Old coffee methods made for a bitter brew. The coffee beans were roasted, ground and then boiled. This method, cowboy coffee, was used on the range for the longest time. Interestingly, a coffee company called arbuckle added a peppermint stick; cowboys volunteered to grind the coffee for the stick, so the camp cook wouldn't have to do it.

In 1865 James Mason changed the taste of coffee with his invention, the coffee percolator. However, Laurens, a Parisian metal smith is also known to have invented the machine. James Mason patented his invention in 1865. It really gained in popularity in 1906, because house wives did have to stay and watch them. they were billed as a w'atch itself' coffee maker.

After American soldiers came back, they were used to drinking large amounts of coffee, and coffee shop were born when the craze caught on in America, which started the coffee shop, and soda fountains, when they added food.

In 1912 the filter method was invented by a housewife, and today the percolator is used mainly by campers.

Learn more about this author, Liomas Thomas.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about History of the percolator?
We want to hear your view. Write now!