What did europeans drink before coffee appears?

    I think coffee has always been with us, doesn't it? However, in reality this drink became popular in Europe only in the early 17th century. But what happened to her then and how did poor Europeans cope without this cult drink?

    We reveal unexpected facts.

    What they drank in Europe

    Before the advent of coffee, hot chocolate was popular in Europe. It was brought to the mainland in 1528, and a hundred years before coffee it became a favorite drink of Europeans.

    And even earlier, in the Middle Ages, Europeans drank posset: a drink made from hot milk, to which was added wine or ale and spices. It turned out something like milk mulled wine. Chamomile or chicory were sometimes brewed, but they were rather perceived as medicinal remedies.

    What Ukrainians drank

    There were unique drinks on the territory of Ukraine. Everyone has heard of mead, but there were also more exotic recipes. For example, in honor was a varenukha. It is something like a compote of fruits and vegetables, sometimes with the addition of herbs (thyme, mint, oregano). The drink was filtered, steamed in the oven and served. It was especially prestigious to add exotic spices: cinnamon, cloves, pepper. There were also alcoholic versions of varenukha: with vodka.

    How they perceived coffee

    It's hard to believe now, but coffee went through many hurdles before becoming the number one drink. The European clergy tried to ban it, because grain was imported from Muslim countries, and coffee was considered an encroachment on Christian morals. As for Ukraine, the first coffee house appeared in 1672 in Kamianets-Podilskyi. And already in 1683 Yuri Kulchytsky opened in Lviv his legendary coffee house "Under the Blue Flask", which later set the coffee fashion throughout Europe.

    Fortunately, today coffee is available everywhere, you just need to choose quality. Coffice operators are always in touch to help you find the best option.