The History and Early Spread of European Cafés: From Italy to Vienna
The concept of cafés, or coffee houses, as social and cultural hubs, has its roots firmly planted in the 17th century Europe. While the exact origins of coffee consumption can be traced back to the Middle East in the 15th century, it was the Europeans who began to establish these unique establishments that would become a defining part of European culture.
Origins and Early Developments
According to the myth, coffee was discovered in Ethiopia by a goat herder named Kaldi, who noticed the energetic behavior of his goats after they consumed coffee berries. Upon observing this, he informed the local monks, who then conducted experiments to determine if the berries were safe. From this discovery, the bean became a significant part of daily life, eventually spreading to the Arabian Peninsula in the 15th century. The Arabs were the first to establish coffee houses as a social phenomenon, beginning in the 1550s.
The impact of coffee on European society can be seen through the establishment of the first known European café in Venice, Italy, in 1645. This marked the beginning of a rapid spread of these establishments throughout Europe. Cities like Paris, London, and Vienna became hubs for these social and cultural gatherings, fostering discussions and promoting commerce.
Key Establishments
London: The first coffee house in London, known as the Turk's Head, was established in 1652. Pasqua Rosee, an immigrant from Smyrna, set up this establishment in St. Michael's Alley in Cornhill. The establishment quickly gained popularity among members of the Levant Company, who traded with the Ottoman Empire. Paris: In 1672, two Armenians, Pascal and Maliban, established the first European coffee houses in Paris. This was well before the first Kaffeehaus in Vienna, which was founded in 1685 after the second siege of the Turks. Venice: Venice can be credited as the birthplace of European cafés, with its first known establishment opening in 1645. This café quickly became a central meeting place for locals and travelers alike. Vienna: Vienna saw its first coffee house in 1685, which played a significant role in the coffee culture of Central Europe. The establishment was notably influenced by the Ottoman Empire and was pivotal in spreading coffee culture.A Strange Beverage, an Unexpected Success
Originally seen as a strange beverage by many, coffee quickly gained acceptance in European society. This can be seen in the example of the establishment of coffee houses in London. By 1662, the Great Turk had established a café in London, offering coffee, tobacco, and Turkish sweets and sorbets. The atmosphere was so exotic that people began wearing turbans, much like how today’s traders might don a golfing hat.
London’s fascination with the new brew was recorded in The Kingdom's Intelligencer, a weekly publication of the time. It described how the Turks Head, the name given to the first London café, attracted traders from the Levant Company. The famous diarist Samuel Pepys, in his diary, recorded his experience of sending for coffee on September 25, 1669.
Global Influence of Armenian Traders
Though coffee beans do not naturally grow in Armenia, the country played a significant role in the spread of coffee to Europe. Armenians were known for their trading networks, which contributed to the distribution of coffee across Europe. In Paris, the Armenian traders Pascal and Maliban were instrumental in the establishment of the first European coffee houses there in the 1670s. This connection between Armenian traders and coffee in the public eye was so strong that in a French play from 1696, a coffee merchant is referred to as "a naturalized Armenian," highlighting the enduring link between Armenians and the coffee trade.
In conclusion, the early spread of European cafés is a testament to the cultural exchanges and trade networks that characterized the 17th century. From Venice’s first known café in 1645 to the establishment of coffee houses in Paris and London, and finally to the iconic Kaffeehaus in Vienna, the history of the café is an intricate tapestry woven through the threads of trade, cultural exchange, and social curiosity.