Women's Petition Against Coffee 1674.

This Did Happen...

Photo Reference: http://houghtonlib.tumblr.com/post/81065581585/the-womens-petition-against-coffee-representing

Coffee causes men to gossip and makes them impotent....well that's what several thousand 'Buxome good women...' declared in 1664 when their men started to frequent coffeehouses instead of maintaining their duties at home.

Coffee had been popularised in England from the 1650s. Previously ale-houses were the common social ground. Yet, this exotic beverage caught the interest of scholars: coffeehouses became part of the public sphere. Men came together to discuss politics; business; the meaning of life...and to get away from women! Although women were allowed in the coffeehouse, no self-respecting women would dare enter.

In a petition against coffee, the women described their suffering. Not only now were their men drunk at night: they were drunk all day! After hefty discussion the women decided that the falling birth rate was attributed to '...nothing more than the Excessive use of that Newfangled, Abominable, Heathenish Liquor called COFFEE...'

Women were outraged that their men no longer made love to them nine times a night and felt that this foreign liquor was decaying the 'true Old English Vigour:' It trifled their time, scalded their chops and took away their money!

As if this wasn't enough, they were concerned that men would overtake women in talkativeness. Stating they were becoming jealous towards the fact that men were taking a quality that was inherently a woman's!

...'they sup muddy water, and murmur insignificant notes till half a dozen of them out-babble an equal number of us at a Gossipping, talking all at once in Confusion, and running from point to point...'

In their response, the men could not believe the women's complaint.  Stating 'Our Island is a Paradise for Women.' They declared that coffee gave them more vigour in the bedroom and coffeehouses were a respite from their insufferable women! Ending their retort with, 'Soloman was right, when he told us that the grave and the Womb were equally Insatiable.'

Thankfully, the petition had no effect...and centuries later, coffee can be enjoyed by everyone: in fabulous coffeehouses like Coffee Fest!

Want to know more?

You can read the full text here:

Women's Petition:

http://www.gopetition.com/famous-petitions-in-history/232/the-women-s-petition-against-coffee-1674.html

Men's Response:

.https://www.staff.uni-giessen.de/gloning/tx/mens-answer-1674.htm

The Secret to our Kamikaze slice REVEALED!

KAMIKAZE SLICE

The 'Kamikaze' is inspired by the caramel slice and chocolate brownie, with a nutty twist...Why not combine the best of both worlds? It has a rich brownie base, topped with caramel sauce and sprinkled with peanuts: as it's name suggests, it is an explosion of flavour and absolutely dangerous!

Coffee Fest bakes a few of your favourie slices, including the 'Kamikaze,' which is a unique creation of Coffee Fest's. We are often asked for the recipe... and up until now it has been our little secret. But this week we thought we would share our 'Kamikaze' recipe, so you too can be a smash hit at your next morning tea...

Ingredients: (Makes 16)

Base:

200g Premium Dark Cooking Chocolate.

200g Cooking Butter

1 1/2 Cups Castor Sugar

1/3 Cup Cocoa

3 eggs

1/2 Cup Plain Flour

1/4 Cup Self Raising Flour

1 Teaspoon Baking Powder

180g White Chocolate chopped (or buttons).

1 Cup Walnuts.

Filling:

2 tins (397g each) of Sweetened Condensed Milk

100g Butter

2 Tablespoons Golden Syrup.

Topping:

150g crushed Peanuts (found in the bake section of your supermarket).

Method:

Part One:

Step 1).

Line a slice tray with grease proof paper and set oven at 170 degrees Celsius.

Step 2). 

Melt 200g butter and 200g good quality dark cooking chocolate. This can be done in the microwave oven by heating for 20-30 seconds and stir. The chocolate will melt in warmth of butter. Be careful not to over heat. Alternatively simmer water on a stove and place the bowl on top to melt the ingredients.

Step 3).

Add Castor sugar to the warm chocolate mixture and mix till dissolved.

Step 4).

Add cocoa to warm chocolate mixture and stir through.

Step 5).

Add eggs and stir through.

Step 6).

Chop white chocolate and walnuts and add these to the mixture.

Step 7).

In a separate bowl sift the flours and baking powder.

Step 8).

Add the flour mixture into the chocolate mixture. Carefully fold it through until combined. Don't over mix: this will keep the texture of the base lovely and soft and it will rise nicely.

Step 9).

Place mixture evenly into greased baking tray.

Step 10).

Place in the middle of the oven and allow to cook for approximately 45 minutes/ when a skewer comes away clean. Allow to cool to room temperature before beginning Part Two. (If you are time poor, you can put the slice in the freezer to cool quickly and go straight to part two).

Part Two

Step 1). 

Melt Butter on stove and then add condensed milk and golden syrup.

Step 2).

Allow this to thicken on stove on a low heat. Stir continuosly. Be careful not to let the mixture catch as this will result in hard toffee-like pieces.

Step 3).

Add the caramel mixture to the brownie base and place back into the oven. Cook for about 10 minutes or until you see the edges begin to caramalise.

Step 4).

Bring out of oven and add the peanuts on top. Allow to cool in the fridge before cutting.

Step 5).

NOM, NOM, NOM!

Alternatively......This Slice is AVAILABLE TODAY!! Enjoy it with your favourite espresso. xxx