3It's no secret that London is addicted to coffee. In the UK alone, some fifty-five million cups are consumed each day. This newfound public interest has spawned hundreds of coffee shops, specialty roasters, and even dedicated festivals. It is, however, often forgotten that London has a history of coffeehouses dating back to the 1650s--populated by intellectuals, writers and businessmen, these were hothouses of debate, community-gathering places, and the birthplace of business. Some of these historic places are still around, flush with their vintage charm and scuffed vinyl seating. In London, they now sit alongside new Scandinavian-style coffee shops, small-batch roasters who serve steaming cups in their workshops, and Italian-style cafés passed down through generations. London is home to some of the world's best and most interesting coffeehouses--London Coffee tells their stories.