# 1950s/1960s: What was it about coffee? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** coffee\ **Created:** [December 27, 2025, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-1960s-what-was-it-about-coffee/1026088 "2025-12-27T10:24:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2025, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-1960s-what-was-it-about-coffee/1026088/101 "2025-12-30T00:16:41Z")
Looking at the innards of a moka pot, I’m forced to argue that it’s essentially a percolator, and not really an espresso machine at all. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2025, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-1960s-what-was-it-about-coffee/1026088/102 "2025-12-30T01:00:35Z")
> [@sb1953](#): > > Scientists gave hard drugs like LSD and meth to spiders and they still functions. When they dosed them with caffeine they could not weave a web. I was impressed by that until a vet pointed out that different species react very differently to things. Dogs can die from eating raisins or onions, but happily eat rotten meat and the feces of pretty much anything, without even a mild tummyache. Their guts can beat the daylights out of bacteria that would make ours weep. And you can kill spiders with a solution of saltwater and peppermint, which is probably sold in little frou-frou bottles at Bath & Bodyworks. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2025, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-1960s-what-was-it-about-coffee/1026088/103 "2025-12-30T01:04:55Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > > [@sb1953](#): > > > > Scientists gave hard drugs like LSD and meth to spiders and they still functions. When they dosed them with caffeine they could not weave a web. > > I was impressed by that until a vet pointed out that different species react very differently to things. Oh yes good point. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2025, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-1960s-what-was-it-about-coffee/1026088/104 "2025-12-30T01:05:24Z")
In Canada, Costco and all the major grocery stores removed their aisle coffee grinders decades ago. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2025, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-1960s-what-was-it-about-coffee/1026088/105 "2025-12-30T01:16:44Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I also think there’s a lot of synergy between heavy nicotine consumption / addiction and heavy caffeine consumption / addiction. Whether that’s psychological, physiological, or a bit of each I can’t say. > > But overuse of both really seems to go together like PB&J. And the 1950s & 60s were sure the era for that. I dunno. I have never smoked, and I think I might even be allergic to tobacco. But just as an experiment, I tried a piece of nicotine gum once, and felt nothing. Check my temp, BP, blood sugar and pulse every 10 minutes for an hour, and nothing, and I followed the directions on the box (of the gum). I’m one of the heaviest caffeine users I know. I don’t even bother with coffee or tea-- I just take it in pill form. If you want to know why, you can PM me. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2025, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-1960s-what-was-it-about-coffee/1026088/106 "2025-12-30T01:19:51Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Looking at the innards of a moka pot, I’m forced to argue that it’s essentially a percolator, and not really an espresso machine at all. Neither? Not pushing steam once through fine grounds as espresso machines do, and not continuously cycling boiling water above the coarse grounds and through them repetitively. Boiling water pushed once through fine grounds with pressure. To my read closer to an espresso machine than to a percolator. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2025, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-1960s-what-was-it-about-coffee/1026088/107 "2025-12-30T02:18:18Z")
Here’s the type of pot I grew up with and used initially as an adult: > **[Reversible coffee pot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reversible_coffee_pot)** > > The Neapolitan flip coffee pot (Italian: napoletana or caffettiera napoletana, .mw-parser-output .IPA-label-small{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .references .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .infobox .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .navbox .IPA-label-small{font-size:100%}pronounced \[kaffetˈtjɛːra napoleˈtaːna\]; Neapolitan: cuccumella, pronounced \[kukkuˈmɛllə\]) or cafetière Morize is a drip brew coffeemaker for the stove top very popular in Italy and France until the 20th century. Unlike a ... [![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcRzGPS5VJYY-7nos4LR_XkN9IuQ0uQr52ziTOM3beFSfWzMZzo0KoV9idEhcRr47X9MBJ4E0eNn5uBoxiMTettwmMMtNZ3R) ](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcRzGPS5VJYY-7nos4LR_XkN9IuQ0uQr52ziTOM3beFSfWzMZzo0KoV9idEhcRr47X9MBJ4E0eNn5uBoxiMTettwmMMtNZ3R) ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2025, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-1960s-what-was-it-about-coffee/1026088/108 "2025-12-30T02:18:38Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Looking at the innards of a moka pot, I’m forced to argue that it’s essentially a percolator, and not really an espresso machine at all. It is not necessarily an “espresso machine”—the pressure does not get _that_ high— (although the good ones do have a little pressure regulator/carburettor-looking widget), but what it definitely does not do, unlike the machine reviewed in the video, is continuously recycle burnt coffee. After the top is full of coffee (which never touches the pool of boiling water), you take it off the stove. Also, the flame should not be so high that it comes up around the sides and boils your coffee. ---
