Coffee – A Historical Tour - Part III

Coffee – A Historical Tour
By
Roger X. Navas-Balladares

Part III

Louis XIV was known as the Sun King because everything in France revolved around him. He had Versailles built to house the entire French aristocracy so that he could further centralize power. Nothing escaped the King, so it was believed. Enter a young naval officer from the colonial territory of Martinique, Gabriel Mathieu de Clieu. The young officer had heard of the success the Dutch had in growing coffee in Java, and he though Martinique would be a great candidate to establish a coffee plantation. He asked the Royal Botanical Gardens for a graph, and his request was denied. Legend has it he climbed the walls of the Garden on the night he was to leave for Martinique and stole a seedling.

Resolute, de Clieu led a moonlight raid of the Jardin des Plantes—over the wall, into the hothouse, out with a sprout. Aside from running from French Authorities, de Clieu had to fight off jealous shipmates, pirates, and endure storms. At times, it is said water was rationed, and the zealots de Clieu gave half of his ration to the tiny plant.

It is incredible to believe that this tiny seedling was the genetic Eve of all the coffee trees that grew in the Caribbean and Latin America. Next time you enjoy a cup of “French Roast” keep in mind that your brew may have more French Roots then just the Roast. Oh la la mes amies, Bon Appetite!

Be sure to try our Costa Rican French Roast - Micro-Roasted for your enjoyment!

www.SplitBeanCoffee.com