39. Women campaigned against London coffeehouses in 1674
Opponents to the consumption of coffee in late 17th century London called the beverage a frightening introduction from the Arab world, and campaigned to end its use. The beverage itself wasn’t their only enemy, coffeehouses were where their husbands could enjoy bear-baiting, the temptation of prostitutes, the consumption of tobacco, and other entertainments. Women drew up a petition against coffee, and the male consumers of the beverage drew up their own petition in response. One of the women’s accusations was that coffee, “has so Eunucht our husbands…that they are become as Impotent as Age…”