The Story of Coffee: How One Bean Changed the World

How did one small bean become one of the most influential products on Earth? In this episode of the say86 Podcast, Tim explores the extraordinary story of coffee, from its legendary beginnings in the forests of Ethiopia to the London coffee houses that helped shape modern business, journalism and global trade.The episode follows coffee’s journey from mountainside farms to the cups we drink every day, uncovering the people, craftsmanship and complex global supply chain behind every brew. Tim also looks at how brands such as Starbucks, Costa and Caffè Nero transformed coffee into a lifestyle, before independent roasters introduced a new generation to speciality coffee, provenance and flavour.This is much more than the history of a drink. It is a story about hospitality, innovation, culture, economics and human connection, while also exploring the challenges facing coffee today, including climate change, rising prices and changing consumer expectations. Pour yourself a cup and discover why coffee has never really been about coffee alone.