Home Podcasts Complete History of Coffee

Complete History of Coffee

Aris Zaffer 35 episodes Latest Feb 1, 2026

The history of coffee is a fascinating and exciting journey, from its origin in North Africa to its massive popularity today, as the largest consumed drug in the world. Join Aris Zaffer as he traces the story coffee, along with tea, chocolate, and other related topics. So grab your favorite pastry, and don’t forget to bring your favorite drink to sip on, as we spill the beans on this legendary adventure through history.

Episodes

The 40-Year War Between Starbucks and Its Workers Feb 1, 2026 44:41 In this episode of The Complete History of Coffee, we go inside the Starbucks strike that shook the coffee industry. From baristas walking out to the rise of the Red Cup Rebellion, this moment marks one of the most important labor movements in modern coffee history.What pushed Starbucks workers to strike? How did corporate leadership respond? And what does this mean for the future of coffee cultur

Episode 28: Age of Espresso Dec 24, 2025 27:19 Espresso brought the world out of the Dark Age of Coffee, but how did it do this? Why have handcrafted beverages become the primary way people buy coffee? This episode we will trace espresso's origin out of Italy and its march toward dominating the world market. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 27: Coffee in Africa Apr 6, 2025 32:56 This episode we return to the home of coffee, Africa! What’s been going on since we last left off with Kaldi and his goats? What led Africa to take off as a major player in the coffee industry again? Find all this out, and more this episode as we trace the story of coffee and chocolate in Africa up through the 1950s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 26: Coffee Dark Ages Dec 20, 2024 39:28 What happened to coffee after WWII? Why was everyone suddenly drinking instant coffee? Find out all of this, and more, as Brazil faces its worst coffee disaster yet! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 25: Coffee in World War II Jul 14, 2024 37:43 How was the Americano created? What happened to Latin American civilians of German decent during WWII? Find out all this as we explore how coffee helped the Allied Powers defeat the Nazis and Japan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 24: The Great Depression Part 2 Mar 25, 2024 34:54 How did the largest economic collapse in history affect coffee in the United States? Where did sitcoms find their origin? Why did radio takes off in America? We will answer all these questions and more this episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 23: The Great Depression Jan 8, 2024 30:43 Find out what happens to coffee after the world hits one of the worst disasters of the modern world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 22: The Prohibition Nov 13, 2023 25:46 The Prohibition brought about speakeasies, flappers, muscle cars, and moonshine, but it also paved the way for coffee to take hold in America. Join us in the Jazz Age as we go roaring through the 20s! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 21: Blood Brothers Oct 16, 2023 21:43 Coffee was almost destroyed in the late 1800s, but not before leading to Napoleon's defeat against Russia. Coffee may some day vanish as a result of coffee leaf rust, or it may rise from the ashes as robusta coffee fuels a zombie goat army to overtake the world... Listen and find out! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 20: Coffee History Recap Part 2 Aug 21, 2023 17:15 Coffee was first discovered by King Solomon, but it was lost to history. It was later found by a monk who was banished for help a princesses. The man later became a Saint, and at some point Europe began drinking coffee. Check out this episode to find out how coffee led to the French Revolution, won America's North the Civil War against the Confederate South, and fueled the First World War. Hosted

Episode 19: Why? Jul 17, 2023 30:45 The Great San Francisco Earthquake devastates the coffee industry, as new coffee brands rise and fall across America. And a new moment gains traction, propelling women into the world of coffee, Feminism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 18: Antichrist of Coffee Jun 12, 2023 23:30 Special History of Donuts! Post and Kellogg cereal try to destroy the coffee industry, as espresso is just taking over the world market. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 17: Coffee in World War I May 1, 2023 26:28 Coffee and tea face off for supremacy in the largest war the world has ever seen. WWI was driven by coffee, and as a result coffee will never be the same after the war's end. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bataan Death March Apr 9, 2023 30:36 Emily Knowlton joins me to discuss coffee in the Philippines and the dark history of the Bataan Death March, even bringing stories from her Filipino family members who lived through Japan's invasion of the Philippines and the infamous Death March. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 16: Coffee in Asia Mar 13, 2023 29:49 Coffee has gone on to dominate the west since it left the Middle East. But what has been going on on in Asia over the past few centuries? Join us as we follow coffee's path in the east in the modern era. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

