While tea was indeed a popular drink in 18th Century America coffee rapidly gained popularity among all classes. Coffee was served in homes, coffee houses and even was supplied to soldiers in the field. A middle class woman may have prepared and served coffee as shown here...a mix of everyday serving vessels and a simple side dish of cake, but also some fruit imported from overseas, as the coffee itself was. Grinding was accomplished in an ordinary mortar and pestle, the ground being put directly into the hot water.
While tea was indeed a popular drink in 18th Century America coffee rapidly gained popularity among all classes. Coffee was served in homes, coffee houses and even was supplied to soldiers in the field. A middle class woman may have prepared and served coffee as shown here...a mix of everyday serving vessels and a simple side dish of cake, but also some fruit imported from overseas, as the coffee itself was. Grinding was accomplished in an ordinary mortar and pestle, the ground being put directly into the hot water.