salonnières, a group of influential French women in the 18th century, hosted intellectual gatherings where coffee was served, allowing women to discuss philosophy and politics alongside men.
Women in Coffee Production: The Backbone of the Industry
While women were often excluded from coffeehouses, they have always been essential to coffee farming and production. Today, an estimated 70% of coffee farm labor worldwide is performed by women, yet they own less than 20% of coffee farms.
Women in Latin American Coffee Farms
In countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala, women have historically worked as pickers and processors on coffee farms. Their tasks include:
- Harvesting coffee cherries by hand, ensuring only the ripest ones are picked.
- Sorting and drying the beans, a labor-intensive process that affects the quality of the final product.
- Managing farm operations, often while raising families and contributing to household incomes.
Despite their essential contributions, women in coffee farming have historically received lower wages and had less access to land, training, and financial resources compared to men.
The Rise of Women-Owned Coffee Farms and Cooperatives
In recent decades, there has been a push to empower women in the coffee industry by creating cooperatives and fair-trade programs that support female farmers. Organizations like International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) and Café Femenino work to ensure that women receive fair wages, leadership opportunities, and direct access to global coffee markets.
One example is Las Damas de San Ignacio, a women’s coffee cooperative in Peru. These women-run farms produce high-quality organic coffee and reinvest profits into their communities, funding education, healthcare, and infrastructure projects.
Similarly, in Rwanda, women have taken leadership roles in coffee farming as a way to rebuild their communities after the 1994 genocide. Programs that support female coffee farmers have helped improve economic stability and create new opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
Women as Pioneers in the Coffee Industry
Beyond farming, women have also made major contributions to coffee roasting, brewing, and café culture. Some notable examples include:
- Melitta Bentz (Germany, 1908) – Invented the paper coffee filter, revolutionizing home brewing and making coffee smoother and less bitter.
- Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel (France, 1920s) – While best known for fashion, she helped popularize Parisian café culture, where coffee was enjoyed alongside intellectual and artistic discussions.
- Erna Knutsen (USA, 1978) – Coined the term “specialty coffee”, helping to create the modern craft coffee movement that values high-quality, ethically sourced beans.
Women and the Modern Specialty Coffee Movement
Today, women are leading the way in specialty coffee, barista culture, and coffee entrepreneurship. Many successful café owners, roasters, and coffee educators are women who are redefining the industry.
Notable Women in Modern Coffee Culture
- Laila Ghambari (USA) – A champion barista and coffee educator who advocates for diversity in the coffee industry.
- Asli Yaman (Turkey) – A coffee historian and expert on the cultural significance of coffee in the Middle East and Europe.
- Rachel Peterson (Panama) – Owner of Hacienda La Esmeralda, a world-famous coffee farm producing some of the most expensive and sought-after beans.
Women are also leading sustainability efforts in coffee production, ensuring that coffee is grown in an environmentally friendly and socially responsible way. Many fair-trade and direct-trade programs prioritize women farmers, helping to close the gender gap in the industry.
Conclusion: A Future of Equality in Coffee
From the farms of Ethiopia and Yemen to the specialty coffee shops of today, women have played an essential role in the history and culture of coffee. While they have faced barriers in ownership, decision-making, and financial independence, their contributions to coffee production, brewing, and innovation cannot be ignored.
As awareness grows and organizations continue to support women in coffee, the future of the industry looks increasingly diverse, inclusive, and equitable. Whether as farmers, baristas, entrepreneurs, or coffee enthusiasts, women will continue to shape the way the world experiences coffee for generations to come.