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The world’s first coffee shop opens in Constantinople. It is followed by the foundation of two local coffee houses in 1554
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Khair Bey, the governor of Mecca, bans coffee fearing that its power might promote resistance to his rule. Coffee trade is shut down in Constantinople (Istanbul). After a week-long "reign of terror", the sultan decides that coffee is blessed and has the governor executed.
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The first coffeehouse opens in England, but women were not allowed in, other than to serve men.
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The Dutch become the first to transport and cultivate coffee plants commercially. Coffee is smuggled out of the Arab port of Mocha and shipped to Ceylon and East Indies for cultivation.
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The first prototype of an espresso machine is created in France.
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James Mason invents the coffee percolator.
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First commercial decaffeination process was invented by Dr. Ludwig Roselius
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The English chemist George Constant Washington, invented the instant coffee while living in Guatemala.
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Nestle introduces TASTER'S CHOICE. A freeze-dried Instant Coffee locking in freshness and taste.
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First Starbucks coffee shop opens in Seattle.
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The first commercial espresso machine was manufactured in Italy.
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This year saw the first known discovery of coffee beans, or known at the time as 'Coffee Cherries'. A goat herder noticed his sheep we rather frisky after eating these berries and after trying them himself noticed increases in his energy levels
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