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The Story of Coffee

B1 (Intermediate)Reading

The Story of Coffee

Read the fascinating history of how coffee spread around the world. A B1 reading text with key words and questions.

The Story of Coffee
LevelB1 (Intermediate)Words259Reading time3 min

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. Every day, people drink around two billion cups of it. But have you ever wondered where this dark, energising drink comes from? The story of coffee is a long and fascinating journey across continents and centuries.

According to a famous legend, coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia by a goat herder named Kaldi. He noticed that his goats became lively and full of energy after eating the red berries of a certain plant. Curious, he tried the berries himself and felt the same effect. Whether or not this story is true, we know that coffee was being grown and enjoyed in the Arab world by the fifteenth century. Coffee houses became popular places where people met to talk, do business and share ideas.

From there, coffee spread across the world. Traders and travellers carried it to Europe, and later to Asia and the Americas. Today, coffee is grown in more than seventy countries and supports the livelihoods of millions of farmers. It is far more than just a drink. It is a global industry, a daily ritual, and for many people, an essential part of waking up. The next time you enjoy a cup, remember the remarkable journey that brought it to you.

Key words
  • energising – giving you energy and making you feel awake
  • legend – an old story that may or may not be true
  • curious – wanting to know or learn something
  • livelihood – the way someone earns money to live
  • ritual – something done regularly in the same way

Check your understanding

Answer the questions below. You will see instantly if you are right.

1.About how many cups of coffee do people drink each day?
"people drink around two billion cups of it."
2.According to legend, where was coffee first discovered?
"coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia by a goat herder named Kaldi."
3.What did Kaldi notice about his goats?
"his goats became lively and full of energy after eating the red berries."
4.By which century was coffee enjoyed in the Arab world?
"coffee was being grown and enjoyed in the Arab world by the fifteenth century."
5.What were coffee houses used for?
"places where people met to talk, do business and share ideas."
6.In how many countries is coffee grown today?
"coffee is grown in more than seventy countries."
7.What does "legend" mean?
A legend is an old story that may or may not be true.
8.What is the main idea of the text?
The text traces coffee's remarkable journey and its importance around the world.

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