The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-07-22
History of Coffee.


coffee as beverage, yet, comparatively
few OF us know the history of its origin,
where it was first grown, when intro
duced how cultivated and cured.
Accounts differ as to when, where
and by whom coffee was first intro
duced to civilization. An eastern legend
ascribes the discovery of the berry to a
Dervish, who, in the year 1885, being
driven out of Mocha, was induced. in
the extremity of hunger, to roast the
berries which grew near his hiding
place. He ate them, and sleeping the
roasted berries in water to quench his
thirst, discovered their agreeable quail
tiles. But a more authentic account
states it was introduced into Arabia
from Southern Abyssinia (where it is
indigenous) by a Mohammedan high
priest, about the year 1900. We are in
debted to the Persians for the dis
covery of the roasting process, and as
the merits of coffee as a beverage would
have remained unknown without that.
some authorities allow them the credit
of being the first introducers. 1t con-
tinued its course through Syria, and in
the year l55l, we learn, it became the
favorite drink at COnstantinople, and
the oriental coffee house was thronged
night and day. The lowest classes
actually begged money for coffee, and
it is stated that the refusing to supply
wife with coffee was admitted in law as
valid cause for divorce. Europeans are
indebted to the Dutch for their first ac-
quaintance with the coffee plant This
was brought about in the following
manner: Some berries, which had in
the first place been procured, were car
ried to the Island of Java, and there
planted. a specimen plant was sent
home to Amsterdam in 1890 by Gov
ernor Wilson. This plant bore fruit,
from which many young trees were
propagated, and from this original most
of the gardens of Europe and the East
Indies are supposed to have been fur
nished.
In 17l4 plant was presented by the
Magistrates of Amsterdam to the
French King, Louis XII. This plant
was carefully nursed, and from this all
the coffee now found in the Western
Hemisphere derives its origin.
The Persians Immediately adopted
the drink, and it became the fashion
able bevera re of Paris. 1t could only
be INDUCED in by the wealthy few, as
the price was exorbitant. 1t is stated
that sum equivalent to $4,000 per
year was expended for supplying the
daughter of Louis Ky. with the bever-
age. The English owe Mr.. Edwards,
a Turkey merchant, their knowledge of
coffee. This gentleman, about the year
1860, brought to England a Greek
youth, who used to prepare the drink
for his master; the latter, however,
finding that the novelty began to at
tract too many visitors to his house.
gave the boy his liberty, and enabled
him to open coffe-house on his own
account.
AT first it met with violent opposi-
ton; it was denounced as " hell drink"
" hell poison" etc. A heavy tax was
imposed upon it by the legislature,
but, Notwithstanding all opposition, the
beverage constantly gained ground, and
co1fee-houses were as plentiful in Lon
don as at Constantinople.
Across the water the custom Jumped,
and the infant United States com
menced to nourish its strength from
the cottee-pot, and in no place in the
Worlu, probably, are the influences
more healthful, the effects more hap
PLY displayed than in this country,
especially at the Old French Market in
New Orleans, The coffee vendors are
distributed through the market-place
and streets, and are kept as busy as
bees supplying cups of coffee to the
European, Creole, New Highlander,
Westerner, who, standing side by side
in the open street, forget caste, and
sip the nectar.
The coffee houses of New York are
intimately associated with the history
of the city. Here were gathered the
leading literary, professional and mer-
camille men, who discussed the leading
topics of the day, while slipping their
cups of coffee.
But the coffee house is a thing of the
past. The more pretentious club house
has taken its place, and the lovers of
coffee are forced to the restaurant for
their favorite drink.-Selected.