Although ubiquitous in France for several decades, its history remains rather vague in the collective consciousness, and the image we have of it is primarily that conveyed by major brands through advertising. Here are a few points worth noting.
Origin of coffee - nf
Although there are many legends throughout the ages surrounding the discovery of coffee, the wild coffee plant, called C offea arabica , is an indigenous plant discovered in 850 in Ethiopia in the Kaffa region.
This was followed by a gradual and global expansion, beginning in 1450 with the first trade in this commodity in the Yemeni port of Mokka. Coffee conquered Arab countries with its stimulating effect, which earned it the name "qahwah" (the stimulant). The Ottoman Empire held a monopoly on its production until the 17th century.
When coffee arrived in Europe, via the Netherlands in 1616, it quickly spread to France and reached the court of King Louis XIV, as well as Italy, England, and Spain. "Cafés" began opening in major cities, including the famous Procope in Paris in 1686, which is still in operation today.
This period also marks the introduction of coffee cultivation to European colonies. The Dutch exported it to Indonesia, the French to the West Indies and Réunion, and the Spanish to Colombia and Guatemala. Coffee became widely available in the 18th century. The plant is now cultivated in most subtropical regions of the world. The area around the equator where coffee cultivation is possible is commonly referred to as the "coffee belt."
Evolution of coffee - nf
From the 20th century onwards, Brazil rapidly became the world's largest coffee producer, accounting for 75% of global production in the 1910s. Production is more fragmented today, but Brazil still holds a third of the volume, nearly 2.7 million tons per year, followed by Vietnam (1.5 million tons) and Colombia (750,000 tons).
The world of coffee has continued to develop throughout history: species and varieties of coffee , cultivation methods, modes of consumption, etc.
In France, three waves of consumption have followed one another:
- In 1960-1970, coffee became more accessible to all households, with brands like Grand' Mère, Carte noire or Nescafé, focused on the stimulating effect rather than the taste, for consumption as filter coffee or instant coffee.
- The 1990s and 2000s marked a turning point, with the theatricalization of consumption and the pursuit of premiumization. On the one hand, the arrival of the American giant Starbucks launched the coffee shop movement; on the other, the revolution in home coffee consumption with the entry of Nespresso and its single-serve capsules. The brand offered a more upscale product and gradually opened the door to a wider range of coffee flavors. Capsules now account for 60% of sales in France.
- The third wave, driven by a handful of players in the 2010s and 2020s, is that of specialty coffee . Like the wine or craft beer markets, consumers now want to know everything about coffee and are looking for better quality and a responsible product. This has led to the growth of specialty coffee roasters, who readily highlight the origins, varieties, and roasting methods.
Celsius. is part of this underlying trend, which is evolving rapidly and constantly developing the potential of coffee and improving its taste in the cup.