ANST - Traveling INN

[Decker, Terry D.]

> As for the coffee, no coffee was not available in medieval Europe.  It
> *was* available in Saracen lands, however, after the 8th century.  So if
> you're in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem in the time of the crusades or in
> Egypt or Morocco in the 14th century, coffee is readily available.  In
> fact, for those gentles stuck in said foreign lands, coffee is about *all*
> that's available.  The Islamic traders won't carry wine because Mahomet
> told them wine is bad.
> 
> lo vostre por vos servir 
> Sir Lyonel Oliver Grace
> _____________________________
> Dennis Grace
> 
The first description of coffee (Rhazes) is 10th Century.  Avicenna is 11th.
And they were describing medicinal properties.

Coffee was probably in use as a beverage by the 14th Century, but in my
opinion, it was a luxury trade good.  (Cariadoc disputes this one, placing
the spread of coffee in the late 15th century).

Common use of coffee in Arabia Felix doesn't begin until at least the middle
of the 15th Century.  Widespread general usage does not begin until the 16th
Century.

I have a source placing a coffee house (Kiva Han) in Constantinople in 1475
CE, but I can not find confirmation.  My preferred source (Ukers) doesn't
place them there until the early 16th Century.

If you know of sources supporting the earlier dates, please post them.

Bear 
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