**Author:** ![mozchron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2025, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-1960s-what-was-it-about-coffee/1026088/109 "2025-12-30T13:41:51Z")
> [@sb1953](#): > > Scientists gave hard drugs like LSD and meth to spiders and they still functions. When they dosed them with caffeine they could not weave a web. [As demonstrated in this classic documentary…](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2HipedgM3I) ---
**Author:** ![cornycopia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ec9cab/32.png) [@cornycopia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornycopia)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2025, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-1960s-what-was-it-about-coffee/1026088/110 "2025-12-30T15:04:56Z")
I have a similar one made by Grosche that I’ve used as my go-to for 5 years. It’s almost like making a espresso/coffee hybrid. I’ve tried so many pour overs methods, french press, aeropress etc. I really like the taste from the Grosche and its really easy to use. I passed on the bialetti because its made out of aluminum these days which put me off. ---
**Author:** ![pacheen1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/51bf81/32.png) [@pacheen1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pacheen1)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2025, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-1960s-what-was-it-about-coffee/1026088/111 "2025-12-30T20:13:37Z")
We would have a party, and it would be like 100 degrees out, and we would serve up the birthday cake, and my husband’s parents would _always ask for coffee!_ ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2025, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-1960s-what-was-it-about-coffee/1026088/112 "2025-12-30T21:25:01Z")
> [@pacheen1](#): > > we would serve up the birthday cake, and my husband’s parents would _always ask for coffee!_ I get that. I crave coffee with sweet baked goods ever since I gave up drinking milk by the glass. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2025, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-1960s-what-was-it-about-coffee/1026088/113 "2025-12-31T13:24:46Z")
I drink milk with sweet baked goods, but mostly because i eat them late enough in the day that i can’t have caffeine. Coffee goes really well with them. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2025, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-1960s-what-was-it-about-coffee/1026088/114 "2025-12-31T13:42:48Z")
Coffee is one of those things that often smells better than it actually tastes. On weekday mornings, in the interests of time, I usually make Cafe Bustelo instant espresso, but on weekends, will break out the fresh beans to grind up for a quality brew. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2025, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-1960s-what-was-it-about-coffee/1026088/115 "2025-12-31T17:26:21Z")
Cafe Bustelo instant is my go-to for a quick out the door morning. ---
**Author:** ![Johnwcowan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnwcowan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnwcowan)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2025, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-1960s-what-was-it-about-coffee/1026088/116 "2025-12-31T19:20:40Z")
The grammar is perfect. Orb spiders are ones that spin orb webs as opposed to platform webs. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2025, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-1960s-what-was-it-about-coffee/1026088/117 "2025-12-31T19:30:57Z")
The … issue … (and sounded like gentle tease) with this: > [@post:62](#): > > studied how drugs impact the cognitive effects of drugs on the geometry of orb spider webs. was not the phrase “orb spider webs.” ---
**Author:** ![Johnwcowan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnwcowan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnwcowan)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2025, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-1960s-what-was-it-about-coffee/1026088/118 "2025-12-31T19:58:28Z")
Ah, perhaps you’re one of those people who thinks “impact” is not a verb, then? If so, you are simply mistaken: the figurative sense “have a forceful effect on” was first recorded almost a century ago. (If that’s not it, please enlighten me.) “Language changes. Deal with it. Revel in it.” –Mr. Verb ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2025, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-1960s-what-was-it-about-coffee/1026088/119 "2025-12-31T20:03:35Z")
😄 No “impact” is not the awkward portion either. I suspect you keep reading it how you meant to write it, not as it is written. Hint. It isn’t that “cognitive” is a poor word choice either, albeit calling the effects on web geometry “cognitive effects” _is_ a poor word choice, even if one assumes web building by spiders involves actual cognition. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2025, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-1960s-what-was-it-about-coffee/1026088/120 "2025-12-31T20:03:53Z")
I think it was the ‘drugs impact the cognitive effects of drugs’ bit that people are flagging up… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-1960s-what-was-it-about-coffee/1026088.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1950s-1960s-what-was-it-about-coffee/1026088.md?page=7)