The Royal Society read and discussed part of Letter L-187 about coffee

Date: 
June 4, 1687
Document: 

Birch, History, vol IV, p. 540, 25 May 1687 (O.S.) in London:

A letter of Mr. LEEWENHOECK's was read concerning coffee, first as to the growth and texture of the coffee-berry, wherein he found very much oil to be contained; in which oil he conceived the principal virtue of the coffee to lie; and prosecuting that notion he gave direction for roasting the berry, and making coffee drink after the best manner. In the conclusion he said, that the coffee-berries grow on a tree as big as our lime trees, as he had been crediby informed.

Dr. AGLIONBY was of opinion, that coffee could not be an enemy to the nerves, unless in those, who use much drinking of wine, be having observed, that coffee will put wine into a great ferment .

Mr. HOOKE supposed, that the roasting of coffee is a sort of malting thereof to make it give its tincture; and that without roasting it would not make coffee.

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