Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 74, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 May 1899 — STORY OF MOCHA COFFEE. [ARTICLE]

STORY OF MOCHA COFFEE.

It Was tbe Sheik Schoedeli Who Popularised the Drink. Mocha is not alone the name of a kind of coffee, but also of a port in the district of Yemen, on the Bed Sea. The patron saint of both was Sheik Schoedell, whose memory Is venerated by the Mohammedans almost as much as that of Mohamet himself, says a writer in the Los Angeles Times. One day 500 years ago a vessel from the Indies cast anchor in the port. Those on board had noticed a hut, and they disembarked to see what it 'was. The sheik (for It was his dwelling) received the strangers kindly and gave them some coffee to drink, for he was very fond of it and attributed great virtue to it. The travelers, who had never seen coffee before, thought that this hot drink would be a cure for the plague. Schoedlt assured them that through prayers and the use of his drink not only would the plague be stopped, but also tharidf they would unload their merchandise they could make a good profit by IL The owner of the ship was impressed by this strange man, especially as he found the coffee so palatable. On the same day a large number of Arabs came to listen to the hermit’s preaching, and among them were some merchants, who purchased all the goods on the ship. The Indian visitor returned home, and, telling his strange adventure and profitable trading, many of his compatriots came to visit the saintly Schoedeli. A beautiful mosque was built over the tomb of Schoedeli after his death, and his name will never be forgotten as long as Mocha coffee is drunk. All of the Moslem coffee-housekeepers venerate him, mentioning his name in their morning devotions. Travelers say that in the town of Mocha, or Ocha, as the Arabs call It, men take their oath not by God, but by the memory of Schoedeli.