Grapes or Beans?

Kimberly Cheatham

At one time in England, certain merchandisers were upset when coffee was introduced. Those selling wine felt threatened when coffee became more popular. They even started a campaign to get Charles II to issue an order to surpress coffeehouses. Public outcry forced the order to be retracted. That was on January 8, 1675.

The word “coffee” was once used as a term for wine, but was later used to describe a black drink made from the berries of a tree. This black drink replaced wine in many religious ceremonies because it kept the Mohameddans alert during their nightly prayers. They honored it with the name they originally gave to wine.