THE ALL NIGHT COFFEE HOUSE PRESENTS

History of the American Coffee House

A BRIEF HISTORY

The American Coffee Houses emerged over a forty year period from 1600 to 1700's. Many of the American coffeehouses evolved from taverns or inns. The Virginia Wine House eventually turned into the Virginia Coffee House. Once established the coffee houses became centers where merchants would carry on essential business. Most of the patrons dropped by for coffee and socializing but soon the number of business activities that took place was unbelievable. The coffee houses became a center for business and trade in the United States.

Coffee houses in the United States were convenient centers for sending and receving mail during times when an absence of street numbers made a postal system futile. The New England Coffee House carried subscription books for the New England Iron and Steel Workers and Connecticut Copper Workers. Some coffee houses even held slave auctions. It was found that more insurance was sold at coffee houses than at the insurance offices themselves. Some of the old coffee houses held about 175 or more people.

A major problem the American coffee houses in the United States faced during early times was the general public's negative perception of them. Most people during those times believed time spent at a coffee house was wasteful. This went against the ethics of prayer and hard work. It was considered sinful and indulgent to spend time in a coffee house. Leisure time was not a luxury many could afford. Many of the American coffee houses were run by women because they were more involved in the social and economic life than women in Europe. Coffee houses were also considered suitable places for women to work. Even though women operated and served the customers in coffee houses they were not allowed to be patrons. This went against the social code of society at the time.

Recipes


QUICK COFFEE FACTS

  • Americans drink 450 million cups of coffee daily.
  • The average American drinks 26.7 gallons of coffee each year.
  • Tea contains only half of the caffeine of coffee.
  • Americans drink 20 percent of the world's coffee. Back to Homepage