Why Britain Embraced Coffee Before France

When did coffee first arrive in Britain—and why does it matter? Most assume France led the way in European coffee culture, but the truth is more surprising. Long before Parisian cafés became iconic, Britons were already gathering over cups of Turkish coffee, debating politics, science, and society in the very spaces that helped shape modern Britain.

The answer is clear: Britain encountered coffee in the early 1630s, with the first documented case in 1637. That’s at least a decade before coffee gained similar traction in France. The shift began with a Cretan student drinking Turkish coffee daily in Oxford.

A Cretan Student Sparked Britain’s Coffee Craze

According to the diary of English writer John Evelyn, dated 1637, he met a student named Nathaniel Conopios from Crete at Oxford. Conopios, studying in England, drank Turkish coffee every morning and shared it with friends. This marked one of the earliest recorded instances of coffee consumption in Britain.

Oxford: The Birthplace of the UK’s First Coffeehouse

Coffee quickly caught on among Oxford’s scholars. In 1650, Lebanese immigrant Jacob opened the UK’s first coffeehouse in Oxford, attracting a steady stream of students. Just five years later, in 1655, another coffeehouse opened nearby—this time thanks to local pharmacist Daniel Tillyard, who started serving coffee to meet student demand. Tillyard’s establishment became a hub for academic debate, regularly visited by notable figures including scientist Robert Boyle. It eventually evolved into the Oxford Coffee Club, which in 1660 grew into the Royal Society, the world’s oldest scientific academy still in operation.

London’s Coffee Revolution Begins

By 1652, Pasqua Rosee, an Armenian immigrant, had opened London’s first coffeehouse. The city quickly embraced the trend. By 1660, coffeehouses had become the go-to social venues for gentlemen, surpassing traditional taverns in popularity. This shift impacted government alcohol taxes, prompting authorities to introduce a coffee tax of four pence per gallon. Yet public enthusiasm barely waned. Coffee was widely believed to aid digestion, heal stomach ailments, cure headaches, and boost alertness. Though doctors objected—seeing their monopoly on remedies threatened—Londoners remained loyal to their coffee.

How Coffee Shaped British Society

Coffeehouses weren’t just places to drink—they were incubators for discussion, debate, and innovation. They served as informal meeting points for traders, insurers, and political thinkers, influencing the development of stock exchanges and insurance markets. For British gentlemen, coffee symbolised sobriety and rational thought. Over time, these establishments became central to public life, fostering the exchange of ideas that would help define modern Britain.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did coffee first arrive in Britain?

Coffee first arrived in Britain in the early 1630s, with the earliest documented case occurring in 1637, when English writer John Evelyn recorded a Cretan student drinking Turkish coffee daily in Oxford.

Where was the first coffeehouse in the UK opened?

The first coffeehouse in the UK was opened in Oxford in 1650 by Lebanese immigrant Jacob. It catered mainly to students and became a hub for intellectual gatherings.

How did coffee impact British scientific societies?

Coffeehouses played a key role in the formation of the Royal Society. The Oxford Coffee Club, which met in a coffeehouse near the university, evolved into the Royal Society in 1660—the world’s oldest scientific academy still active today.

Why did the British government tax coffee?

The British government introduced a four-pence-per-gallon tax on coffee in the 1660s because coffeehouses were cutting into alcohol sales and tax revenues from taverns.

What health benefits did people believe coffee had in the 1600s?

In 17th-century Britain, coffee was thought to aid digestion, heal stomach wounds, cure headaches and coughs, and improve alertness and mental clarity.

Did doctors support the rise of coffee in Britain?

No, many doctors opposed the spread of coffee because it bypassed their control over medicinal remedies. Some even tried to discredit coffee by claiming it needed to be mixed with other substances to have any effect.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee History Fans

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