The Ultimate Guide to Coffee & Tea: History, Science, and the Art of Brewing

 

📌 Explore the fascinating world of coffee & tea with expertly curated historical and scientific articles. From 17th-century Parisian cafés to 20th-century brewing science, discover how these beverages shaped cultures, businesses, and daily life. A must-read for epicureans, food historians, teachers, students, and coffee connoisseurs!

 

Tins of Historical Epicurean Coffee & Tea

 

☕ Epicurean Delights in Coffee & Tea: A Journey Through History, Science & Culture 🌍🍵

📜 A Treasure Trove for Epicureans, Food Historians, and Coffee & Tea Enthusiasts ☕📚

The Coffee & Tea - Epicurean Pleasures is a rich and meticulously curated collection of historical, scientific, and cultural articles that explore the world of coffee and tea in depth. This section serves as a goldmine of knowledge for epicureans, food historians, students, teachers, baristas, business analysts, and coffee connoisseurs looking to trace the evolution of these beloved beverages from their origins to modern-day consumption.

Spanning from the science of brewing to cultural revolutions, from the birth of café culture to innovations in packaging and roasting, this collection presents a compelling narrative that is both educational and entertaining.

 

At the afternoon card party or in the evening when good friends call, there is nothing quite so sure to please—as Coffee. It is a beverage that everyone likes. For there is warmth and good cheer as well as good fellowship in a cup of Coffee. Moreover, it may be served with equal propriety with the lowliest sandwich or the daintiest sweets. And it is always in good taste!

 

Poster on How to Make Coffee. Tea and Coffee Trade Journal, April 1922.

The Science of Coffee Brewing: History, Myths & Perfecting the Cup (1922)

Edward Aborn’s 1922 article, How to Make Coffee, originally published in the Tea and Coffee Trade Journal, is a treasure trove for epicureans, food historians, baristas, teachers, students, and coffee lovers alike. Aborn, a former Vice President of the National Coffee Roasters Association, combines history, science, and practical brewing techniques, offering a compelling narrative on how coffee became an essential part of daily life while also correcting common brewing mistakes that ruin its flavor.

For foodies and coffee connoisseurs, this article is a fascinating glimpse into how brewing techniques have evolved and how, even a century ago, experts were advocating for precision in coffee making—a topic that remains just as relevant today.

 

Enjoying Good Coffee at Home.

Coffee Making as a Science: How 1919 Changed Home Brewing Forever

This 1919 article on coffee brewing is more than just a historical guide—it’s a revolutionary look at coffee science, household efficiency, and culinary expertise. Featuring insights from Edward Aborn, a leading authority on coffee preparation, the article challenges old brewing traditions and introduces scientific principles that elevate the coffee experience.

For epicureans, coffee lovers, food historians, students, and educators, this article is a rich educational resource that explores:

✅ The scientific principles behind coffee brewing

✅ The health implications of different brewing techniques

✅ How early 20th-century domestic science shaped modern coffee culture

 

.Parisians Enjoying a Beautiful Day at a Café on the Boulevard Montmartre, Paris, 1893.

The Birth of Café Culture: Parisian Coffeehouses from 1650 to the Revolution

Few things embody French culture and refinement more than the Parisian café, and this 1922 article on the history of early Parisian coffee houses offers a fascinating deep dive into their origins, influence, and evolution. From humble beginnings in 1657 to their transformation into literary salons, revolutionary meeting spaces, and artistic hubs, this piece captures the romance and cultural significance of the café experience.

Epicureans & coffee lovers – A historical journey into how cafés became central to Parisian life and socialization.

Food historians & educators – Insight into how coffee influenced French culture, literature, politics, and gastronomy.

Students & researchers – A rich historical account that connects the past to modern café traditions.

 

Good Coffee Makes Good Cheer - 1921

The Science of Brewing: Unlocking the True Flavor of Coffee (1921 Guide)

This 1921 article from Forecast Magazine is a must-read for coffee lovers, food historians, and culinary educators. It provides timeless wisdom on brewing techniques, the science of coffee, and its medicinal benefits, making it an exceptional resource for those who appreciate coffee as both a daily ritual and an art form.

