Coffee has a long and interesting history in Britain. London's first coffeehouse was established in 1652 at St. Michael's Alley in Cornhill. The Queen's Lane Coffee House in Oxford was opened in 1654. Both are still very much in business. Coffee's popularity in Britain has lasted straight through from Oliver Cromwell's time right up to today.
Coffee had been first introduced to Europe in the 1600s. It was brought by Venetian merchants through trade with the Ottoman Empire. The first caf was opened in Venice. Soon coffee houses became popular places for informal socializing and making business connections in cities throughout Europe.
Coffee was sometimes recommended for medicinal purposes. However, there were people who vigorously opposed the drinking of coffee.
Some people thought its stimulant effects were not good for ones health. Some also disliked the trend of people sitting around in coffee houses. They thought the gossip over coffee could lead to mischief and political unrest.
At one time the controversy was so intense that Pope Clement VIII was asked for his advice on the matter of coffee drinking. After tasting a well-brewed cup he gave his approval and pronounced coffee an acceptable beverage.
Though generally thought of as dealing in tea, the British East India Company soon got in on the coffee trade also and did a brisk business in the popular beverage. As a result there were over 3,000 coffee establishments in England by the year 1675.
In England, Italy, Austria and the Netherlands, businessmen gathered at coffee houses. Some of these meetings lead to larger business alliances. The London Stock Exchange started from Jonathan's Coffee House. Lloyds of London was founded out of Edward Lloyds coffee house. It was opened in 1668 and was a popular spot for overseas traders and merchants to get together. Coffee remains one of the most popular drinks, behind only tea and water. On average, 70 million cups of coffee are consumed per day in the United Kingdom. There has been a worldwide boom in coffee interest.
Just as there is wine hobbyists we know see coffee hobbyists. Coffee tastings, called cuppings, and home roasting are growing in popularity. Coffee drinkers can now buy estate coffee beans. These are beans grown on a single estate so they have a distinctive flavour.
Recent research shows that coffee taken in moderation is not bad for one's health. Those who are concerned about too much caffeine consumption can buy gourmet beans or pre-ground coffee that is decaffeinated.
Decaf and instant coffees used to be looked down on by serious coffee enthusiasts, but those days are over.
This article was written on behalf of Whittard of Chelsea. For more information see Coffee tea
Posted under Tea
This post was written by Bob Jenkins on February 23, 2011


