The history and development of the beverage that we know as coffee is varied and interesting, involving chance occurrences, political intrigue, and the pursuit of wealth and power.

According to one story, the effect of coffee beans on behavior was noticed by a sheep herder from Caffa Ethopia named Kaldi as he tended his sheep. He noticed that the sheep became hyperactive after eating the red "cherries" from a certain plant when they changed pastures. He tried a few himself, and was soon as overactive as his herd. The story relates that a monk happened by and scolded him for "partaking of the devil's fruit." However the monks soon discovered that this fruit from the shiny green plant could help them stay awake for their prayers.

Another legend gives us the name for coffee or "mocha." An Arabian was banished to the desert with his followers to die of starvation. In desperation, Omar had his friends boil and eat the fruit from an unknown plant. Not only did the broth save the exiles, but their survival was taken as a religious sign by the residents of the nearest town, Mocha. The plant and its beverage were named Mocha to honor this event.

Originally the coffee plant grew naturally in Ethopia, but once transplanted in Arabia was monopolized by them. One early use for coffee would have little appeal today. The Galla tribe from Ethiopia used coffee, but not as a drink. They would wrap the beans in animal fat as their only source of nutrition while on raiding parties. The Turks were the first country to adopt it as a drink, often adding spices such as clove, cinnamon, cardamom and anise to the brew.

Coffee was introduced much later to countries beyond Arabia whose inhabitants believed it to be a delicacy and guarded its secret as if they were top secret military plans. Transportation of the plant out of the Moslem nations was forbidden by the government. The actual spread of coffee was started illegally. One Arab named Baba Budan smuggled beans to some mountains near Mysore, India, and started a farm there. Early in this century, the descendants of those original plants were found still growing fruitfully in the region.

Coffee was believed by some Christians to be the devil's drink. Pope Vincent III heard this and decided to taste it before he banished it. He enjoyed it so much he baptized it, saying "coffee is so delicious it would be a pity to let the infidels have exclusive use of it."

Coffee today is grown and enjoyed worldwide, and is one of the few crops that small farmers in third-world countries can profitably export.

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by Michael Reinheart January 25, 2006
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(vulgar)surname, meaning "of the french who are ze best" (ma- meaning "of" and -her meaning "the french are the best"
"That french dude thinks hes so maher"
"That guy is trying to be hardcore, but hes just a maher"
by rosko-nater May 10, 2003
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Liam Maher a.k.a. Tempe Bear Juden is a well known Starbucks Barista who famously won the title of #1 Coffee Barista in the Southwest in 2009. His rise to stardom iis marked by his love of chewing tobacco as well as his practice of the Jewish faith.
Sexy Girl #1:"Hey you wanna hit up P & McD to get a frap?"

Sexy Girl #2:"Yeah! Maybe Liam Maher is working!"
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a political, atheist comedian who doesn't hate america, but is embarressed by it
"We have been the cowards lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away. That's cowardly. Staying in the airplane when it hits the building, say what you want about it, it's not cowardly."
by clevelandsteamer August 7, 2005
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Very funny liberal who hosts 'Real Time with Bill Maher', widely regarded as one of the best shows on television. Not afraid to speak the truth, and does on most issues. Hates religion, so offends a lot. Somewhat paradoxically for a liberal, supports Israel, but let's not get into that.

Oh yeah, he also goes to Amsterdam to legally smoke pot.
Did you see Bill Maher last night? He spoke the truth on a lot of issues! How dare he!
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The act of pressing your butt cheeks against a sliding glass door and proceeding to take a shit, if done correctly it will look like a shit dog between two buns
The bitch locked me out of the house so I gave her a DirtE Maher
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An absolute dumbass who usually fucks girls with the name temperance
Can you hear temperance moaning that’s definitely Lennon Maher fucking her
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