Following coffee through the centuries. Third in a series.
Coffee houses began to appear. It is recorded that the first coffee house was established in Damascus. Later in the 16th century, Constantinople.
Coffee houses became the gathering place to discuss politics and business. They were places where people could freely criticize the government. Soon checkers, chess and other social games found a home at the coffee shops.
Jean Chardin, a 17th century French travel discovered the coffee house concept and brought the idea back to Western Europe first appearing in Venice. In 1654, England’s first coffee house. Scholars enjoyed discussing ideas over a cup of coffee because the caffeine helped keep their thoughts clear.
Coffee houses reach the Americas in the later 17th century, first in Boston, later in New York. It wasn’t long before coffee replaces beer as the beverage for breakfast.