After water, coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. Served hot or cold, people often drink the brew as a morning pick-me-up or sip it while socializing with friends. The next time you visit a cafe, impress your barista with anecdotes about the history of coffee, outlined here.

A Few Fun Facts About the History of Coffee 

Origins Date Back to 9th-Century Ethiopia

The discovery of the coffee plant Coffea arabica is often attributed to a 9th-century Ethiopian goat-herder named Kaldi. He let his goats graze in a forest where the coffee trees grew. He noticed the burst of energy, or caffeine buzz, the animals experienced after eating red berries from the plants.

Curious, he also tried the berries and later took them to a monastery. The religious officials enjoyed the smell of the berries when they burned them, putting them in warm water to create the ubiquitous beverage.

Pope Clement VIII Gave Coffee His Blessing

Because of its ties to the Islamic world, 17th-century Europeans wanted Pope Clement VIII to denounce coffee, calling it “Satan’s brew.” The religious leader wanted to try it first before making a judgment. He liked the robust beverage and gave it his official seal of approval. He exclaimed, ”This Satan’s drink is so delicious that it would be a pity to let the infidels have exclusive use of it.”

The Boston Tea Party Made Coffee Popular in the New World

When Dutch settlers traveled to New Amsterdam, later New York, in the mid-1600s, they brought coffee with them. Although coffee houses peppered the area, tea was still the drink of choice. That all changed with the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773. As an act of rebellion against the high tea tax, colonists dumped a large shipment into the Boston Harbor.

Now that you know a few lesser-known facts about coffee, go pick up a cup at Joe Maxx Coffee. With locations in Las Vegas, NV, and Denver, CO, the coffee shop is known for its flavorful, expertly-made espresso drinks, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches. To inquire about the menu, call the Las Vegas location at (702) 655-6120. To contact the West 38th Avenue location in Denver, call (303) 350-2666 and dial (720) 476-5579 for the Santa Fe Drive branch. You can also check out the menu online. See pictures of the beverages on Facebook.