The history of coffee begins with the legendary discovery in Ethiopia by a goat herder named Kaldi, eventually spreading to the Arabian Peninsula where it was cultivated and became known as qahwa. The rise of coffeehouses in the Ottoman Empire and Europe marked a significant cultural shift, becoming vital centers for social interaction and intellectual discourse, even earning the nickname "penny universities" in London. From its origins, coffee cultivation expanded globally, first through the Dutch to Asia and then to the Americas via Martinique, though this expansion was tragically fueled by slave labor. Ultimately, coffee's impact extends to politics and society, influencing revolutions and daily rituals, becoming an integral part of cultures worldwide.  NotebookLM