Category: History

Who is James Hoffmann?

James Hoffmann is a name that has become synonymous with the specialty coffee industry. From his work as an author and coffee roaster to his popular YouTube channel, Hoffmann has made significant contributions to the industry. He has helped to elevate the coffee experience for enthusiasts around the world.

The World Atlas of Coffee by James Hoffmann

One of Hoffmann’s most notable contributions to the coffee world is his book, “The World Atlas of Coffee”. This great book was published in 2014. It has become a staple in the coffee community and is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive and accessible guides to the world of coffee. In the book, Hoffmann explores the history and culture of coffee. He delves into the intricacies of coffee production and roasting. James provides insights into the best ways to brew and taste coffee.

Beyond his writing, Hoffmann is also a highly respected coffee roaster. He is the founder of Square Mile Coffee Roasters. The London-based roasting company has become known for its commitment to sourcing high-quality coffee beans and for its dedication to producing exceptional coffee. Hoffmann and his team at Square Mile have won numerous awards for their coffees. They have been recognized for their contributions to the specialty coffee industry.

James Hoffman on Youtube

Perhaps one of the most accessible ways that Hoffmann has contributed to the coffee industry is through his YouTube channel. With over 1 700 000 subscribers, the channel features videos on a wide range of coffee-related topics, including brewing methods, coffee equipment reviews, and interviews with industry experts. Hoffmann’s approachable style and wealth of knowledge have helped to demystify the world of specialty coffee and make it more accessible to enthusiasts around the world.

Hoffmann’s contributions to the coffee industry have not gone unnoticed. He has been a judge for the World Barista Championship and the World Brewers Cup and has won several awards for his work, including the Specialty Coffee Association’s Outstanding Contribution to the Coffee Industry Award in 2019.

Besides being the main inspiration for me as a coffee nerd starting this site. James Hoffmann is a coffee industry icon. His work has elevated the coffee experience for enthusiasts around the world including me. From his comprehensive book on the world of coffee to his award-winning coffee roasting and his accessible YouTube channel, Hoffmann’s contributions to the industry are numerous and far-reaching. If you are a coffee enthusiast his work is essential for anyone interested in the world of specialty coffee.

Links about James Hoffmann

Still asking yourself who James Hoffmann is? Check out his youtube channel or his twitter feed.

Forced to drink coffee every day until he died

In Sweden, there have been several attempts to ban coffee in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Swedish King Gustav III (1746-1792) was convinced that coffee was a deadly poison. He had a medical experiment to prove this. A prisoner sentenced to death was forced to drink coffee every day until he died.

During the 18th century, coffee became fashionable in finer circles. But there were also many including King Gustav III himself, who saw the black liquid as a threat to public health. Coffee was seen as a slow suicide.

To clarify the harmful effects of coffee drinking, the king decided to conduct a medical experiment. Two prisoners sentenced to death had to choose between the gallows or to serve as guinea pigs. Unsurprisingly, they agreed to participate in the experiment.

One prisoner was forced to drink coffee every day until he died and the other prisoner to drink tea. The experiment would continue under the supervision of two doctors until the deaths of the prisoners. The king’s idea was to show how coffee shortened human life. Gustav III was completely convinced that the coffee drinker would soon die of severe caffeine pain.

The king died before the prisoners

So the two prisoners sat in their respective cells and drank cup after cup of coffee and tea day after day. The weeks became months and the months became years. Then one of the doctors died. The prisoners were forced to continue drinking, until suddenly the other doctor also died. Then King Gustav himself died, shot during a masquerade ball at the Stockholm Opera on March 29, 1792. The experiment was not ended by the death of the king. It continued until the tea drinker finally died at the respectable age of 83 years.

There is no information on how or when the coffee drinker died. Maybe he still is alive. What is certain, however, is that the bad reputation of coffee did not improve despite the results of the royal experiment. Even today, coffee is considered by many to be a dangerous drug. In 1991, coffee was placed on the World Health Organization’s list of “possibly carcinogenic” dietary factors and gained a really bad reputation. But the coffee has since then been removed from the list. However, there is a warning against drinking very hot coffee (or other drink) as the temperature itself is likely to increase the risk of cancer of the esophagus.

More information about the coffee experiment.

Do you have an interesting story about coffee? Please contact me.

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