From the World Book Encyclopaedia:
Before its use as a beverage 700 years ago, coffee was used as a food, then a wine, and then a medicine. Coffee moved from Arabia to Turkey during the 1500's, and to Italy in the early 1600's. Coffee houses sprang up throughout Europe in the 1600's, and people met there for serious discussions. Coffee probably came to America in the 1660's. Coffee growing was introduced in Brazil in the 1700's.

This agrees with the following page:
http://www.koffeekorner.com/koffeehistory.htm They both agree with AnnaS that this matchless ambrosia found its way to Europe through Italy (ti amo Italia!)