The Coffee War

“It is disgusting to note the increase in the quantity of coffee used by my subjects and the amount of money that goes out of the country in consequence. Everybody is using coffee. If possible this must be prevented. My people must drink beer. His Majesty was brought up on beer, and so were his officers. Many battles have been fought and won by soldiers nourished on beer; and the King does not believe that coffee-drinking soldiers can be depended upon to endure hardships or to beat his enemies in case of occurrence of another war.” Frederick the Great of Prussia

“There are various theories as to what characteristics, what combination of traits, what qualities in our men won the war. This democratic heritage is highly thought of: the instinctive mechanical know-how of thousands of our young men is frequently cited: the church and Coca-cola, baseball and the movies all come in for their share of credit; but, speaking from my own observation of our armed forces, I should say the war was won on coffee.” Ilka Chase.