Coffee has been caffeinating the masses since as early as the 13th Century, apparently. Having originated in Ethiopia, coffee made its way around the world over the next 600 years, delighting the exhausted with it's bitter jolt.
By 1675, England boasted more than 3,000 coffee houses. These establishments were the perfect spot for men to gather to discuss all sorts of manly things like religion and politics. That's right--BOYS ONLY! NO GIRLS ALLOWED! Gasp! I know quite a few women who would have been banging down those doors just for a cup o' Joe!
But women didn't seem to mind back then. As a matter of fact, it was stated in the anonymous 1674 "Women's Petition Against Coffee" tract:
"...the Excessive Use of that Newfangled, Abominable, Heathenish Liquor called COFFEE ...has...Eunucht our Husbands, and Crippled our more kind Gallants, that they are become as Impotent, as Age."
Yikes! Reign it in, gentlemen! BACK OFF THE SAUCE!!
Tell me...how do you take your coffee?? Are you a simple "just black" kinda guy or gal? Or do you like to put the Starbucks baristas through their paces?? Me? I usually go with an Iced Decaf Soy Latte, but today, I'm gonna make it a half-caf!
Share your favorite coffee concoction in the comments and be entered to win a $10 gift card to Starbucks!