English – State Matura, August 2026

Coffee is essential in our dynamic lives, a source of inspiration that awakens both our body and mind to the possibilities of each day. But it is much more than that. Coffee is a global cultural force and a well-loved ritual. But where did coffee originally come from, and how did it make its way to Europe?

Ethiopia is widely considered the epicentre of coffee’s origin. According to a famous legend, around 800 AD, Kaldi, an Ethiopian goat herder, noticed his goats acting very strangely. They became energised and excited after eating some berries from a particular tree. Curious, Kaldi tried the berries himself, and immediately felt alert and full of energy. He took these berries to nearby monks, who claimed they were the work of the devil, and threw them into a fire. As the berries burned, a rich and heavenly aroma was released. Realising the mistake, the monks quickly raked the berries from the fire, crushed them into embers, and placed them into a jug filled with hot water to preserve them. When they drank this new mixture, they discovered it helped them stay awake during nightly devotions and prayers.

A well-known legend from Yemen offers a slightly different version of coffee’s discovery. A Yemeni Sufi mystic was traveling through Ethiopia on spiritual matters when he encountered some very energetic and enthusiastic birds eating fruit from a plant, which is now known as the coffee plant. Exhausted from his journey, he decided to try these berries himself, and found that they also gave him renewed energy. Yemeni traders later brought coffee plants back to their homeland, where they began cultivating them.

A major turning point in the history of coffee was the opening of the world’s first coffee house in Constantinople in 1475, now known as Istanbul. Coffee was brewed at home as part of daily routine, and served to guests as a sign of hospitality. Outside the home, coffee houses became social hubs where people gathered not only to drink coffee, but also to engage in conversation, listen to music, watch performers, play chess, gossip, and share news. In the absence of modern technology, these coffee houses quickly became places for exchanging and gathering information. They were often referred to as “Schools of the Wise”.

By the 17th century, coffee had reached Europe and became increasingly popular across the continent. European coffee culture began in Italy, where coffee was imported from the Ottoman Empire. Venetian merchants played a key role in spreading coffee throughout Europe, and in 1645, the first ever European coffee house opened in Venice. Drinking coffee soon became a great commodity, especially among wealthy people.

Coffee later gained popularity in England as well. The first English coffee house opened in Oxford in 1651, followed by many others, particularly in London. These establishments were reserved exclusively for men, who gathered to discuss business, exchange news, and socialise. It is believed that many successful business ventures and fruitful ideas started in London’s coffee houses.

Today, coffee is one of the world’s most popular and beloved beverages, valued for its ability to fine-tune focus and boost energy level.

Do you know that events like a hug from a close friend, a good grade or a joke activate chemicals in the brain that make your lips curve upward, and the corners of your eyes crinkle? Although this all happens over the course of a few seconds, it still has a lasting, profound impact. The mere act of smiling has been scientifically proven to ameliorate one’s attitude, and overall well-being.

It is well known that laughter and smiling, in general, are the best medicine. When you smile, released chemicals in your brain help fight illness, acting as natural pain relievers as well as strengthening your immune system.

Moreover, just like yawning, smiling is contagious. When you are around someone with a smile spread across their face, you are likely to develop that same positive mindset. This is because when we see people smile, our brain recognises their body language, and neurons cause us to “mirror” that same facial expression. Given that smiling is linked to an affable personality, it helps us develop stronger bonds with those in our lives. In fact, a genuine smile has been said to increase cooperation, and trust in relationships.

Building on this, smiling can even influence the wider environments, and communities around us. Psychologists studying “emotional contagion” have found that workplaces or classrooms where people smile more frequently report higher cooperation, creativity, and problem-solving ability. A study showed that when leaders smile during meetings, their teams report lower stress levels, and greater motivation to complete difficult tasks. Smiles create a positive feedback loop: they calm the smiler’s nervous system, which in turn signals safety to others, making the group more cohesive. This phenomenon shows that smiling can be so much more than a personal wellness hack. It’s a small but potent social tool that can ripple outward to improve our collective well-being.

In a time when mental health challenges threaten the well-being of teens around the world, smiling serves as a helpful strategy to combat feelings of isolation, stress, and depression. So, the next time you are having a difficult day or feeling down, try putting on a smile on your face. For many, this simple tactic has proven advantageous, yielding benefits in every aspect of their lives.