History of Coffee - England 1690

Coffee’s success in Europe’s rapidly growing cities resulted from the growing resentment against the effects of wine and beer. In England, Italy, France and Holland the coffee house became an immediate threat to the saloons and bars. A gentleman, without fear of intoxication, could slake his thirst and fulfill his need for social and intellectual interaction. The stimulation of coffee would not carry him beyond the confines of good taste.

By 1690, the coffee house was an institution in London and the beverage was sold all over the city. Four pence tax was levied by the Crown on every gallon of coffee sold, and an annual license fee of 12 pence was demanded from each establishment. Green coffee sold for 5 shillings a pound and it was to climb once to a price equal to 48 dollars.

Opposition to the coffee house came from the tavern keepers who saw a quick decline to the liquor trade in the burgeoning competition of coffee. But the forces of temperance prospered and by 1715 there were more than 2,000 London coffee houses catering to every class of society. London consumed more coffee than any other city in the world.

Yours truly,

Mariano Ospina

History of Coffee - London 1690

Coffee’s success in Europe's rapidly growing cities resulted from the growing resentment against the effects of wines and beer. In England, Italy, France and Holland the coffee house became an immediate threat to the saloons and bars. A gentleman, without fear of intoxication, could slake his thirst and fulfill his need for social and intellectual interaction. The stimulation of coffee would not carry him beyond the confines of good taste.

By 1690, the coffee house was an institution in London and the beverage was sold all over the city. Opposition to the coffee house came from the tavern keepers who saw a quick decline to the liquor trade in the burgeoning competition of coffee. But the forces of temperance prospered and by 1715 there were more than 2,000 London coffee houses catering to every class of society. London consumed more coffee than any other city in the world.

Yours truly,

Mariano Ospina

History of Coffee - Europe 1660

The success of coffee in Europe's rapidly booming cities resulted from the growing resentment against the effects of wine and beer. In England, France, Italy and Holland the coffee houses became an immediate threat to the saloons and bars.

Without the fear of intoxication, a gentleman could slake his thirst and fulfill his need for social and intellectual discussion. The literati, politicians, priests, courtiers and nobles began to patronize one or another of the coffee houses, which soon became the meeting places for their particular groups.

"By 1660, the coffee house was an institution in London and the beverage was sold all over the city. Four-pence tax was levied by the crown on every gallon of coffee sold," narrates Colombian Professor Andres Uribe, in his book "Brown Gold", the amazing story of coffee.

With best regards,

Mariano Ospina