Religion
Jordanian man pouring a cup of their traditional coffee
As coffee spread through the Arab world, it became invaluable to people who needed to stay awake during their frequent religious ceremonies. Since many Arabic religions banned alcohol, coffee became a very good substitute. It quickly integrated itself firmly in Arabic societies. Coffee started being known as the "wine of arabia"
Prohibition
There have been several instances when coffee was prohibited, allowing no one to buy, sell, or drink it. This could be for both religious or economical reasons.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church banned coffee for a long time, because they saw it as a Muslim drink, and they were of course competing with the Muslim Religion for power at that time.
There was an intense debate among scholars in Mecca in 1511 about whether or not the effects of Coffee were intoxicating, like alcohol. If it was then considered to be intoxicating it would have been banned, like alcohol. It was repressed a few times but it lasted out in the long run.
In 1777, coffee was banned in Prussia by Frederick the Great. Since Prussia had no colonies with which to grow coffee plants, they had to import all of their coffee, which was extremely expensive. Frederick the Great wanted to force people back into drinking Beer as their normal morning beverage because it would be less expensive.
The Pope in 1605 claimed that coffee was "satans drink," but then lamented about how he couldn't believe that because of how delicious and energizing it was. He decided to trick the devil by baptizing coffee, making it a godl
Even today, organizations like the Seventh-day Adventist Church discourage their followers from the consumption of tea and coffee, claiming the health defects deeply outweigh any benefits.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church banned coffee for a long time, because they saw it as a Muslim drink, and they were of course competing with the Muslim Religion for power at that time.
There was an intense debate among scholars in Mecca in 1511 about whether or not the effects of Coffee were intoxicating, like alcohol. If it was then considered to be intoxicating it would have been banned, like alcohol. It was repressed a few times but it lasted out in the long run.
In 1777, coffee was banned in Prussia by Frederick the Great. Since Prussia had no colonies with which to grow coffee plants, they had to import all of their coffee, which was extremely expensive. Frederick the Great wanted to force people back into drinking Beer as their normal morning beverage because it would be less expensive.
The Pope in 1605 claimed that coffee was "satans drink," but then lamented about how he couldn't believe that because of how delicious and energizing it was. He decided to trick the devil by baptizing coffee, making it a godl
Even today, organizations like the Seventh-day Adventist Church discourage their followers from the consumption of tea and coffee, claiming the health defects deeply outweigh any benefits.
