Today we know that drinking coffee yields all kinds of health benefits. But did you know that those who lived in Turkey in the 17th century had a very different take on how drinking coffee might affect their health?
Under Sultan Murad IV’s rule, those living in the 
so dedicated to eradicating coffee in his empire that he would disguise himself as a commoner and walk the streets of Istanbul with a sword. Unlucky coffee drinkers were decapitated on the spot as they enjoyed their beverage.
Surprisingly, even with such harsh punishments, the Turkish people still consumed coffee.
So why was the seemingly common act of drinking coffee deemed a capitol offense? In 17th century Istanbul, religious leaders preached on street corners that drinking coffee resulted in indecent behavior. Additionally, advisers to the sultan observed that those drinking coffee became more chatty. To the Sultan, chatty citizens were thought to be more likely to plot against the government.
Thankfully coffee is both legal and plentiful in today’s society. How loyal are you to your beans? Would you be one to risk death for coffee had you been born into the Ottoman Empire? Let’s just say we are grateful to be living in the 21st century!