Part 4/8:
As we delve deeper into the history of coffee, a timeline of bans reveals a tumultuous relationship between societies and this beloved beverage. In Mecca in 1511 and Cairo in 1539, coffee drinking was outlawed, while Istanbul’s Sultan Murad IV allegedly imposed capital punishment for its consumption. Notable stories about these bans often lack credible historical documentation, with many being propagated by later generations.
When coffee arrived in Europe during the 16th century, it faced a particularly hostile reception from the Catholic Church, which labeled it a "drink of the devil." Pope Clement VIII, however, enjoyed coffee so much that he advocated for its baptism, turning it into a holy drink rather than one associated with evil.