Frederick the Great’s Failed 1777 Coffee Ban in Germany

In 1777, one of Europe’s most powerful monarchs took a stand—not against war or famine, but against coffee. Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, wasn’t just annoyed that his subjects were sipping too much coffee; he was furious that their caffeine habit was draining the nation’s wealth and threatening his beloved beer. His reaction? A royal decree banning coffee outright. But why coffee? And why did it backfire so badly?

The short answer: Frederick issued a royal ban on coffee in 1777 to protect Germany’s beer culture and reduce gold flowing out of the country. It didn’t work—citizens ignored the ban, and by the 1800s, coffee was more popular than ever. Today, Germany is the world’s second-largest importer of green coffee beans.

Why Frederick the Great Hated Coffee

Frederick the Great wasn’t just being a buzzkill. In his 1777 declaration, he expressed deep concern that his people’s growing love for coffee was hurting the economy. He saw money flowing out of Prussia to pay for imported coffee beans, and he wasn’t happy. More importantly, he was a staunch defender of beer. In his eyes, beer was the national drink, the beverage that had fueled Prussian soldiers through countless battles. “I, my ancestors, and the entire nation’s officials were raised on beer,” he wrote. He doubted that coffee-drinking soldiers could endure the hardships of war. “How will they charge into battle when the drums of war sound?” he asked rhetorically. His solution? Ban coffee and promote beer as the superior, patriotic drink.

How the Ban Unfolded—and Why It Failed

Despite the royal decree, Prussians kept drinking coffee. So Frederick got creative. He nationalized coffee roasting, declaring that only state-sanctioned institutions could legally roast beans. This move was designed to choke off the supply of coffee by controlling who could roast and sell it. Roasting became a privilege reserved for the royal family and nobility—an exclusive perk that turned coffee roasting into a status symbol. To enforce the ban, Frederick deployed a rather unusual patrol force: injured soldiers unfit for battle, nicknamed “coffee sniffers” or “coffee noses.” These men were tasked with sniffing out illegal coffee roasting operations on the streets. Their presence had a chilling effect, but it wasn’t enough to stamp out the public’s appetite for coffee.

What Really Happened to Coffee in Germany

The coffee ban didn’t last. By the early 1800s, coffee had made a triumphant return, reclaiming its place as one of Germany’s favorite beverages. Fast forward to 2005, and the numbers tell the real story: Germany imported 17,012,699 bags of green coffee beans that year—approximately 102,000 metric tons—making it the second-largest importer globally, according to the International Coffee Organization. Only the United States imported more (23,189,758 bags, around 139,000 metric tons). Today, coffee and beer coexist peacefully in German culture, enjoyed at all meals without the tension of Frederick’s era.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Frederick the Great really ban coffee in 1777?

Yes. In 1777, Frederick the Great issued a royal declaration attempting to prohibit coffee consumption in Prussia, citing economic concerns and a desire to promote beer as the national drink.

Why did Frederick the Great want to ban coffee?

Frederick believed that coffee drinking was causing Prussia’s wealth to drain overseas due to imported beans. He also wanted to protect beer, which he viewed as the traditional, patriotic beverage that had supported Prussian military success.

How did Frederick try to enforce the coffee ban?

He nationalized coffee roasting, allowing only state-approved institutions to roast beans, effectively limiting access. He also deployed injured soldiers, nicknamed “coffee sniffers,” to detect illegal roasting operations on the streets.

Was the coffee ban successful?

No. The ban was widely ignored by the public, and coffee remained popular. By the 19th century, coffee had become one of Germany’s favorite drinks again, a status it retains to this day.

Is coffee still popular in Germany today?

Yes. As of 2005, Germany was the second-largest importer of green coffee beans in the world, importing 102,000 metric tons. Coffee remains a staple of daily life alongside beer.

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