ALBAWABA - A recent study has discovered some interesting facts about the origins of the coffee plant, especially the Arabic coffee variety. Surprisingly, the study reveals that Arabica coffee even predates the arrival of Arabs in the Arabian Peninsula, even though they were among the first to prepare and savor it.
Using advanced genetic analysis, researchers determined that Arabica coffee originated around 600000 years ago through natural hybridization in the lush mountain forests of southwestern Ethiopia. This finding places the birth of Arabica coffee long before the emergence of the first Arabs, including figures from ancient history.
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Over millennia, Arabica coffee endured a lot of ups and downs, thriving in warm and humid conditions, while also enduring hardships during dry seasons. Victor Albert, a biologist from the University of Buffalo involved in the study, said that Arabica coffee's genesis predates any human involvement, showing its deep connection to nature.
While wild coffee plants first sprouted in Ethiopia, historical accounts credit Yemen with the earliest known roasting and preparation of coffee around 1400 years ago, before spreading to neighboOring regions like India.
Today, Arabic coffee, also known as "Arabica," makes up a considerable amount of the global coffee market, as cultivation of it has gone beyond Arab nations.
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Climate change, notably changes in humidity and drought, played an important role in shaping the coffee plant's evolution. The study identified genetic markers in certain Arabica varieties resistant to leaf rust, a common threat to coffee farmers.
By studying the genetic makeup of different coffee species, researchers aim to hopefully strengthen the coffee plant's resilience against pests and climate change, ensuring that generations to come will continue to be able to enjoy it as well.
