Coffee has been around for centuries, but it didn't become popular in America until the mid-1700s. At that time, most Americans drank tea, which was the preferred beverage of the British. But when tensions between Britain and America began to rise, some Americans decided to switch to coffee as a way of showing their support for independence. Coffeehouses also became places where people could discuss politics and debate current events. As coffee became more popular, it started to replace tea as the national beverage. Today, coffee is one of the most popular drinks in America, and millions of people drink it every day.