Epicureans & food lovers – A historical guide to achieving the perfect brew.

Teachers & students – A scientific and historical perspective on coffee brewing methods.

Coffee connoisseurs – Learn how early 20th-century experts approached coffee perfection.

 

Units in the Modern Equipment of the Chase & Sanborn Plant.

☕ Chase & Sanborn: The Coffee Empire That Revolutionized Brewing & Branding (1922 Insight)

This 1922 article from the Tea and Coffee Trade Journal provides a fascinating look into the rise of Chase & Sanborn, one of America’s oldest and most influential coffee and tea companies. It’s a goldmine of information for culinary historians, marketing experts, business analysts, and coffee aficionados interested in the evolution of branding, packaging, and coffee culture.

Epicureans & food lovers – Understand the pioneering role of Chase & Sanborn in elevating coffee’s quality and accessibility.

Business & marketing professionals – A study in early 20th-century branding and distribution strategies.

Historians & educators – A detailed account of how coffee became a household staple through advertising and innovation.

 

Tea Plantations. View in the Green Tea District.

An Illustrated Journey Through the Tea Countries of China - 1852

It is entirely accurate that the Chinese rarely make the two kinds of tea in one district, but this is more for the sake of convenience and from custom than for any other reason.

 

The Latest and Best Sample Roaster - The 1921 Model "Monitor" Sample Roaster.

Is It Easy to Roast Coffee Properly? - 1921

Coffee is a perplexing study. Perhaps a good deal of the interest in it results from the very fact that it seems impossible to discover precisely what the aromatic appeal of coffee consists of or depends upon.

 

An Unusually Successful Coffee House on the Lower West Side of New York

From Saloon to Sanctuary: How a 1919 Coffee House Transformed NYC’s Social Scene

In the bustling lower West Side of New York City, a unique coffee house emerged in 1919, offering more than just a hot beverage—it became a cornerstone of community, comfort, and change. Initially opened in a former saloon, this establishment, operated by the Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor, sought to fill a void left by the closure of alcohol-serving establishments, providing working-class men—particularly truck drivers—a high-quality, affordable meal and a welcoming space to rest.

This coffee house was ahead of its time, embracing hospitality, accessibility, and a sense of social responsibility long before modern cafés made community-building a priority. For epicureans, food historians, students, and teachers, this article offers a fascinating glimpse into early 20th-century coffee culture and how food establishments helped shape urban life.

 

Fig. 1 - The Vacuum-Packed Coffee Comes in This Way To the Second Story.

The Birth of Freshness: How Vacuum-Sealed Coffee Revolutionized the Industry in 1921

The 1921 article on modern coffee-roasting plants unveils a pivotal moment in the history of coffee production—the transition from bulk coffee sales to vacuum-sealed packaging, ensuring longer shelf life, quality preservation, and consistent flavor. This was a game-changing development that not only reshaped coffee distribution but also transformed consumer habits, making fresh, high-quality coffee more accessible across the United States and beyond.

For epicureans, food historians, teachers, students, and industry professionals, this article provides a fascinating historical perspective on technological advancements in coffee preservation—a crucial step toward the modern gourmet coffee experience we enjoy today.

 

Salara Tea Company Plant in Boston

Modern Tea Packing Plant - 1918

A description of the new home of the Salada Tea Company at Boston. In this unique building is to be found much of interest to packers
and distributers. Close attention has been given to improved tea packing and handling methods; also unusual provision has been made
for the comfort of employees.

 

Battery of Coffee Roasting Cylinders in Operation

Obtaining and Roasting Coffee For A.E.F. in France

Some Unusually Interesting Facts and Pictures of the Coffee Roasting Plants in France to Supply the American Soldiers with their Needed Beverage

 

Newly Patented Pot for Improved Coffee Making

The Perfect Home Drip Coffee Pot - 1921

The "Perfect Home Drip Coffee Pot" is a newly patented and improved coffee-making device designed for use by coffee masters and packers who the desire to demonstrate the merit of their particular blends and roasts.

