Coffee is today one of the most important commodities and indispensable for many people in their daily lives. Its beginnings, however, were unremarkable in the remote valleys of Ethiopia. It was only after it became a significant agricultural product in Yemen in the 15th century that the global success story of coffee began: first in the coffee houses of the Middle East, later in the botanical gardens of Europe, and eventually in the cups of the Western world. In Europe, the enjoyment of coffee was associated not only with debates about health risks or benefits but also with a whole new way of life in everyday culture, music, and poetry. Unbeknownst to many, coffee has often been cultivated in tropical regions by slaves or day laborers, serving as a sad counterpoint to the vibrant lives of many plantation owners. Long gone are the days when it was a luxury item; it has become an everyday product.