How Coffee Inspired Art and Literature Around the World
When people talk about the history of coffee, they often mention trade routes, colonialism, and café culture.
What’s rarely highlighted is the essential role women have played at every step — from planting and harvesting to roasting, brewing, and revolutionizing the industry.
This article uncovers the lesser-known yet powerful contributions of women in the coffee world across centuries and continents.
In the earliest days of coffee cultivation, long before it became a global commodity, women were deeply involved in farming practices.
In Ethiopia and Yemen — considered the birthplaces of coffee — women traditionally participated in tending the land, collecting coffee cherries, and processing beans by hand.
These were not small tasks. Harvesting coffee requires care and attention, as picking unripe cherries can negatively affect the final cup.
Women often led this stage of the process with generational knowledge and a deep understanding of local agriculture. Even in the most rural areas, their expertise shaped the quality of the beans.
As coffee expanded to Latin America, Asia, and Africa through colonial trade, women continued to form the backbone of the coffee industry — often without recognition or fair compensation.
On large coffee plantations in Brazil, Colombia, and Kenya, women performed essential work: planting, pruning, picking, washing, and drying beans.
They worked long hours, typically earning less than men and receiving fewer opportunities for advancement.
Despite this, their role was irreplaceable. It’s estimated today that between 60% and 80% of coffee farm labor worldwide is performed by women.
However, many of these women are not landowners. They are hired workers or part of a family-run system in which their labor goes unpaid.
Legal and social barriers have historically excluded them from owning land, accessing financing, or making business decisions — issues that still persist in many parts of the world.
During the colonial era, European powers used coffee plantations to extract resources from colonized countries.
These plantations relied heavily on native labor, and women often bore the double burden of fieldwork and domestic duties.
In regions like the Caribbean and parts of Africa, coffee farms became sites of exploitation. Women, especially those enslaved or colonized, were often subject to harsh conditions.
Their stories are rarely included in mainstream histories, yet they were central to the economic engine driving coffee exports.
The colonial legacy still affects the coffee supply chain today, particularly in how gender inequality remains embedded in many production systems.
While much attention is given to cultivation and trade, women have also played a central role in coffee preparation and rituals.
In Ethiopia, the traditional coffee ceremony is a revered cultural experience — and it’s almost always performed by women.
The host roasts the beans in front of guests, grinds them fresh, and brews them in a jebena (a clay pot). The ceremony involves three rounds of coffee and represents hospitality, community, and spiritual connection.
In Turkey and the Middle East, women historically brewed and served coffee in social and religious gatherings.
Mastery of coffee preparation was considered a valuable skill — even a sign of a woman’s readiness for marriage in some cultures.
These roles, while domestic in nature, positioned women as the cultural custodians of coffee — keeping traditions alive through generations.
In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, a new movement began to emerge: women-led coffee cooperatives. These collectives were formed as a response to economic inequality, gender discrimination, and lack of representation in decision-making.
One powerful example is Café Femenino, launched in 2004 in Peru. It became one of the first coffee cooperatives owned and operated exclusively by women.
Members receive direct payment, leadership training, and community support. Since then, the model has expanded to other countries, including Colombia, Bolivia, Mexico, and Rwanda.
These cooperatives don’t just benefit the women involved — they often lead to better educational outcomes for children, improved community infrastructure, and more sustainable farming practices.
The specialty coffee movement brought new visibility to roles in roasting, cupping, sourcing, and retail. But for years, these spaces were dominated by men — especially in Western countries.
That’s now changing. Today, more women are emerging as Q-graders (certified coffee tasters), roasters, green buyers, and café owners.
Many have launched businesses that focus on traceable, ethical coffee sourcing and highlight female producers.
Notable names include:
Their work has paved the way for a more inclusive and diverse coffee industry.
Despite progress, challenges remain. In many producing countries, women continue to have less access to:
Additionally, in coffee-consuming countries, gender gaps persist in wages, leadership opportunities, and recognition within professional coffee circles.
Events like barista championships, trade expos, and roasting competitions often reflect these disparities.
Tackling these barriers requires a multi-level approach, including policy change, community education, and shifts in consumer behavior.
Promoting gender equity isn’t just about fairness — it leads to better coffee and stronger communities.
Research shows that when women control more income, families spend more on education, health, and nutrition. When women lead, organizations are often more collaborative and resilient.
From a quality perspective, women-led farms and co-ops have produced some of the highest-scoring coffees in recent years.
Their attention to detail and commitment to sustainability make a noticeable difference in the final cup.
For consumers, supporting women in coffee means making intentional choices — looking for labels that highlight women producers, buying from brands with transparent supply chains, and spreading awareness of their impact.
Many organizations are now working to close the gender gap in coffee. Examples include:
Some roasters now feature women-grown or women-roasted coffees as limited editions or core offerings, helping consumers connect with the people behind their brews.
The next wave of coffee innovation will depend heavily on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Women are increasingly taking leadership roles not just on farms, but in logistics, research, sustainability, and policy.
Young women entering the industry today have more role models and resources than ever before. Initiatives supporting barista training, business development, and agricultural education are helping them succeed.
Technology is also playing a role. With better access to mobile devices, women farmers can receive market updates, weather alerts, and educational content — bridging the information gap that once held them back.
Every time you enjoy a cup of coffee, there’s a strong chance a woman was involved in its creation. Whether she picked the cherries, managed the processing station, roasted the beans, or served you in a café, her contribution is part of the story.
For centuries, women’s work in coffee has been undervalued and underreported. But now, their voices are rising. Their names are on packaging. Their farms are featured on café menus. Their stories are shaping the future of coffee.
The next time you sip your favorite brew, take a moment to reflect — and perhaps raise your cup in honor of the women who made it possible.
Gabriel Rodrigues é especialista em finanças pessoais e escritor, com ampla experiência em economia, planejamento financeiro e gestão de recursos. Apaixonado por ajudar as pessoas a alcançarem sua saúde financeira, ele explora temas variados, desde investimentos até estratégias de poupança. Quando não está escrevendo, você pode encontrá-lo estudando novas tendências financeiras e oferecendo consultoria para quem busca melhorar sua relação com o dinheiro.
