{"id":14521,"date":"2025-05-23T22:37:27","date_gmt":"2025-05-23T21:37:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/?p=14521"},"modified":"2025-06-13T13:31:00","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T12:31:00","slug":"how-coffee-conquered-edinburgh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/eternal-14521-how-coffee-conquered-edinburgh","title":{"rendered":"How Coffee Conquered Edinburgh"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Coffee is rightly considered one of the most aromatic drinks in the world. It\u2019s synonymous with the perfect start to the day \u2013 a time for leisurely planning, enjoying breakfast, and celebrating the morning with a fresh cup. It&#8217;s a ritual that anticipates good things to come. But coffee is also a steadfast companion for business meetings, catch-ups with friends, and cosy evenings. After all, treating oneself to a fragrant coffee is a wonderful way to unwind from the daily hustle and bustle. More at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\">iedinburgh<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a1ba0d83fc1c\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a1ba0d83fc1c\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/eternal-14521-how-coffee-conquered-edinburgh\/#A_Drink_with_a_Rich_History\" >A Drink with a Rich History<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/eternal-14521-how-coffee-conquered-edinburgh\/#The_Coffee_House_An_Ambassador_for_a_New_Craze\" >The Coffee House: An Ambassador for a New Craze<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/eternal-14521-how-coffee-conquered-edinburgh\/#Edinburghs_First_Coffee_Houses\" >Edinburgh&#8217;s First Coffee Houses<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/eternal-14521-how-coffee-conquered-edinburgh\/#The_Journey_of_the_Bean_Importing_Coffee_to_Edinburgh\" >The Journey of the Bean: Importing Coffee to Edinburgh<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/eternal-14521-how-coffee-conquered-edinburgh\/#Smuggling_and_Surcharges\" >Smuggling and Surcharges<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/eternal-14521-how-coffee-conquered-edinburgh\/#More_Than_a_Drink_Coffee_Houses_as_Business_Hubs\" >More Than a Drink: Coffee Houses as Business Hubs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/eternal-14521-how-coffee-conquered-edinburgh\/#A_Gentlemans_Brew\" >A Gentleman&#8217;s Brew<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/eternal-14521-how-coffee-conquered-edinburgh\/#Sedition_and_Scandal_The_Darker_Side_of_Coffee_Houses\" >Sedition and Scandal: The Darker Side of Coffee Houses<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Drink_with_a_Rich_History\"><\/span>A Drink with a Rich History<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>But coffee is more than just its unique taste and unforgettable aroma. <strong>This beverage has a fascinating history<\/strong> that is sure to intrigue any true coffee aficionado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Coffee_House_An_Ambassador_for_a_New_Craze\"><\/span>The Coffee House: An Ambassador for a New Craze<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the story of British coffee, Scotland plays a leading role. The drink <strong>first appeared in Scotland<\/strong> before spreading throughout the rest of Britain by the mid-17th century. Naturally, like most imported goods, this aromatic beverage was initially a luxury only the wealthiest could afford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, coffee quickly became an integral part of Scottish public life. The most popular way to experience it was by visiting a coffee house. While London\u2019s first such establishments appeared in 1652, they only began to open in Scotland in 1673.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Edinburghs_First_Coffee_Houses\"><\/span>Edinburgh&#8217;s First Coffee Houses<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In Edinburgh, the city&#8217;s first coffee house was opened by a man named John&#8217;s Row. He chose to locate &#8216;Robertson&#8217;s Land&#8217;, as it was called, within a tenement building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the end of the 17th century, the popularity of coffee houses had soared. Interestingly, records from the period show that they were <strong>predominantly owned by women<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Journey_of_the_Bean_Importing_Coffee_to_Edinburgh\"><\/span>The Journey of the Bean: Importing Coffee to Edinburgh<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"699\" height=\"469\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.iedinburgh.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/17200224\/image-24.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14522\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.iedinburgh.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/17200224\/image-24.png 699w, https:\/\/cdn.iedinburgh.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/17200224\/image-24-300x201.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.iedinburgh.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/17200224\/image-24-696x467.png 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 699px) 100vw, 699px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As mentioned, coffee was an imported product, and its arrival on the market caused a sensation, especially once people truly appreciated its benefits and unique flavour. Edinburgh had its own distinct supply routes for the coveted beans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The product arrived in the city either via London or through the port of Leith, imported by merchants working for the British and Dutch East India Companies. Typically, the trade routes to Scotland passed through Dutch ports. The coffee itself originally came from Yemen and the city of Mocha \u2013 a name that was often used for the drink itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the early 18th century, the Indonesian island of Java had also become a key supplier. To this day, the terms <strong>&#8220;Mocha&#8221; and &#8220;Java&#8221;<\/strong> are still sometimes used, demonstrating just how deeply these international coffee roots have assimilated into British culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Smuggling_and_Surcharges\"><\/span>Smuggling and Surcharges<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s important to note that coffee was subject to the same heavy taxes as brandy, spices, and tea. Consequently, <strong>smuggling was rife<\/strong> as a way to get the product into Scotland. Counterfeiting was also common, as the coffee trade was incredibly profitable. Many merchants, keen to profit but unwilling to navigate the complexities of import, taxes, and duties, turned to these dishonest methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"More_Than_a_Drink_Coffee_Houses_as_Business_Hubs\"><\/span>More Than a Drink: Coffee Houses as Business Hubs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.iedinburgh.