The Vertue of the COFFEE Drink (1652)

When London’s first coffehouse opened in the middle of the 17th century, advice was available:

THE Grain or Berry called Coffee, groweth upon little Trees only in the Deserts of Arabia […] The quality of this Drink is cold and Dry, and though it be a Dryer, yet it neither heats, nor inflames more then hot Posset. […] It will prevent Drowsiness, and make one fit for busines, if one have occasion to Watch, and therefore you are not to Drink of it after Supper, unless you intend to be watchful, for it will hinder sleep for 3 or 4 hours.

Soon coffeehouses would number in their thousands. More on London’s 17th century coffeehouse boom here.