Contraband Coffee and the Bans on Coffee Throughout History
Ottoman Empire
Coffee houses can be traced back to the Ottoman Empire, which gave people a place to congregate and socialize since bars were off-limits to most practicing Muslims. Social structures soon became challenged by the rise of coffee houses, since anyone could walk in and enjoy a cup of coffee. The Sultan, Murad IV, banned the consumption of coffee in 1633 since his brother and uncle were killed by revolutionaries who tended to frequent coffee shops. Muran IV would enforce this ban by executing anyone he found consuming the beverage.
England
In 1652, the first coffee house in London opened its doors. Again, the introduction of cafes challenged the hierarchical social structure of the time. People were outraged that a doctor could sit at the same table as a peasant. The most prominent feature of the British coffee house was the accessibility of news. Pamphlets, newspapers, and flyers would be posted on the walls and strewn across the tables all throughout the shop. Most people would go to the cafe to read and discuss what was going on.
Worrisome that the coffee shop goers would speak of politics, King Charles II issued a decree that there would be no “Spreading of False News, and Licentious Talking of Matters of State and Government.” Spies of the king were planted in coffee shops to monitor and enforce this law.
Coffee Houses soon became known as “Penny Universities” due to the cheap coffee and free conversations, and not just any conversations, but intellectual debates.
Germany
On September 13, 1777 Frederick the Great of Germany attempted to outlaw coffee, fearing that its importation was costing his kingdom business. He required that all merchants trying to sell coffee would need to register with the crown. He then proceeded to deny most applicants a license, granting only a few to his closest friends. He also hired “sniffers” to walk the streets in search of any contraband coffee.
With this ban, he urged people to drink beer, as claimed it was the healthier option.
After his death, the ban was lifted, and the German people returned to coffee shops.
America
Coffee became the drink of choice after the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773. Taverns became popular meeting spots, serving both coffee and liquor. Daniel Webster named the Green Dragon Tavern the “Headquarters of the Revolution,” since the Sons of Liberty held many meetings there leading up to the Revolutionary War.