From an Ethiopian forest to the café down the street: the road of coffee

A fruit from the forests of Ethiopia passed through the coffeehouses of Yemen and Istanbul, crossed the sea as seedlings, and reached Korea as dabang and instant mix before becoming dozens of cafés in every neighborhood. 12 stories.

Watch from the start in 3D

Chapter 1 · The Fruit

The 1400s. A wild tree in the highland forests of Ethiopia.

1 Where Coffee Was Born
A tree that grew wild in the highland forests of Ethiopia
View in 3D →
2 A Drink for Staying Awake
Drunk by monks in Yemen, sold from the port of Mocha
View in 3D →

Chapter 2 · Coffeehouses

The 1500s–1600s. From Yemen to Istanbul and on to Europe.

3 The Coffeehouses of Istanbul
North from Yemen — places where people gather
View in 3D →
4 Penny Universities
Europe's coffeehouses — places to read the news and argue
View in 3D →

Chapter 3 · Seedlings Cross the Sea

The 1700s–1800s. Coffee plants travel to colonies around the world.

5 Seedlings Cross the Sea
Out of Yemen — to India, Java, Amsterdam, the Caribbean and Brazil
View in 3D →
6 The Coffee Belt and Brazil
The world's biggest coffee grower — built on enslaved labor
View in 3D →

Chapter 4 · Coffee Comes to Korea

The 1880s–1990s. Records and legends, dabang and instant mix.

7 Before the King
Korea's first coffee — records and legends
View in 3D →
8 The Age of the Dabang
Places to meet over coffee
View in 3D →
9 Instant Coffee Mix
Coffee, creamer and sugar in one packet
View in 3D →

Chapter 5 · The Age of Cafés

From 1999. One dot is one café.

10 Coffee to Go
1999 — the age of cafés begins
View in 3D →
11 The Dots Spread
From big cities to small towns
View in 3D →
12 Doors That Open
Finale — a hundred years of doors opening
View in 3D →