The Year That Changed Coffee Forever
The name 1718 is not arbitrary — it marks one of the most consequential moments in the history of coffee.
In 1718, coffee plants first crossed the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas. Dutch merchants introduced Coffea arabica to Suriname in South America, beginning coffee's extraordinary journey westward. From that first planting, coffee spread across Brazil, Colombia, Central America, and the Caribbean — regions that today produce the majority of the world's coffee supply.
From Ethiopia to the World
Coffee's story begins in Ethiopia, its birthplace, where it was first discovered and consumed over a thousand years ago. From Ethiopia, it traveled to Yemen, where it was first cultivated commercially and traded across the Islamic world. By the 1600s, coffee had reached Europe, and coffeehouses became centres of intellectual and social life. Then came 1718 — and the Americas.
Why This Date Matters to Us
At 1718 Coffee, we chose this name to honour the full arc of coffee's journey. The coffees we source and roast in Dubai trace their roots to every chapter of that story — Ethiopian naturals, Colombian washed lots, Brazilian naturals, Yemeni heirlooms, Kenyan AA, and more. Each cup we roast is a continuation of the 300-year journey that began in 1718.
Our name is a commitment: to know where coffee comes from, to respect the people who grow it, and to share its story with everyone who drinks it.
Mohamed Hamdou — Founder & Head Roaster
1718 Coffee was founded by Mohamed Hamdou, a specialty coffee professional and passionate advocate for coffee education in the UAE. Mohamed cups and scores every coffee we sell, maintains direct trade relationships with producers around the world, and personally oversees roasting at our Dubai facility. His commitment to traceability and quality is the foundation of everything 1718 Coffee stands for.
