Although the Finns now hold the world record for coffee consumption, paradoxically, Scandinavia was slow to take it up. Introduced in the 1680s., probably by the Dutch, coffee aroused hostility from early on. By 1746, a royal edict had been used against coffee and tea-drinking. The following year, those who continued to indulge had to pay hefty tax, or suffer the indignity of having their crockery confiscated. Coffee drinking was completely prohibited in 1756, though the ban was eventually lifted and huge taxes imposed instead.
Not much has been written about the early coffee houses, but it seems they lacked the opulence of their southern counterparts. In Oslo, they were Spartan single-room establishments, popular with students, serving not only coffee but food to go with it.
Middle-class Finns did better in home, holding large coffee parties at which guests would drink up to five cups.
Not much has been written about the early coffee houses, but it seems they lacked the opulence of their southern counterparts. In Oslo, they were Spartan single-room establishments, popular with students, serving not only coffee but food to go with it.
