There’s a long history to coffee, and the name Arabica goes back to where it was rumored that the beans originated—in the Arabian Peninsula. Some also believe that the beans were first cultivated in the same region. The plant species later being named Coffea arabica. Leading to the Arabica coffee meaning referring to the plant species name.
Contrary to popular belief, Arabica beans actually originated in Ethiopia's highlands in what was formally the Kingdom of Kaffa. The Kingdom name itself became the basis of the word coffee. The locals stumbled upon the Arabica plant, and after consuming the beans, they realised they had stimulant properties.
As the method of brewing coffee had not yet been discovered, the local Oromo tribe used to crush the beans, mix them with butter, and create sphere-shaped snacks. They were consumed for the stimulant properties of the beans, like how we enjoy coffee today.
The beans were later distributed from Ethiopia to Yemen and lower Arabia, where they were cultivated for the first time. Some Arab scholars started documenting the practice of brewing coffee after the arrival of the plants. The name ‘Arabica’ came from the beans’ connection to Arabia, where it first gained popularity.
