American Coffee 18th Century

Without a doubt, coffee continues to be one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. Coffee first originated in Arabia, and as maritime trade became prominent around Europe by the Red Sea route beginning in the 14th century and onward, coffee soon became a foreign commodity enjoyed by Europeans for its acquired taste and resourcefulness throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. When the drink reached England, many interpreted it as another form of medicine, and it soon became available across the country for consumers willing to try the unfamiliar beverage. In addition, coffee had considerable social implications in early modern England as the country became invested in a consumer revolution and the idea of a public sphere (Cowan,

Coffee intrigued people because it was an exotic and imported item. Its foreign appeal inspired merchants to find a use for the drink. Medical entrepreneurs took advantage of people’s curiosity of the beverage and advertised it as an immediate cure for ailments. Apothecaries, retail markets, and coffeehouses soon sold coffee as medicine for the public. Because coffee was more affordable compared to other medicines on the market, it became popular among both the commoners and elites. Instead of feeling helpless, commoners most likely found relief in finding a less expensive alternative for treating their maladies. It was also convenient because it was self-administered. (Cowan, pg. 47, 52) As coffee’s popularity escalated, Pasqua Rosée opened London’s first coffeehouse in 1652 and quickly promoted his coffeehouse by claiming coffee as an effective remedy for a number of conditions including headaches, scurvy, and miscarriages. (Cowan, pg. 49) It can be inferred that coffeehouse owners made bold assertions about coffee to lure customers and make a profit. Esteemed physicians accelerated coffee’s reputation by prescribing coffee to patients and referring them to coffeehouses rather than apothecaries. Coffee even became recommended as a defense against the plague when it spread to England in 1665. The drink’s medicinal uses ranged from curing diseases to digestion. John Chamberlayne, a 17th century English writer, noted in 1682 that “Coffee is said to be very good for those, that have taken too much Drink, Meat, or Fruit” (Chamberlayne, pg. 6). This suggests that coffee was often consumed after a large meal to aid with digestion. Assuming heavier meals were eaten at social gatherings, coffee allowed time for one’s meal to settle and brought the opportunity to socialize with others. Overtime, the drink’s medical acclaims diffused as coffee eventually