The early history of coffee, from its use in Sufi rituals to its widespread consumption in medieval Muslim coffeehouses, makes fascinating reading. Drawing on original Arabic sources and the accounts of early European travelers, Hattox describes the colorful history of coffee and the birth of the unique institution of the coffeehouse in urban Muslim society.

Illustrations
Preface
The Great Coffee Controversy
The Coming of Coffee to the Near East
Coffee, Coffeehouses, and the Opposition
Wine, Coffee, and the Holy Law
Lethargy, Leprosy, and Melancholia: Coffee and Medieval Medicine
Taverns without Wine: The Rise of the Coffeehouse
Society and the Social Life of the Coffeehouse
The Coffeehouse: Social Norms, Social Symbols
Appendix: Note on Sources
Glossary
Notes
Bibliography
Index