Coffee arrived in Europe at just about the same time as tea, in the 17th century. Coffee had previously only been popular among the Arabs in Africa; tea originated in Asia. Initially, the new imports to Europe were enjoyed in aristocratic circles before they gradually established themselves in the middle classes. They replaced the previously typical consumption of alcoholic beverages like wine, beer and spirits and were hailed as “the great soberers”. Their popularity reflected the spirit of the Enlightenment that influenced general thinking in the 18th century.
Enjoyment of the costly exotic luxuries coffee and tea called for new equipment for their preparation and presentation. In addition to coffee roasters and coffee grinders, it was porcelain crockery that the elite required to maintain credibility of their social standing. The exhibition shows the cultural change heralded in by the spread of the new hot beverages in Europe and presents the many facets of the new culture of coffee and tea.
Opens: 3 December 2010, 7 pm