History of Beer Feb 20, 2023 23:15 Beer is one of the oldest drinks on the planet, and it very well may have led to the beginning of civilization itself! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 15: Coffee Cold War Jan 24, 2023 23:18 Coffee's fate is threatened again, as the Sugar King wages a war on one of the largest coffee empires in history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Coffee or Hot Chocolate the True Drink of Christmas? Dec 19, 2022 14:27 The contest is on for the 1st place prize of the official drink of the Holiday Season! Will hot chocolate or coffee prevail? Listen this episode to find out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 14: History of Chicory Dec 5, 2022 12:32 You wake up one morning and there's no coffee. What do you do now? Well, most would simply go to the store and get more, but what if there was no coffee around where you live, and it would not be for several years to come? Many throughout history responded to this question by finding a substitute, and chicory has typically been the most popular substitute for coffee throughout history. Hosted on

Episode 13: The Civil War Was Won On Coffee Nov 21, 2022 25:24 America leads the way with its coffee brands, roasting, and consumption. Coffee again fuels a war, this time against the Confederate's attempted revolt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 12: Latin American Tragedy Nov 7, 2022 27:18 Coffee thrives in Latin America, but it comes at a cost to many of the people in the region. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Complete History of Chocolate Oct 23, 2022 11:57 Member's Episode 3. Follow the story of chocolate from its origin in ancient Mesoamerica as cacao to its arrival in Europe and America as the chocolate we know today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 11: American Revolution Sep 26, 2022 27:39 Following the events of the Boston Massacre and the Tea Tax, the colonist of America decided to boycott tea and become a nation of coffee. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 10: Coffee History Recap Sep 13, 2022 16:39 This episode we cover coffee history as a summarized version of everything we have covered so far, as well as answer some questions, talk about how the podcast is produced, and talk about some stories from my time as a barista. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 9: Coffee Over Seas Aug 29, 2022 26:15 Revolution, slavery, and pirates. Follow coffee on its voyage through the colonial era, from South East Asia to the Caribbean. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 8: Penny University Aug 15, 2022 25:05 Coffee arrives in England during the English Revolution, nearly sparking a second revolution in the country. Listen as we see why coffee took off in Britain, only to be replaced by tea, as we see why coffeehouses became known as Penny Universities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 7: Dawn of Revolution Jul 25, 2022 26:03 Coffee continues its journey in the west as we talk about wine, Thor, and Revolutionary Europe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 6: Coffee vs Beer Jul 11, 2022 25:12 Coffee becomes linked with cannabis in the Netherlands, while battling with beer in Germany to become the national drink of the country. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 5: Coffee Exorcism Jul 4, 2022 25:23 European powers compete for control of coffee, as coffee undergoes an exorcism to become the new drink of Christendom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 4: Satan's Drink Jun 27, 2022 25:47 Coffee's story takes us to Europe as we have a new coffee saint, the Pope's decree on coffee, and a battle between East and West. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alcoholic Coffee Interview Jun 13, 2022 26:38 Interview with the owners of the coffee distillery company, Wayward Sons Distillery, which got its concept from the story of our favorite goat herder Kaldi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 3: Coffee Civil War May 30, 2022 27:29 King Solomon saves the day with coffee, as the wine of Islam spreads across the Middle East, and coffee faces near eradication as a faction of anti-coffee supporters attempt to destroy all of the coffeehouses. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ukraine Special Episode May 23, 2022 24:51 We all know the war in Ukraine has been very devastating. Here's a special episode, along with a song I wrote, to honor the wealth of history from Ukraine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 2: What Even Is Coffee May 16, 2022 24:38 Coffee's journey leads us into the Medieval Islamic world, as we see new accounts of coffee, including bird poop coffee and a saint who discovered coffee after misconduct towards a princess. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 1: Dancing Goats May 9, 2022 7:51 Welcome to the Complete History of Coffee! This series will trace coffee's path through history, as well as tea, chocolate, wine, and more. Today we will begin with a few coffee legends and compare those to the historical record. Get your favorite cup of coffee ready and let's get started. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Complete History of Coffee

Episodes

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