Coffee first appeared in Europe in 1615 after being brought back by Ventian traders. Initially used as an aid to digestion it soon became a beverage of choice. Some say that by replacig alcohol it allowed better more fruitful discussions to be held without the delerious effects of alcohol.

The government of the day soon realised the potential revenue stream and encouraged and taxed the opening of coffee shops. Europe's oldest is Cafe Florian on St Marks Square in Venice.

Originally called Arab Wine some priests opposed the delicious beverage urging its prohibition by referring ot it as the Devil's Drink. Pope Clement the 8th decided not to prohibit the drink but itstead baptised it making it into a Christian drink.

Surely now coffee is a drink made in heaven.