Coffee and Culture in the Ottoman Empire
Have you ever wondered why we drink coffee?
This digital exhibit explores the origins and effects of coffee drinking in the Ottoman Empire. By tracing the history of coffee, we can better understand the importance of coffee and cafes in our lives today.
Explore
Learn more about the culture of the first coffee drinkers with a brief history and exploration of artifacts.
Explore where coffee came from and how it spread across the Middle East and into Europe.
Take a look inside an Ottoman coffeehouse.
Ottomans drank coffee as part of Islamic practices, in public bathhouses, and in private homes.
About this project
This digital exhibit is one portion of Maggie Dobson's undergraduate thesis project, presented along with a written portion to the University of Oregon Department of Food Studies and Robert D. Clark Honors College in May 2024 for partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts. This project is a culmination of Maggie's undergraduate work and combines historical research, an interdisciplinary food studies approach, and an interest in information science and accessibility. By building a digital exhibit, this thesis challenges the traditional written format and makes the research presented here more accessible to a wider audience.