The world’s first known coffee shop, Kiva Han, opened in Constantinople in 1475, followed by numerous others that opened across Arabia and Turkey. As coffee became widely popular, religious Moslems were insulted that their sacramental drink was being shared by secular sippers and placed a ban on coffee houses. The Sheikh Ul-Islam issued a proclamation to the effect that drinking coffee “is not religiously permissible.”

Eventually, even the secular leaders were threatened by the power of coffee. The leaders of the Ottoman Empire saw it as a threat to their rule. They noticed that gathering together in coffee fueled conversation stimulated people to discuss important issues, such as the suitability of the rulers.

Continue: Part 2, Turkish Coffee