When Coffee First Came to Germany in 1670

You’ve heard Italy, England, and France had coffee by the 1600s—but what about Germany? Though a German botanist wrote Europe’s first book on coffee in 1582, the drink didn’t arrive in Germany until 1670. Why the delay? And what happened next? This is the untold story of coffee’s rocky start in Germany, from its first café to royal backlash and a Bach opera.

Coffee reached Germany in 1670, over 60 years after it appeared in Italy and nearly a decade later than in Britain and France. The first German coffeehouse opened in Hamburg in 1679, sparking a wave of openings in Leipzig, Stuttgart, and Berlin.

The Delayed Arrival of Coffee in Germany

German botanist Leonhard Rauwolf published detailed accounts of Middle Eastern coffee in his 1582 travelogue—making him Europe’s first published coffee writer. Yet despite this early documentation, coffee didn’t arrive in Germany until 1670, decades after Italy, Britain, and France. The delay wasn’t due to lack of knowledge, but slower cultural adoption.

The First German Coffeehouses and the Brewing Popularity

In 1679, an Englishman opened Germany’s first coffeehouse in Hamburg, igniting a coffee craze. Soon, Leipzig, Stuttgart, and Berlin followed suit, turning coffee into a widespread trend. This rapid spread marked coffee’s official entry into German daily life, despite its late start.

Frederick the Great’s Anti-Coffee Campaign

By the mid-18th century, King Frederick the Great of Prussia grew concerned about the economic impact of coffee. As Germans increasingly favored coffee over traditional beer—especially for breakfast—the king saw a threat to the country’s beer culture and treasury. Imported coffee beans drained money abroad, and the shift in breakfast habits threatened centuries-old traditions. In response, Frederick implemented two key measures: he launched negative propaganda led by royal physicians, claiming excessive coffee consumption could cause infertility, and he raised taxes on coffee, coffee equipment, and roasting tools to make it unaffordable for the average citizen.

Bach’s Coffee Cantata: A Satirical Snapshot of 18th-Century Coffee Culture

In 1734, German composer Johann Sebastian Bach wrote The Coffee Cantata (Schweigt stille, plaudert nicht), a humorous one-act opera that captured the era’s coffee mania and controversy. The piece centers on a father trying to stop his daughter from drinking coffee. He threatens to withhold new clothes, forbid her from attending weddings, and even bar her from going outside—yet nothing works. The daughter defiantly declares: “Without my coffee, I’m like a dried-out lamb on the grill… Coffee is sweeter than a thousand kisses.” She even strikes a bargain with her future husband: he must allow her coffee habit as a condition of marriage. The cantata ends happily, with the daughter marrying and keeping her coffee. Its final line—“As cats won’t give up hunting mice, ladies love their coffee, as do mothers and grandmothers. How can I set an example?”—perfectly sums up coffee’s unshakable popularity in 18th-century Germany. Interestingly, one of Bach’s own daughters was also reportedly a coffee enthusiast, mirroring the opera’s theme.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did coffee first arrive in Germany?

Coffee arrived in Germany in 1670, decades after its introduction in Italy, Britain, and France. Despite German botanist Leonhard Rauwolf documenting coffee in the Middle East in 1582, the drink took time to catch on domestically.

Where was the first coffeehouse in Germany opened?

The first German coffeehouse was opened in Hamburg in 1679 by an Englishman. This sparked a trend, leading to coffeehouses opening soon after in Leipzig, Stuttgart, and Berlin.

Why did Frederick the Great oppose coffee in Germany?

Frederick the Great opposed coffee because it was imported, draining money from the German economy, and because it was replacing traditional beer, especially as a breakfast drink. He saw this as a threat to both national revenue and cultural heritage.

How did Frederick the Great try to reduce coffee consumption?

Frederick the Great used two main strategies: royal physicians spread negative claims about coffee, including that it could cause infertility, and he raised taxes on coffee, coffee brewing equipment, and related tools to make it too expensive for most people.

What is Bach’s Coffee Cantata about?

Bach’s 1734 Coffee Cantata is a satirical opera about a father trying to stop his coffee-loving daughter from drinking it. Despite his threats, she refuses to give it up and eventually secures a marriage deal that allows her to keep drinking coffee. The piece reflects the coffee craze and social tensions of 18th-century Germany.

Did any real historical figures connected to coffee live in Germany during this time?

Yes, German composer Johann Sebastian Bach lived during this period and wrote the Coffee Cantata in 1734. One of his daughters was also reportedly very fond of coffee, which may have inspired parts of the composition.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee History Fans

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