A History of Coffee 4) Just Friends? America’s love affair with coffee
Apr 17, 2023
Explore America's quirky love affair with coffee, from its introduction by colonists in Jamestown to the tea-tossing Boston Tea Party myth. Discover how coffee became a patriotic drink, especially during the Civil War, where it fueled soldiers. Unwrap the late 19th-century coffee boom spurred by immigration and innovative marketing, and witness the rise and fall of coffee's popularity compared to cola. Finally, celebrate the resurgence of specialty coffee in recent years, showcasing America's ever-evolving relationship with this beloved beverage.
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Indigenous Origins Of America's 'Black Drink'
- Early colonial coffee origin stories are likely reversed: indigenous peoples introduced colonists to a caffeinated local drink.
- Jonathan Morris highlights yaupon holly’s black drink as North America’s native stimulant, not imported coffee.
Jamestown Coffee Myth Checked
- James recounts the common internet myth that John Smith introduced coffee to Jamestown in 1607.
- Jonathan Morris disputes that timeline and suggests colonists likely drank indigenous yaupon-derived brews instead.
Yaupon's Decline And Social Stigma
- Yaupon consumption persisted into the 19th century but gained stigma as a 'poor man's beverage.'
- Morris notes the black drink remained common in the Carolinas until around the 1890s.
