Empire 31. Conquering the Night: The History of Coffee
69 snips
Jan 31, 2023 
Cemal Kafadar, a Harvard professor specializing in Ottoman history, joins the discussion to unravel the fascinating journey of coffee. He highlights its surprising origins, including its rumored use as an aphrodisiac. Kafadar dives into the societal significance of coffee houses as centers for political discourse and social interaction. The conversation touches on the roles of women in shaping coffee culture and links its history to modern coffee giants like Starbucks, all while celebrating coffee's enduring cultural legacy.
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A Hyderabad Restoration Story
- William Dalrymple is in Hyderabad celebrating the restoration of a historic building.
- An anonymous donor contributed £1 million after reading his book, White Mughals.
Women of the Ottoman Empire
- The hosts discuss their previous podcast episode with Bettany Hughes.
- The episode focused on the women of the Ottoman Empire and their varying levels of power.
The Frisky Goats
- The origin of coffee is discussed, including a story about a goat herder observing his goats' frisky behavior after consuming coffee berries.
- This anecdote introduces the stimulating effects of coffee.
