Coffee and Religion: Controversies and Acceptance Across Cultures

Throughout its history, coffee has been praised as a divine gift and denounced as a tool of rebellion. As the beverage spread across continents and cultures, it encountered various religious authorities, sparking debates about its morality, effects, and place in spiritual life.

This article explores the complex relationship between coffee and religion—from its sacred role among Sufi mystics to its controversial reception in Islamic courts and Christian Europe.

The Sufi Mystics and Coffee’s Spiritual Origins

Coffee’s earliest cultural connection to religion begins with Sufi monks in Yemen during the 15th century. These Islamic mystics used coffee to stay awake during nighttime dhikr—a form of devotional chanting and prayer aimed at achieving spiritual closeness to God.

The Sufis saw coffee not as a distraction, but as an aid to devotion. They referred to it as the “wine of Islam”, not in a literal sense, but to reflect its role in uplifting the soul without violating Islamic prohibitions against alcohol.

The Sufi use of coffee spread to religious centers like Mecca, Cairo, and Istanbul, giving the drink a powerful spiritual endorsement in its early days.

Islamic World: Debate and Fatwas

Despite its religious origins among Sufis, coffee was not universally accepted in the broader Islamic world. As it gained popularity in the 16th century, particularly in Ottoman cities, conservative scholars and political authorities began to question its effects and social influence.

Criticisms included:

• Its stimulating effects were seen by some as intoxicating, thus potentially haram (forbidden)
• Coffeehouses became places of political dissent and satire, challenging religious and state authority
• It disrupted established norms and religious routines

As a result, several bans were issued:

• Mecca (1511): Governor Khair Beg banned coffee, accusing it of encouraging radical thought and social unrest. The ban was later overturned by higher Ottoman authorities.
• Cairo and Constantinople saw temporary bans on coffeehouses.
• Fatwas (religious rulings) both for and against coffee were issued by Islamic scholars over the centuries.

Ultimately, coffee prevailed in the Islamic world, gaining acceptance as a non-intoxicating stimulant, with religious authorities acknowledging its spiritual value when consumed responsibly.

Christian Europe: Coffee and the Pope

When coffee arrived in Christian Europe in the 17th century, it faced suspicion from some Catholic authorities, who dubbed it the “bitter invention of Satan” due to its Muslim origins.

Concerned clergy feared that coffee was a foreign threat, both spiritually and socially. They debated whether it should be considered sinful or acceptable for Christian consumption.

The turning point came when Pope Clement VIII was asked to condemn coffee. After trying it, he reportedly said:

“This devil’s drink is so delicious… it would be a pity to let the infidels have exclusive use of it.”

He blessed the beverage, effectively ending much of the opposition within the Catholic Church and allowing coffee to spread freely throughout Europe.

Protestant Reformation and Coffee

During the Protestant Reformation, coffee found favor among reformers who saw it as a respectable alternative to alcohol. Whereas wine and beer were associated with indulgence, coffee symbolized sobriety, clarity, and discipline.

Leaders like Martin Luther promoted a more austere lifestyle, and coffee fit well into this worldview—fueling morning prayers, theological debates, and long hours of study.

Thus, in many Protestant regions, coffee became part of the cultural shift toward intellectualism and personal discipline.

Coffee in the Jewish Tradition

In Jewish communities, coffee was adopted relatively smoothly. By the 17th and 18th centuries, Jewish merchants, particularly in Ottoman and Italian cities, were heavily involved in the coffee trade.

Coffeehouses often served as spaces for:

• Business negotiations
• Community gatherings
• Philosophical discussion

Today, many Jewish communities embrace coffee in cultural and religious life. In Hasidic circles, coffee is sometimes consumed before early morning prayers to aid concentration. During Passover, coffee is considered kosher if it meets specific preparation standards.

Coffee in Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity

In Ethiopia, where coffee originated, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church maintains a unique relationship with coffee. The traditional coffee ceremony is often performed after church services and on religious holidays.

Rather than being viewed as controversial, coffee is considered part of spiritual hospitality—a way to bring people together, reflect, and share blessings.

Even during fasting seasons, coffee is often permitted, as long as it doesn’t contain dairy.

Buddhism and Coffee

In Buddhist traditions, especially in Zen monasteries, beverages like tea have long played a role in meditation and ritual. However, in modern times, coffee has been adopted as a tool for mindfulness and wakefulness, particularly among monks and lay practitioners.

In countries like Japan and Korea, Buddhist temples sometimes serve coffee during long study sessions or as part of community events. It is seen as acceptable in moderation, especially when consumed with mindful awareness.

Modern Perspectives: Spirituality and Ritual

Today, coffee continues to carry spiritual symbolism for many people, even outside formal religion. Daily coffee rituals are often described in spiritual terms:

• “My morning meditation”
• “A sacred moment before the chaos”
• “Communion with myself and my thoughts”

In this way, coffee maintains a role in modern spiritual life—not as doctrine, but as personal ritual.

Coffee and the Rise of Religious Cafés

Around the world, faith-based cafés have emerged as places where spirituality and community meet over coffee. These include:

• Christian cafés that host Bible studies and offer fair trade brews
• Interfaith cafés that promote dialogue between religions
• Buddhist-inspired cafés focused on mindfulness and calm environments

Coffee remains a unifier—a beverage that opens doors to conversation, reflection, and shared humanity.

Final Thoughts: Coffee as a Spiritual Companion

The story of coffee and religion is not one of opposition, but of evolution and integration. From sacred Sufi rituals to papal blessings, from theological debates to spiritual cafés, coffee has traversed the boundary between the physical and the divine.

In many faiths, it now serves not as a threat, but as a tool for connection, clarity, and compassion—a warm reminder that something as simple as a cup of coffee can bring people closer to each other, and to themselves.