Coffee History

Coffee's origin is somewhat of a mystery. One legend traces the discovery back to the 3rd century. Another says that coffee was really discovered by a group of goats and a goat herder. No matter who discovered it, coffee dates back to around 900 A.D.

Everyone is pretty much in agreement that the coffee tree is indigenous to Ethiopia. From there it spread to Arabia, and then to the Far East and South and Central America. Coffee was introduced into Turkey in 1554; Venice in 1615; France in 1644; England and Vienna in 1650 and North America in 1668.* It was first a food, then a wine,a medicine, and finally a beverage.

European coffee houses attracted patrons with more than hot beverages.
The establishments often offered services such as a reading room, musical performances, billiards, and letter writing materials. In Paris, one cafe had a separate room reserved for fighting duels; another hosted the premiere of the world's first motion picture. Even the word "tip" can be traced to coffee houses where patrons wanting good service would place coins in a box that carried the words "To Insure Promptness". In 1732, Johann Sebastian Bach lauded coffee as “The most precious of bliss’s” in his piece entitled "Coffee Cantata".

Coffee became big in the United States in 1773, when King George put a tax on tea. The colonists responded to this tax with The Boston Tea Party and a strong turn to coffee. The roasting of coffee beans began in the 13th century, and drinking coffee for breakfast dates back to the late 1600's. Here in the U.S. 51% of all coffee is still consumed at breakfast.

Over 50 countries grow more than 8 billion pounds of coffee each year. Today, coffee ranks second only to oil as the largest commodity in international commerce with an approximate value of over $10 billion a year; the industry provides more than 20 million jobs.

* 1984 Tea & Coffee Trade Journal Company, Whitestone, N.Y.

DECAFFEINATED COFFEES

PrairieFire understand that some people love the taste of coffee but don’t like or can’t tolerate the caffeine. At PrairieFire we don’t just have one Decaf option we offer a variety of decaf coffees.

A LIST OF OUR DECAF COFFEES.

VANILLA NUT DECAF FLAVORED
NEW! - Our best selling Flavored coffee. A mix that is so great in flavor, it will make you want more and more.

SWISS CHOCOLATE ALMOND DECAF.
We have taken the taste of fresh roasted almonds and mixed them with Swiss chocolate to create this excellent cup of coffee.

PUMPKIN PIE SPICE DECAF FLAVORED
This coffee is selling all year round, not just at the Holidays. It is the perfect afternoon or evening coffee.

HOLIDAY MEMORIES DECAF FLAVORED
A hint of cinnamon sprinkled over a warm Christmas cookie. This has become a great seller all year.

HAZELNUT DECAF FLAVORED
This is one of our better sellers, the rich nutty taste
of Hazelnuts.

DOUBLE NUT DECAF FLAVORED
A taste of shredded coconut blended with our #1 Vanilla Nut coffee.

CREME BRULEE DECAF FLAVORED
If you have ever had the dessert, you will swear that you are drinking a cup of it.

CINNAMON DECAF FLAVORED
Pure and simple this is the first actual flavored coffee.