The Virtue and Use of Coffee With Regard to the Plague and Other Infectious Distempers

A lively 18th‑century investigation brings the mystery of coffee into clear view, tracing its journey from distant Ottoman gardens to the parlors of England, Holland and beyond. The author gathers remarks from leading scholars across Europe, presenting their observations on how the dark brew might help fend off the pestilences that plagued the continent. Alongside these testimonies, a detailed, hand‑drawn illustration of the coffee tree, its flower and fruit offers a rare botanical glimpse for the curious reader.

Beyond the scientific chatter, the work explains how coffee was roasted, stored and served, and why its resistance to spoilage made it especially attractive during times of disease. It also recounts the early English reception of the drink, the trade routes that supplied it, and the practical advice offered to households eager to benefit from its reputed health‑boosting qualities. The result is an engaging portrait of a beverage that shaped social life and medical thinking in an age of uncertainty.