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/17200223\/image-25.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.iedinburgh.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/17200223\/image-25.png 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.iedinburgh.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/17200223\/image-25-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.iedinburgh.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/17200223\/image-25-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.iedinburgh.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/17200223\/image-25-696x392.png 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In her article on coffee in Edinburgh, Janet Starkey explains that coffee houses frequently evolved into places for conducting all kinds of business. They often hosted auctions where one could buy anything from coffee and furniture to houses, horses, bank shares, and even ships. It became fashionable for merchants to do business in coffee houses, showcasing their imported goods to clients over a cup of coffee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is fair to say that coffee houses were <strong>effective business hubs<\/strong>, much like how taverns served as meeting points for lawyers, doctors, and their clients. These public spaces encouraged deal-making while patrons enjoyed aromatic coffee, gingerbread, and ale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Gentlemans_Brew\"><\/span>A Gentleman&#8217;s Brew<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.iedinburgh.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/17200222\/image-26.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14528\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.iedinburgh.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/17200222\/image-26.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn.iedinburgh.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/17200222\/image-26-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As coffee&#8217;s popularity grew, it became increasingly seen as a man&#8217;s drink. The patrons of coffee houses were overwhelmingly male. While women might indulge in a cup, they generally preferred to do so in the comfort of their own homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Overall, as people came to appreciate the taste of coffee, they began to favour it over ale or spirits. The reason was simple: one could drink several cups, continue to conduct business, and not risk becoming intoxicated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sedition_and_Scandal_The_Darker_Side_of_Coffee_Houses\"><\/span>Sedition and Scandal: The Darker Side of Coffee Houses<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Returning to the coffee houses, it must be said that they were not always venues for respectable business meetings. Given that they were places where people exchanged money, ideas, and goods, discussions and debates often became heated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Edinburgh&#8217;s first coffee house was shut down just four years after it opened. The reason? The Scottish Privy Council (an advisory body to the monarch) suspected the establishment was being used as a <strong>base for discussions that undermined the King&#8217;s authority<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the city&#8217;s coffee houses were under constant surveillance, as they were notorious for brawls and prostitution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"562\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.iedinburgh.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/17200220\/image-27.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14531\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.iedinburgh.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/17200220\/image-27.png 1000w, https:\/\/cdn.iedinburgh.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/17200220\/image-27-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.iedinburgh.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/17200220\/image-27-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.iedinburgh.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/17200220\/image-27-696x391.png 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, coffee is a familiar part of our daily routine, something many of us can&#8217;t imagine our day without. Yet, this product was once a true luxury, linked to grueling work on plantations and complex international trade routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So next time you savour a cup of aromatic coffee, remember that it&#8217;s not just a product, but a drink with real historical significance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Coffee is rightly considered one of the most aromatic drinks in the world. It\u2019s synonymous with the perfect start to the day \u2013 a time for leisurely planning, enjoying breakfast, and celebrating the morning with a fresh cup. It&#8217;s a ritual that anticipates good things to come. But coffee is also a steadfast companion for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":516,"featured_media":14235,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4819],"tags":[5928,5933,5932,5935,5930,5936,5929,5924,5934,5927,5931,5925,5938,5926,5937],"motype":[4825],"moformat":[5040],"moimportance":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-14521","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-innovator","8":"tag-17th-century-coffee","9":"tag-ale-versus-coffee-history","10":"tag-coffee-smuggling-scotland","11":"tag-coffee-trade-history","12":"tag-edinburgh-business-history","13":"tag-edinburgh-coffee-culture","14":"tag-edinburgh-coffee-history","16":"tag-johns-row-edinburgh","17":"tag-leith-coffee-imports","18":"tag-mocha-and-java-coffee","19":"tag-scottish-coffee-houses","20":"tag-scottish-privy-council","21":"tag-social-history-of-coffee","22":"tag-women-coffee-house-owners","23":"motype-eternal","24":"moformat-c-l"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14521","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/516"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14521"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14521\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14534,"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14521\/revisions\/14534"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14235"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14521"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14521"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14521"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=14521"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=14521"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=14521"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}