THE LEGEND OF THE DANCING GOATS

According to legend, in 850 AD, an Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi discovered his goats dancing. Kaldi soon realized that they were being imbued with a magical energy (and otherworldly dance moves) by the consumption of a bright red berry that was growing on several bushes in his fields.

Fascinated by the effects of the berries on his goats, Kaldi decided to try some himself. Like his goats, he was soon filled with a mythical energy that led him to becoming known as the “the happiest herder in happy Arabia”.  

"Kaldi soon realized that his goats were being imbued with magical energy (and otherwordly dance moves) by the consumption of a bright red berry..."

Enthusiastic about his discovery, he brought the berries to the monks at a nearby monastery. The monks however did not approve. They declared that the berries were the work of the Devil and threw them into a raging fire. As the berries burned, a glorious aroma began to rise. Enchanted by the scent, the monks hastily collected the scorched berries from the fire, crushed them beneath their feet to put out the embers, and gathered them in pails of water to preserve them. 

Later, the monks drank the infused water from the pail, and they too were filled with the vigour Kaldi had boasted about. The “coffee” allowed them to continue their devotions and prayers into the early morning hours, and soon became an essential part of their rituals, spreading to monasteries across the world.

Coffee Spreads Across the Globe

Now, thousands of years later, coffee has become an essential part of the daily rituals of millions of people. We have goats to thank for everything coffee gives us - warmth, peace, connection, community, and any “discernible personality whatsoever” (David Letterman).

Capra (the latin name for goat) is named in homage of the most majestic and generous of mammals – the goat. 

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