[custom_adv] The idea of doctoring up one's coffee with cream and sweeteners came into fashion in Europe around 1529. This was also when the first coffee house in Europe was established. [custom_adv] Vienna was invaded by the Turkish army, who left many bags of coffee behind when they fled the city. Franz Georg Kolschitzky claimed the coffee as the spoils of war and opened a coffee house. Apparently, he had lived in Turkey and was the only person who recognized the value in the beans. [custom_adv] He introduced the idea of filtering coffee, as well as softening the brew with milk and sugar. The beverage was quite a hit, and when coffee houses also started serving sweet pastries and other confectionery treats, their popularity exploded. [custom_adv] Coffee establishments continued to spread, with the first one opening up in Britain in 1652. Though its popularity was growing in Europe, the idea arrived in England again from Turkey. An English merchant who dealt in Turkish goods (including coffee) had two of his servants leave him, to go into business for themselves. "The Turk's Head" coffee house was born. [custom_adv] It was in an English coffee house that the word "tips" was first used for gratuities. A jar with a sign reading, "To Insure Prompt Service" sat on the counter. You put a coin in the jar to be served quickly. [custom_adv] When America was colonized, the coffee house was quick to follow. The role of the American coffee house was the same as those in England: hotspots for the business community. The Tontine Coffee House (1792) in New York was the original location for the New York Stock Exchange because so much business was conducted there. [custom_adv] Up until this time, coffee houses were serving regular coffee. Then came espresso. In 1946, Gaggia invented the commercial piston espresso machine, which was far easier to use and safer than earlier models. The Gaggia coffee bar in Italy was the first location to use these machines and to offer espresso along with regular coffee.
