Coffee! Is the second biggest commodity in the world! But did you know....

Coffee has been a loyal and useful companion of the human race for centuries; it helped some to fight wars and others to create art and political credos. It helped some to travel long distances in the desert and others to make money.

Recently it has become a daily treat for most people. We have it in the morning to wake up, in the afternoon to keep alert and, sometimes, in the evening to unwind.

Coffee is a brain stimulant; it sharpens the mind and increases focus.

But how many people actually know where our love for coffee began and where it is going in the future?

The Origins of Coffee

There are several legends about how coffee was discovered but the most common one tells the story of a Sheppard, in what now days is called Ethiopia but at the time was called: Arabia.

This Sheppard noticed that his goats were getting particularly active and excited after eating berries from a certain plant; He collected the berries and took them to the nearest monk’s monastery to get the berries examined.

Once he told the monks about the effect that the berries had on his goats, the monks refused to go any further as they believed the berries were of evil fruits.

However, one of the more adventurous monks decided to roast them, grind them to powder and to mix it with boiling water. He discovered coffee and with it caffeine, which kept him awake for longer, therefore allowing him to pray for longer: suddenly this berry was being hailed as a divine invention.

It was then the turn of the Arabs to master the use of coffee. They used coffee as the original South American tribes used Coca leaves: to give them energy on long trips in a hostile environment where food and drink were scarce and to give them stamina and strength before battle.

Coffee began to be exported form Arabia using the port of Moka….hence our name Mokarabia. It became very popular in Europe, mainly thanks to the Venetian traders whom were already travelling across the Mediterranean and to the middle and Far East for commerce in silk and spices.

From the 1700’s coffee houses started to appear in Austria, Italy and in London. In fact one of the original coffee houses was Lloyd’s of London which is believed to have opened around 1688.

These coffee houses were used as a meeting point for traders, business people in general, but also by free thinkers, artists and people involved in politics. Interestingly many plans to topple the government were actually developed in coffee houses.

Coffee in the 21st Century

Since then many things have changed in society and in the way we prepare and consume coffee. Today numerous coffee shop chains and independent coffee shops serve millions of people across the globe.

Each country drinks coffee in different ways to match the local tastes. Ultimately, in my opinion, coffee is very subjective hence there is no such a thing as “the best coffee”. It is very much down to the individual.

Gennaro Aniello

Managing Director

Mokarabia Ltd

Why choose Mokarabia?

At Mokarabia we boast six different blends of coffee to try and suit everyone’s individual need. Our history goes back to the origins of the 1700’s and the know-how and passion we have built over the centuries is present in every single bag of coffee we produce.

Mokarabia still roasts with the same commitment as in the ancient artisan processes. We roast our beans separately in order to maintain their specific taste and aroma qualities.

We understand that coffee is an ingredient and not a finished product, which is why we also have a wide range of machinery and after sales and maintenance services to complement our coffee.

For further info on our products and after sales services please contact us on 0208 744 9456