Responsum: On Coffee

Question: I will inform you regarding my opinion on the fruit called al bun, and about kahve [coffee], which is the broth brewed from the husks of that fruit, and which is drunk by non-Jews, whether it is permitted or forbidden.

Response: I have researched into this fruit and I have discovered that it is not eaten in its given state, raw, as those seeds are as hard as stones and are completely inedible. Rather, they are toasted in utensils specially designed for this purpose, which soften them slightly. They are then even eaten by ministers and at kings’ tables, as they maintain that it serves to dry out the moisture from the stomach and to clean it. They likewise drink the beverage that is prepared from its husks, and accordingly there is cause to prohibit it. However, the truth of the matter is that it is not placed on the royal table as part of the main meal, and therefore it should not be considered cooked by a non-Jew. As for the issue of preparation in utensils of non-Jews, they have special utensils for this purpose, which do not impart any other flavor at all, in order not to spoil the taste. Admittedly, we do not rely on the assumption that regular utensils of non-Jews have not been used in the past twenty-four hours, unless one has already cooked in them after the fact, whereas we do not accept this assumption ab initio, and the question at hand involves an ab initio situation. Nevertheless, this is not a problem, as the non-Jews themselves are careful with regard to the utensils used in the preparation of this drink, or in which they roast the fruit, that it should be clean and washed from all other tastes, as they would ruin it. Therefore, it is permitted to eat the fruit and to drink the kahve, especially as that beverage does not have any prohibited taste, odor or appearance. If one requires it for medicinal purposes, he should send for it and have it brought to his home, as that is how their important people act, if they are embarrassed to drink it at their feasts. I have written what appears to me correct, in my humble opinion.