Long before espresso machines and city cafés, there was a shepherd and his goats dancing in the mountains of Ethiopia.
His name was Kaldi, a young goatherd who spent his days watching his flock roam the green hills near the monastery of Kaffa. Life there was quiet, just wind, songbirds, and the soft bleating of goats echoing across the valley. Until one afternoon, when Kaldi noticed something strange. His goats weren’t resting. They were leaping, spinning, kicking their legs into the air like they’d gone mad, or like they’d discovered some secret joy.
Kaldi followed their excitement to a low, leafy shrub covered in clusters of bright red berries. The goats chewed them eagerly, their eyes wide, their movements wild. Curious, Kaldi plucked a few of the berries himself. They were bitter and earthy, but within minutes he felt the same electric surge, his heart awake, his thoughts sharp, his fatigue gone as if he’d been touched by lightning.
He gathered handfuls of the berries and ran to the nearby monastery, eager to share his discovery. The monks there were skeptical. To them, the idea of berries that made goats dance sounded like trickery, perhaps even the work of the devil. One monk tossed the berries into the fire, muttering a prayer of protection. But as they burned, the air filled with a rich, captivating aroma none of them had ever smelled before. The monks hesitated, then scooped the roasted beans from the embers, ground them, and steeped them in hot water.
The drink that resulted was dark, fragrant, and unlike anything they had ever tasted. It gave them energy, clarity, and wakefulness through long nights of prayer. They called it qahwah, the drink of strength.
Word spread beyond the monastery walls. Traders carried the secret north to Arabia, where it became a morning ritual in Yemen. From there it reached Cairo, Istanbul, and Venice, crossing deserts, oceans, and centuries to become the drink that fuels the world today.
Whether the story of Kaldi and his goats is history or legend hardly matters now. What began as a handful of curious red berries became a global ritual—proof that even small moments of wonder can change the course of humanity. Every cup poured carries a whisper of those mountain winds, of dancing goats, and of one shepherd who dared to taste the unknown.
At Headcount® Coffee, we honor that story with every roast. Curiosity, craft, and discovery are the heart of what we do—just as they were for Kaldi centuries ago. When you brew your next cup, take a moment to imagine those first sparks of energy leaping across the hills of Ethiopia. That’s where it all began.
And maybe, just maybe, your coffee will make you dance too.
👉 Explore our fresh-roasted coffees and taste where the legend began.
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