1900: Robusta Coffee's Journey to Java
Around 1900, the robusta coffee strain, first collected in 1890 from the Lomani River in the Congo Free State (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), was transported to Brussels and then to Java for further cultivation.
1900: Coffee and Immigration
In the early 1900s, coffee production attracted immigrants seeking better economic opportunities, mainly Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, German, and Japanese nationals. For example, São Paulo, Brazil, saw a large influx of immigrants seeking work in the coffee industry.
1902: Brazilian Coffee Boom
By 1902, coffee production in São Paulo, Brazil, reached 8 million bags, representing 60% of the nation's total production. This boom led to coffee becoming 63% of Brazil's exports and fueled significant economic growth.
1910: Brazil's Dominance in Coffee Production
During the period of 1910–1920, Brazil exported approximately 70% of the world's coffee, solidifying its position as the world's largest coffee producer since 1852.
1920: United States Coffee Consumption
By 1920, the United States emerged as the largest consumer of coffee globally, consuming around half of the world's coffee production. This was driven by a combination of high population growth and a doubling of per capita coffee consumption between 1860 and 1920.
1920: Brazil's Dominance in Coffee Production
During the period of 1910–1920, Brazil exported approximately 70% of the world's coffee, solidifying its position as the world's largest coffee producer since 1852.
1923: Kosher Certification of Coffee
In 1923, coffee was certified kosher, resolving a long-standing debate among Ashkenazi Jews about its acceptability for consumption during Passover.
1930: "Cup of Joe" Origin Story
The first written account of the story behind the term "cup of Joe" appeared in 1930. While it links the term to U.S. Navy Secretary Josephus "Joe" Daniels' ban on alcohol aboard ships during World War I, the story's validity is debated.
1931: Vacuum-Sealed Coffee Cans
In 1931, a new method of packaging coffee emerged: packing roasted coffee in sealed vacuum cans. By removing 99% of the air from the cans, this method allowed for indefinite storage of coffee until the can was opened. This innovation revolutionized coffee storage and is widely used today.
1947: Invention of the Coffee Vending Machine
The coffee vending machine was invented in 1947 and gained widespread distribution starting in the 1950s. This invention provided convenient access to coffee for those who didn't have the time or equipment to brew their own.
1949: Haitian Coffee Comeback
In 1949, Haiti experienced a brief resurgence in its coffee industry, becoming the world's third-largest coffee exporter. However, this resurgence was short-lived, and the industry declined rapidly after that.
1951: Coffee Breaks in Union Contracts
In 1951, Time magazine highlighted the growing prevalence of coffee breaks, noting that they had been incorporated into union contracts, signifying their establishment as a workplace norm.
1952: Popularization of "Coffee Break"
The term "coffee break" gained widespread popularity in 1952 thanks to an advertising campaign by the Pan-American Coffee Bureau, solidifying its place in American culture.
1952: The Term "Coffee Break" Is Coined
The term "coffee break" originated in 1952.
1970: Misconception about Coffee Trade
In the 1970s, coffee was inaccurately labeled as the world's second most legally traded commodity. It was, however, the second most valuable commodity exported by developing countries during this period.
1983: International Coffee Day Origins
International Coffee Day is believed to have originated in Japan in 1983, with an event organized by the All Japan Coffee Association. This day is now celebrated on September 29th in many countries.
1987: Rise of Fair Trade Organizations
The founding of organizations like the European Fair Trade Association in 1987 marked a turning point. This led to the increased production and consumption of fair trade coffee, with local and national coffee chains beginning to offer fair trade alternatives.
1998: UN Commodity Data
The UN Conference on Trade and Development Commodity Yearbooks from 1970 to 1998 highlighted that developing countries exported crude oil as their most valuable commodity, followed by coffee.
April 2000: Starbucks Adopts Fair Trade
In April 2000, following a year-long campaign by Global Exchange, Starbucks began offering fair trade coffee in its stores, signifying a growing mainstream acceptance of ethically sourced coffee.
2000: Coffee Trade Significance
Until around 2000, coffee held its position as the second most valuable commodity exported by developing nations. This information comes from the UN Conference on Trade and Development Commodity Yearbooks.
2004: Fair Trade Coffee Growth
In 2004, 24,222 metric tons of fair trade coffee were produced globally, out of a total of 7,050,000 metric tons. This marked a small but growing segment of the coffee market.
2004: U.S. Coffee Consumption Trends
In 2004, less than half of U.S. adults reported consuming coffee in the past day. This data point highlights the significant increase in coffee consumption observed by April 2024.
2005: Ethical Consumption Discrepancy
A 2005 study conducted in Belgium revealed a discrepancy between consumers' positive attitudes towards ethical products and their actual buying behavior. While 46% claimed they'd pay more for ethical products like fair-trade coffee, most were unwilling to pay the actual 27% price premium.
2005: Fair Trade Coffee Impact
By 2005, fair trade coffee production increased to 33,991 metric tons out of a global total of 6,685,000 metric tons. Despite the increase, studies on the impact of fair trade coffee showed mixed results, with some suggesting it might negatively affect non-participating growers.
2007: Robusta Coffee Futures Trading
In 2007, futures contracts for robusta coffee began trading on the New York Intercontinental Exchange, expanding the options for robusta coffee trading. This development followed the existing robusta coffee futures trading on the London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange.
September 2009: Starbucks UK & Ireland Fair Trade Espresso
From September 2009 onward, all Starbucks Espresso beverages served in the UK and Ireland were made using Fairtrade and Shared Planet certified coffee, demonstrating a commitment to ethical sourcing practices.
2015: Global Coffee Production and Export
In 2015, nearly 90 countries exported coffee cherries, with 60 of those countries being developing nations. Coffee was a major source of export revenue for countries like Burundi, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and formerly Haiti. Brazil remained the leading coffee producer, contributing almost 30% of global production, followed by Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia, and Ethiopia.
2016: Sustainable Coffee Production
In 2016, a significant portion of global coffee production, at least 34%, adhered to voluntary sustainability standards such as Fairtrade, UTZ, and 4C (The Common Code for the Coffee Community). These standards aimed to promote ethical and sustainable practices in the coffee industry.
2017: Coffee Consumption Safety
A 2017 review of clinical trials concluded that moderate daily coffee consumption (3-4 cups) is generally safe and may offer some health benefits. However, potential risks for pregnant women and women prone to bone fractures were noted.
2019: Brazil's Coffee Export Dominance
Brazil remained the top coffee exporting nation in 2019, accounting for 15% of global coffee exports.
2020: Global Green Coffee Bean Production
In 2020, the world production of green coffee beans reached 175,647,000 60 kg bags. Brazil maintained its position as the leading producer, accounting for 39% of the total production.
2021: Synthetic Coffee Products
As of 2021, synthetic coffee products were not yet publicly available. However, several bioeconomy companies had reportedly produced initial batches of synthetic coffee that closely resembled the molecular structure of natural coffee and were nearing commercialization.
April 2024: U.S. Coffee Consumption Peak
A National Coffee Association survey in April 2024 revealed that coffee consumption in the U.S. hit a 20-year high. 67% of U.S. adults reported drinking coffee the previous day, marking a significant increase from 2004.