 

Review of the Book "ALL ABOUT COFFEE" - 1922

Review of the Book “ALL ABOUT COFFEE” - 1922

The whole story of coffee, from its earliest use to the present day, with no topic omitted that is pertinent to the subject, or that is useful to the grower, the importer, the roaster, the machinery manufacturer, the broker, the wholesale distributer, the retailer, or the ultimate consumer.

 

Old Time Coffee House at Cincinnati Centennial Celebration

Reviving the Coffee House of Long, Long, Ago - 1919

Even such grandly garbed dames and gentlemen will grow thirsty; and, so, what more appropriate than a reproduction of the coffee-house most frequented a hundred years before by the city's swells? In a quiet nook, among the trees and beside a leading highway through the zoo,

 

Scientific Coffee Research Ongoing At M.I.T. - 1922

Scientific Coffee Research at M.I.T.

In brief, we have found that the quality of beverage coffee is more influenced by a certain few factors in its brewing than it is by the differences in flavor, aroma, and taste attributed to coffee from different climates, soils, or altitudes when these factors are neglected.

 

Source of Boston Party's Tea - 1922

Source of Boston Party's Tea - 1922

This letter on the old firm that supplied the tea that caused the basis for the famous Boston Tea Party has been received by the Daily News from Hiram K. Moderwell, dated London, Oct. 10.

 

The Plant of the Cheek-Neal Coffee Company of Richmond, VA

Southern Coffee Roasting and Packing Plant - 1919

One of the Four Up-To-Date Coffee Roasting and Packing Plants of Noted Southern Concern "Maxwell House" coffee is the leading brand produced by this firm and many other brands.

 

Tea Pots at the Lexington Hotel

The Story of Tea

The use of tea in America has grown with the population, so that in 1868 the importation reached nearly 38,000,000 pounds, and at present the people of the United States consume 100,000,000 pounds yearly.

 

Miss Margaret Irving, Who Has Won Unique Fame as a Tea Taster

Unique British Tea Taster is a Woman - 1922

Miss Margaret Irving has been tasting tea for the London firm for the last three or four years, and her efficiency in this direction is such that she now ranks with the most expert tea tasters of the metropolis.

 

Housewives enjoy afternoon tea and coffee

Ways for Housewife to Make Coffee

The Prescott report demonstrates that the actual quality of coffee, the genuine flavor and full strength of any coffee, whatever the variety or the blend, or the name of the brand, or the price, is completely spoiled when the mixture of water and coffee is brought to the boiling point (212° Fahrenheit).

 

Well Known American Package Coffees - 1922

Well Known American Package Coffees - 1922

This group of leading trade-marked coffees illustrates the wide variance in styles of containers used by coffee roasters including White House, Arbuckles, Luzianne, Maxwell House, Folger's, Hills Bros., and Barrington Hall.

 

☕ Most Engaging & Insightful Articles: Why They Matter

📖 The Science of Coffee Brewing (1922)

🔎 Edward Aborn’s article from the Tea and Coffee Trade Journal

A must-read for coffee connoisseurs, food historians, and home brewers, this article dissects coffee preparation myths, introduces scientific brewing techniques, and teaches how to unlock the true flavors of coffee. It’s an essential guide for those who seek the perfect cup—whether in 1922 or today.

Why it’s relevant:

✅ Food historians & educators – Discover how early brewing techniques evolved into today’s coffee culture.

✅ Coffee lovers & baristas – Learn the century-old secrets of brewing perfection.

✅ Students & researchers – A scientific approach to understanding coffee’s chemical composition and health effects.

 

🏡 Enjoying Good Coffee at Home (1919)

🔎 A scientific breakdown of coffee-making techniques

This article revolutionized home brewing in 1919, advocating for precision and scientific principles in coffee preparation. It challenges outdated methods and provides insight into how early 20th-century domestic science influenced modern coffee culture.

Why it’s relevant:

✅ Home brewers & food lovers – Improve your coffee game with historical brewing wisdom.

✅ Teachers & students – A compelling look into the early scientific advancements in food preparation.

 

🎭 Parisian Coffeehouses: Birth of Café Culture (1650 - The French Revolution)

🔎 A historical deep dive into the rise of the Parisian café

Parisian cafés redefined socialization, politics, literature, and art, making this article an essential read for epicureans, historians, and coffee lovers. Learn how coffeehouses became intellectual and revolutionary hubs, shaping French history and culinary culture.

