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Key Events In the History of Coffee
900 B.C.
Homer makes a reference to a mysterious black and bitter beverage with the power to ward off sleep.
800
C.E. Kaldi, an Abyssinian goatherd, wakes from a nap to discover his goats munching on bushes bearing a bright red berry-like fruit. The goats are dancing energetically on the cliffs and rocks near-by. Kaldi brings some of the cherries back to his village. His Imam (Muslim religious leader) soaks the cherries in water and drinks the brew. The Imam finds himself more alert than ever during that evening's prayers.
1100-1600
Islamic travelers introduce coffee to North Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean and India. The Arabians, however, protect their monopoly on the valuable import by boiling all exported beans in water, sterilizing them and making it impossible for them to be germinated and domesticated elsewhere. Coffee grows only in Arabia until the 1600's.
1475
Kiva Han, the world's first coffee shop, opens in Constantinople.
1600
Pope Clemente VIII, when asked to place a ban on coffee, finds it so delicious that he "baptizes" it instead. Shortly thereafter, coffee travels to the New World with Captain James Smith, founder of Virginia at Jamestown.
1615-1721
Coffee is introduced to Europe by missionaries. Doctors prescribe it as a cure for various ailments, such as indigestion and drunkenness. Its popularity quickly spreads and coffee houses sprout up on every corner in Britain, Italy, Paris, Berlin, Boston and New York. Europeans and colonists from all walks of life gather in coffee houses to discuss politics, science and art. Believed to increase the drinker's reasoning skills and creativity, coffee embodies the spirit of the Renaissance.
1668
Coffee replaces beer as New York City's favorite breakfast drink.
1685
A coffee plant is smuggled out of the Arab port of Mocha and transported to Ceylon and the Dutch colony in East India at Java for cultivation. The Dutch begin commercial cultivation.
1723-1727
Coffee plants are introduced to the Americas. The flavor of coffee worldwide becomes more diverse, since the soil and unique environment of each geographic region imparts distinct characteristics to the beans grown in that region.
1800
With huge crops being produced in Brazil, coffee becomes more affordable and moves out of the realm of luxury and into the realm of daily necessity.
1822
The espresso machine is invented in France.
1825
Coffee cultivation begins in Hawaii.
1900
Hills Brothers begins packing roasted coffee in vacuum tins. This event begins the downfall of many local roasting shops and coffee mills.
1901
The first soluble "instant" coffee (YIKES!) is invented by American chemist Satori Kato of Chicago.
1905
The first commercial espresso machine is manufactured in Italy.
1908
The drip coffee maker is invented. Melitta Bentz makes a filter from blotting paper.
1920
Prohibition goes into effect in the United States. Coffee sales boom.
1934
A new gas station is built in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This gas station will operate as a gas station until 1985, and will be reborn in 1993 as the first Water Street Coffee Joint.
1938
Nescafe instant coffee (freeze dried) is invented by the Nestle Company to assist the Brazilian government in solving its coffee surplus problem.
1942
Coffee has become such an essential part of American life that during World War II, U.S. soldiers are issued instant Maxwell House coffee in their ration kits. In the U.S., widespread hoarding leads to coffee rationing.
1946
In Italy, Achilles Gaggia perfects the modern espresso machine. Cappuccino is named for the resemblance of its color to the robes of the monks of the Capuchin order.
1961
Frank Sinatra releases Ring-a-Ding-Ding. This album features the soon-to-be-classic recording of "They've Got an Awful Lot of Coffee in Brazil" (a.k.a. "The Coffee Song").
1962
American per-capita coffee consumption reaches an all-time high of more than three cups a day.
1975
Specialty coffee shops begin an ascent in popularity that continues today. Many believe specialty coffees are the future of the coffee industry.
1993
In February 1993, Water Street Coffee Joint opens for business at 315 East Water Street in a building that formerly housed a gas station.
1993-2001
Water Street Coffee Joint is proud to be part of the many revitalization efforts in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan. An amazing community of coffee-lovers, vendors, artists, baristas and friends surrounds Water Street Coffee Joint. Business grows steadily.
2000
In search of the perfect brew, Water Street Coffee Joint becomes a wholesale micro-roaster, hand crafting beans in small batches to create the most delicious and unique coffees around.
2003
In July 2003, Water Street Coffee Joint opens its second location at 3037 Oakland Drive.
2004
Water Street Coffee Joint steps forth into the modern world.
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