MAKKAH: A 1716 publication titled “Voyage de l’Arabie Heureuse” (“Journey to Arabia Felix”) offers some of the earliest European documentation of coffee production and consumption in southern Arabia, according to Omar Murshid, an antiquarian specializing in local art, heritage and rare historical artifacts.

According to Murshid, the 1716 book, written by French merchant and traveler Jean de La Roque, provides early written evidence connecting products from southern Arabia’s highlands to Europe’s coffeehouse culture.

Speaking to Arab News, Murshid explained that La Roque traveled with missions of the French East India Company to the Red Sea region between 1708 and 1713.

His account is considered one of Europe’s earliest systematic examinations of coffee cultivation, trade, and societal influence.

The text identifies “mokha coffee” as originating in southern Arabian territories historically spanning from Yemen through the Sarawat range, areas that today include Asir, Abha, Jazan, and Najran.

La Roque described coffee trees as native to mountainous environments, noting that cultivation was concentrated in higher elevations rather than lowland areas.

He linked bean quality to altitude and cooler nighttime temperatures and detailed the appearance of the coffee plant, its fruit and preparation process, including roasting, grinding, and brewing.

The book also records that coffee was widely consumed locally before becoming an export commodity, describing it as a part of daily social ritual.

La Roque identified the port of Mokha harbor as the main export center, where coffee harvested from the mountains was transported by camel caravans over journeys lasting 15 to 20 days before being shipped to Europe.

According to Murshid, La Roque documented early European encounters with coffee in Mokha, describing how it was served hot, without sugar or milk, in small dark vessels.

While initially bitter, subsequent sips produced chest openness and mental sharpness, prompting one English trader to proclaim the beverage “stirs the soul and revitalizes the frame beyond French wine.”

Roasting fragrances — merging chocolate, cinnamon, and floral notes — captivated before consumption.

The text highlights the economic value of Arabian coffee at the time. Murshid said La Roque reported that Mokha coffee sold in Paris for significantly higher prices than beans from Java or other parts of the East Indies, reflecting its reputation for quality.

He also observed that coffee’s arrival in Europe contributed to the rise of dedicated gathering spaces in cities including Paris and London, which evolved into cafes associated with social and intellectual exchange.

Health considerations were also addressed. Murshid noted that La Roque cited contemporary European physicians who believed moderate coffee consumption aided digestion and improved mood, views that contributed to its acceptance among European consumers.

In his conclusion, La Roque described Arabia Felix as a region of agricultural and commercial importance despite its difficult terrain and relative remoteness.

Murshid said the account illustrates how coffee production and trade connected southern Arabia to global markets and influenced European habits.

He added that “Voyage de l'Arabie Heureuse” remains an important historical source for understanding the early movement of coffee from southern Arabia to Europe.

The text is frequently referenced in research and cultural initiatives focused on Arabian coffee heritage and continues to inform contemporary discussions about the origins of cafe culture.