Whether you enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning or with your friends in the afternoon, you’re one of the one billion avid coffee drinkers in the world. Over 2.25 billion coffee cups are consumed daily, and there are several ways to enjoy it around the globe. But who are the most famous coffee drinkers?
Coffee has been an integral part of the Middle East culture and then got transferred to Europe and the New World. Throughout history, several people have enjoyed coffee more than others. In this article, we’ll talk about the world’s most famous coffee drinkers.
World’s Most Famous Coffee Drinkers
When it first found its way to Europe, coffee wasn’t very popular. It was considered to be an evil non-Christian drink until Pope Clement VIII declared that it’s an innocent drink, and soon enough, coffee became one of the most popular beverages in Europe.
The first European coffeehouse opened in Vienna, and later, more opened in England, although women weren’t welcomed inside, except to serve men. By the end of the 17th century, people believed that coffee even had healing properties, which made the bold drink even more popular. Here are some of the world’s most famous coffee drinkers.
1. Louis XV
The history of coffee drinking started in France before the time of Louis XV, but the French king took the drink to a whole new level. “What life would be without coffee?” is something that he usually asked.
Author Note: Also known as Louis the Beloved, the king rose to the throne at the age of 5, eventually staying in office for 59 years. Louis XV was very fond of drinking coffee and serving it to his guests. He also grew his own coffee beans, ensuring that his guests would only have access to the best beans to enjoy this exceptional drink.
He had special greenhouses on the Versailles Palace grounds, and he paid particular attention to the way the coffee beans were grown and handled. The king handpicked the coffee beans himself, after examining them to make sure that only the highest-quality beans would be used to prepare coffee. He roasted the beans and then brewed them to prepare a special version of coffee that his guests enjoyed so much.
2. Johann Sebastian Bach
The German composer is known to be the creator of the Brandenburg Concertos. During his time, people viewed coffee as a devilish drink that was unfit for children, women, and men who worried about their masculinity. The reason might be the association people made between coffee and the Turks who brought it to Europe in the first place.
But Bach was different, and his love for coffee was so strong that even he wrote a cantata about it. Although he adored beer and brandy, his love for coffee was on another level.
His cantata is about a father who is trying to get his coffee-addicted daughter under control. He wrote it as satire because women were not allowed to consume coffee, as the father suggests that if his daughter is ever to find a husband, she has to quit drinking coffee.
However, she decides that she will find a coffee-drinking husband instead. The cantata ends on a happy note where the father, daughter, and narrator end up singing about the benefits of coffee.
3. Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th president of the United States and the youngest person to reach this position. Known For what is known as The Strenuous Life, he believed that pushing through and overcoming obstacles is what the American public should be doing in their day-to-day lives.
Top Tip: He is well known to be the most caffeinated president of the USA, as he drank almost a gallon of coffee every single day. Drinking huge amounts of coffee was something that he got used to as a child when he was given coffee and cigars to help cope with his asthma.
By the time he became president, he almost drank 40 cups of coffee every day. He would normally start his day with coffee and hard-boiled eggs, then keep on drinking more throughout the day.
His son said that he drank his coffee in a cup that looked more like a bathtub. As a matter of fact, some historians believe that he is responsible for the famous Maxwell slogan “Good till the last drop,” although later on, the company’s executive admitted that he made up the quote.
4. Søren Kierkegaard
The father of existentialism, who had a big influence in developing 20th-century philosophy, drank a lot of coffee and even prepared it in a special way. According to historians, the Danish philosopher didn’t think that adding too much sugar would mess up the way his coffee tasted.
He would keep on adding sugar up to the rim of the coffee cup, then added the hot coffee on top until the hot drink would dissolve the sugar. He would then drink his coffee in one go. Seeing Søren Kierkegaard in a coffeehouse was quite common to those who knew him.
Kierkegaard had about 50 different sets of coffee cups and their saucers. He would normally spend time choosing the right cup to enjoy his coffee after dinner, then begin his peculiar coffee preparation ritual.
5. Napoleon Bonaparte
The French emperor conquered much of Europe during the 19th century. He was a famous military general who played a crucial role in the French revolution and was one of the best strategists of his time.
Bonaparte’s coffee ritual consisted of having 2 cups, one in the morning with breakfast and one after dinner. Over time, his love for coffee increased, and he started to drink more coffee throughout the day while abstaining from drinking wine and other types of liquor.
Even after his exile, his love for coffee didn’t decline. After dinner, he would play a game of chess and enjoy a cup of coffee.
He even said that coffee was the only good thing about being in St. Helena. It’s reported that he was only allowed a few sips before his death, although he kept on demanding a spoonful of coffee. The autopsy supposedly reported that coffee grounds were found in his stomach.
6. Honore de Balzac
Honore de Balzac is a famous French novelist who is known as the founder of realism in European literature. He managed to write complex characters as he sipped on the coffee that he loved so much. He had a special relationship with the drink, as he explained how it would wake him up and make him feel more alert and connected to the characters he liked so much to craft.
Balzac drank more than 50 cups of coffee a day, which explains why he enjoyed working at night. People who were close to him said that he woke up every day at 1 am and worked for 8 hours straight. At 9 am, he would take a nap that would typically last for an hour and a half, and then work again until it was 4.
7. Ludwig van Beethoven
The great German pianist and composer is famous for his talent, as well as his wild hair and hot temper. But he’s also well-known for the love of his coffee that he liked to brew and prepare by himself.
He had peculiar eating habits, like sticking to a special recipe of bread soup that he liked to enjoy with precisely 10 eggs. He also enjoyed cooking for his guests.
Beethoven’s love for coffee is quite evident, as he liked to prepare his coffee with exactly 60 beans. He ground the beans himself and poured hot water on top to allow the beans to simmer. The resulting coffee had a higher caffeine content than the one that we usually consume nowadays.
8. Voltaire
The great French writer lived to see his 80s, although his doctor repeatedly warned him of drinking too much coffee. Voltaire drank between 40 and 50 cups of coffee per day and was very fond of gambling, eventually making big money out of the lottery.
Although Voltaire was an advocate of moderation, he didn’t follow his own advice when it came to drinking coffee. During his time, people believed that coffee fortified the brain and the internal organs, and he needed the extra kick to work.
Author Note: He also loved to consume coffee at the famous Café Procope in Paris, where members of the society gathered to exchange the latest gossip. The coffeehouse was also visited by some foreigners, including Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin.
Coffee gave him the clarity to work that he eventually ended up writing more than 50 plays and several books about history, philosophy, science, and politics. According to historians, he spent about 18 hours writing every day or dictating his work to his secretaries. He also wrote about 20,000 letters corresponding to friends and contemporaries.
Wrap Up
The love for coffee is deep-rooted in many cultures, and it’s no surprise that these famous people adored the energetic drink. Although coffee rituals changed over the years, it’s still one of the most popular beverages across the globe. We hope you enjoyed our list of the most famous coffee drinkers.
Stay caffeinated friends!