History of coffee in Prague: The first café was established in 1714 in the Old Town
Few people today can imagine a day without coffee. Its popularity in our country began to gain momentum in the 19th and especially in the 20th century. “In 1963, 1.5 million kilograms of coffee were consumed in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republicin 1970 almost 12 million and in 1977 it was already 17.5 million kilograms of coffee, “says Jaroslav Vašák, a well-known chef and collector of gastronomic curiosities, in his book Gastronomic Quiz.
Brown delicacy from Africa
But if we searched even deeper in history, the first Czechs to meet coffee appeared. during the 16th or 17th centurywhen she drank profusely in the Middle East or the North Coast of Africa. “In Europe, drinking coffee first penetratedand royal courts, and at the beginning of the 18th century I made ordinary households,“Vašák points out that coffee first came to Europe in the 17th century. At the same time, we would look for its origin in the distance and poor Ethiopia.
Armenian in Prague
And what about Prague? “At U.S he was the first to ask for permission to operate a café in 1688 Kryštof Kampen from Rondol, “says chef Vašák, author of dozens of gastronomic books and cookbooks. “It is not known how it turned out at the Prague City Council at the time, and so it was Jiří Theodata from Damascus is officially sought after as the first café owner in the Czech Republic. “
It’s a polished name Armenian businessman Gorgos Hatalah il Damascusbetter known simply as Georgius Deodatus. He visited Prague sometime after 1700 after several years of wandering in Europe. He was quite unmissable among the inhabitants and immediately knew how to impress them.
“At first, he walked the streets in traditional Arab clothing, with mugs, sugar, water, and coffee like charcoal stones. The coffee was drunk while standing“We learn on the web Charles Bridge Museum. For many, coffee was a hitherto unknown beverage that the lords drank, so curiosity did not give them and they tasted it. And even the rich townspeople did not stay short. “He dressed in oriental attire and carried coffee to the citizens all the way to the house“Writes Vašák.
The first “coffee shop” in Prague
Apparently this helped to open a permanent business. “In 1714, it opened the first Prague café at the end of Charles Bridge in Lesser Town (as it was later called – “cafe”). He later rented a wooden hut at the end of the bridge. Over time, certainly – based on commercial success – he moved to the shop next to the Lesser Town tower, to the house of the former customs house, “we read on the museum’s website.
In other sources, however, we read that Deodatus opened his first café not at the end of Charles Bridge in Lesser Town, but in the Old Town. This version is also held by Vašák, who specifically placed it in the house At the Golden Snake, which stands on the corner of Karlova and Liliová streets. However, it is possible that Deodatus had two cafes; one in the Old Town, the other in the Lesser Town – perhaps in the house U Tří pštrosů near the Lesser Town Bridge Tower.
The first café in Prague was established in 1714 in the House at the Golden Snake at the intersection of Karlovy and Liliová streets.
Author: ČTK – Jaroslav Hejzlar
A taste? No, medicine!
Although the coffee tasted good, but the Praguers did not like it at all, it is not for everyone either, and so far the winged saying is said: “this is what my cup of coffee believed,” they testified in her beneficial effects. That’s why “coffee first she sold grains in apathy to organization department, to sharpen the senses and improve heart function, “says Vašák, among others the holder of the honorary title” Master Chef “.
Even long after, coffee was used mainly taking into account its alleged medical properties. “It was a prescription drug, ”Says the chef. For example, the applicantif sleeping tried a person, while studying the spleen, spilling bile, etc.“.
A coffee shop to the last days
Deodatus in Europe converted to Catholicism and settled in Prague. The café craft worked well for him, he married and stayed there until his last days. “He sold coffee until his death on December 2, 1730,Says the museum’s website. His followers have already started to open cafes in Prague. Deodatus should be buried in the monastery of St. Tomas.
The first café in Prague has seen a café in the U Zlatého hada house. It was run by the Armenian merchant Georgius Deodatus.
Author: wikimedia.commons