A Brief History Of Coffee

Following its discovery in about 850AD, coffee was initially consumed as a cold drink made directly from coffee cherries picked from the plant.

It took over 200 years before somebody discovered that the beverage tasted much better if the beans were roasted, ground and added to very hot water. It became very popular with Muslims in the late 1200's and effectively became a part of their religion. Coffee found its way into the Middle East, North Africa and India thanks to the Muslim religion.

European nations were late to the party and it was not until the seventeenth century that coffee was readily available. It is said that travellers from Venice first brought back beans from the Middle East, after enjoying the beverage in established 'coffee houses' in foreign lands.

it was not long before Italians were importing coffee into the country and the first coffee house was opening in Venice in 1645. Britain soon followed, despite being great tea drinkers, and the first coffee house was opened in London 5 years later. The French did not catch on until 40 years later when the first coffee shop opened in Paris in 1686.

The delights of coffee drinking spread swiftly throughout Europe. By the 18th century there were huge numbers of establishments in the major cities in Europe. It is said that the custom of tipping waiters started in a busy London coffee shop. A small wooden box was put on display with a sign saying, "To Insure Prompt Service" (TIPS). Customers were encouraged to drop a coin or two into the box.

These premises became very popular with intellectuals, musicians, artists, politicians and other high flyers of the day. In Paris, coffee houses attracted revolutionaries, who discussed their plans to topple the French monarchy.

Coffee houses have also played an important part in commerce and finance. For example, Jonathan's Coffee House in Change Alley, which was used by stockbrokers, would later develop into the London Stock Exchange. Similarly, ship owners and marine insurance brokers would meet at Edward Lloyd's Coffee House in Lombard Street and it would later become the centre of world insurance and the headquarters of Lloyds of London.

In the United States too, coffee drinking had a big influence. Coffee houses appeared in New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore. The Green Dragon coffee house became a meeting place for John Adams and other revolutionaries plotting against England.

The New York Stock Exchange and Wall Street are said to be formed on land near to popular coffee houses where local businessman and bankers drank their favorite beverage.

As can be appreciated coffee has been indoctrinated into most cultures of the world and has had a part to play in world events, from the French Revolution to the Boston tea party.

by: Fenton Wayne

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