If your morning doesn’t start until that first sip of coffee, you’re in good company. Humanity has been obsessed with coffee for over a thousand years. But long before it became a daily ritual in bustling cities and cozy kitchens, coffee’s story began in the misty highlands of East Africa—not far from where our Café Ubuntu Coffee grows today.
The Legend That Started It All
As the story goes, a young goat herder named Kaldi was tending his flock in Ethiopia around the 9th century when he noticed something strange: his goats were dancing. Curious, he discovered they’d been nibbling bright red berries from a wild bush. Kaldi tried the berries himself and felt an instant burst of energy.
Word spread quickly. By the 15th century, Yemeni monks were brewing those same berries into a dark, energizing drink that helped them stay awake during long nights of prayer. The drink soon traveled through the Arabian Peninsula, with the port city of Mocha becoming a key hub for this new beverage.
The World’s First Coffeehouses
From Yemen, coffee made its way to Mecca, Cairo, and Istanbul, where it quickly became the drink of choice in conversation-filled cafés. By the 16th century, coffeehouses were the original social networks—places where merchants, poets, and scholars debated, dreamed, and sometimes plotted revolutions.
When coffee reached Europe, it sparked just as much buzz. London’s first coffeehouse opened in 1652 and was called a “penny university” because for a penny, you could buy a cup and share ideas with philosophers and inventors. In Paris, Vienna, and Rome, coffee became part of the cultural fabric—a symbol of energy, art, and connection.
Coffee and Colonialism
As coffee fever spread, so did colonial ambitions. European powers established plantations in tropical colonies, often built on forced labor. By the 18th century, Haiti and Brazil were the world’s largest producers, and coffee had become one of the most traded commodities on Earth—a symbol of both global connection and exploitation.
Over time, new generations of farmers and roasters began to reclaim coffee’s roots, focusing on fair trade, sustainability, and quality. That return to origin brings us back home to Africa.
Kenya: Coffee’s Second Home
Although Ethiopia is coffee’s birthplace, Kenya has become one of its finest storytellers. The first coffee plants arrived here in 1893, grown in the Taita Hills by missionaries. Within decades, Kenya’s volcanic soils and high-altitude climate produced beans unlike any other—vibrant, fruity, and bright, with a signature acidity that coffee lovers around the world now crave.
For decades, colonial systems controlled production. But in the years since independence, Kenyan farmers have built their own cooperatives, roasting and exporting coffee that reflects both craftsmanship and community. Today, Kenyan coffee is among the most celebrated in the world, known for its rich complexity and unmistakable aroma.
Coffee and Culture: Rituals That Unite Us
Every cup tells a story, not just of trade or travel, but of ritual.
In Ethiopia, coffee isn’t rushed. The bunna ceremony can last hours, as beans are roasted, ground, and brewed in a clay pot called a jebena. Each round carries blessings of health and friendship.
In Turkey, coffee is brewed thick and strong in a small copper pot called a cezve, served with conversation, laughter, and sometimes fortune-telling in the leftover grounds.
In Sweden, the daily fika (coffee break) is sacred—a moment to slow down, connect, and recharge with something sweet.
And in Kenya, coffee is woven into everyday life. Traditionally, it’s often prepared by boiling coffee with water and sugar in a sufuria pot, creating a strong, sweet, and communal drink.
Today, that same love for coffee thrives in Kenya’s vibrant café culture. From Kenya's capital city Nairobi to Café Ubuntu in Maai Mahiu and beyond, coffee shops have become gathering spaces — places where conversations flow as easily as the coffee itself. Whether it’s a perfectly pulled espresso or a slow pour-over, every cup tells a story of connection, craftsmanship, and community.
More than a brew, it’s community!
Café Ubuntu Coffee is more than a cup of coffee — it’s a collaboration between Ubuntu Life and Spring Valley Coffee, rooted in the African philosophy of Ubuntu: “I am because we are.”
This philosophy reminds us that we are all connected, and the choices we make ripple far beyond ourselves. With every sip, you’re fueling opportunity — from jobs for Maker Mums, to education and care for children, to a thriving Ubuntu Life Campus in Kenya.
Because great coffee can do more than wake you up. It can change lives.
Discover Our Roasts
Full Body • Orange Acidity • Lingering Finish • Hints of Vanilla • Burnt Sugar & Chocolate
Perfect for:
Moka Pot: A great home-friendly way to capture that espresso intensity and chocolate depth.
French Press: Highlights the roast’s full body and smooth finish, ideal for a cozy morning cup.
Espresso Machine: Brings out its bold body and caramelized sweetness with a rich crema.
• • •
Balanced Body • Citrus Acidity • Smooth Finish • Hints of Vanilla • Blackcurrant & Molasses
Perfect for:
Pour Over (V60 or Chemex): Accentuates the roast’s citrus brightness and clean finish.
AeroPress: Produces a vibrant, balanced cup with a bit more punch—great for travel or a quick brew.
Drip Brewer: A simple, consistent way to enjoy the smooth, sweet notes of this versatile roast.