Cultivation of the coffee bean was believed to have originated in Yemen around 850 B.C. By 900 B.C., the farming of the coffee plant had spread to the rest of Arabia. Although the Yemenites guarded it carefully, the Dutch managed to smuggle some plants and grew them in the Netherlands.

Coffee and tea drinking are a norm in Southeast Asia long before the advent of multinational café franchises. The resurgence of local brew and European influence is definitely prevalent in the Southeast Asian region which already has a rich coffee culture that originated from the comfort of the home to the small shops.

From hearty breakfast to midnight hangouts, coffee has evolved into an urban experience where families relax over a cup of coffee and professionals discuss the latest while surfing the internet. It is believed that one third of Chinese now consume coffee outside their home.