Why it’s relevant:

✅ Epicureans & café lovers – Uncover how the Parisian café became a global symbol of refinement.

✅ Food historians & educators – Learn how coffeehouses shaped art, literature, and political revolutions.

✅ Students & researchers – A rich historical narrative connecting past and present café traditions.

🔬 The Science of Brewing: Unlocking the True Flavor of Coffee (1921)

 

🔎 A Forecast Magazine feature on coffee’s medicinal benefits & brewing techniques

A must-read for food scientists and health-conscious coffee drinkers, this article examines the chemical reactions in coffee brewing, its effects on digestion, energy, and sleep, and how brewing methods alter its flavor and nutritional properties.

Why it’s relevant:

✅ Epicureans & health-conscious drinkers – The health effects of coffee through a historical lens.

✅ Teachers & students – A scientific and historical perspective on coffee brewing methods.

✅ Coffee connoisseurs – Learn how early experts approached coffee perfection.

 

🏭 Chase & Sanborn: The Coffee Empire That Revolutionized Branding (1922)

🔎 A deep dive into the branding & marketing of one of America’s most famous coffee companies

Chase & Sanborn played a pioneering role in coffee distribution and branding, introducing vacuum-sealed packaging and innovative advertising strategies.

Why it’s relevant:

✅ Business & marketing professionals – A case study on branding, advertising, and consumer engagement.

✅ Historians & educators – A detailed account of how coffee became a household staple through innovative packaging.

 

🚀 The Birth of Freshness: Vacuum-Sealed Coffee Revolution (1921)

🔎 How vacuum-sealed coffee changed the industry forever

This article captures a pivotal moment in coffee history—the move from bulk sales to vacuum-sealed packaging, which preserved freshness, flavor, and quality.

Why it’s relevant:

✅ Epicureans & food historians – Understand the transformation of coffee preservation.

✅ Students & industry professionals – Learn how packaging innovations shaped consumer habits.

 

🗽 NYC Coffee House Revolution: From Saloon to Sanctuary (1919)

🔎 How a coffee house transformed New York City’s working-class culture

This heartwarming story of a 1919 NYC coffee house offers a glimpse into how cafés shaped urban life, hospitality, and social change.

Why it’s relevant:

✅ Epicureans & café enthusiasts – The evolution of the coffeehouse as a social hub.

✅ Food historians & urban scholars – The impact of coffeehouses on working-class culture.

 

🍵 Tea Lovers Rejoice: A Journey Through China’s Tea Plantations (1852)

🔎 A rare historical insight into the tea-growing regions of China

This article provides a stunningly detailed look at China’s tea industry in the mid-19th century, from farming practices to trade and cultural significance.

Why it’s relevant:

✅ Tea enthusiasts & historians – A rare look at China’s tea trade and production techniques.

✅ Students & researchers – A historical lens on global tea consumption and commerce.

 

🎭 The Café de Procope: Birthplace of Revolution, Literature, and Art

🔎 A deep dive into one of the world’s most iconic cafés

The Café de Procope in Paris became a meeting place for Voltaire, Rousseau, and other intellectuals, playing a significant role in the French Revolution and the birth of modern café culture.

Why it’s relevant:

✅ Epicureans & history buffs – The fascinating history of a legendary café.

✅ Students & educators – Learn how cafés shaped intellectual and cultural revolutions.

 

🔥 Final Thoughts: A Paradise for Coffee & Tea Enthusiasts ☕🍵

This page is a masterpiece, offering invaluable knowledge for food historians, educators, researchers, and epicureans who wish to delve deep into the cultural, scientific, and historical evolution of coffee and tea. Whether you’re looking for brewing perfection, historical narratives, or business insights, this collection serves as an endless source of inspiration and discovery.

🚀 Perfect for:

✔️ Epicureans & food lovers

✔️ Historians & educators

✔️ Students & researchers

✔️ Café enthusiasts & baristas

✔️ Business & marketing professionals

☕ A cup of coffee or tea is never just a drink—it’s a story, a tradition, and a science. Dive in and explore! 🍵🎭

 

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