For many of us, coffee is more than just a morning drink. It is a quiet pause before the grind begins. It is a companion to spiritual reading or to a morning prayer. It is a small joy that helps us start off on the right foot.
Here at The Catholic Company (and Catholic Coffee, of course), we know that coffee is a good thing, but science is now backing that up.
A recent study published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) examined coffee and tea intake in relation to cognitive health and found that moderate consumption is associated with a lower risk of dementia and better cognitive function later in life. This joins a growing body of research from the past decade that links our daily cup to varied health benefits such as a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and certain neurodegenerative conditions.
Researchers are careful to point out that these studies show correlations rather than a direct cause-and-effect. Coffee is not medicine, and yet it is striking that a simple roasted bean from the earth can support our mental and long-term health when enjoyed in moderation.
From a Catholic perspective, this matters. We believe that our physical health isn’t just an extra detail; it’s woven into who we are. When we use the goods of creation wisely, it becomes a way of honoring the life God gave us.
The Church has always exalted the true, the beautiful, and the good. Those of us who love coffee would humbly suggest that it belongs, in its own small way, to that tradition. Coffee comes from God’s creation. It grows from soil, sun, and rain. It requires cultivation, patience, roasting, and craft. And yes, it tastes genuinely good!
Did Catholics "baptize" coffee?
Long before it became a staple of the parish social hall, coffee was a controversial newcomer. When it first reached Europe in the 16th century, coffee was eyed with distrust; some clergy even denounced it as "Satan’s drink".
The turning point came with Pope Clement VIII, who, when urged to ban the brew, asked to try it himself first. Legend has it that after one sip, he declared it too delicious to be left only to the "infidels." He "baptized" the drink, and in doing so, changed history. (And really, what priest do you know today who doesn't love coffee?)
Why we started Catholic Coffee
I remember my own first sips of coffee. I began warming up to the taste as a seventeen-year-old camp counselor in the North Carolina mountains, clutching a hot cup in the morning just to keep my hands warm in the chilly mountain air. I kept drinking it in college and for some reason, never added milk or sweetner. To this day, I typically only drink it black.
My husband, James, had a more dramatic introduction. He didn't taste coffee until he was forty-eight years old. To escape a sudden, torrential downpour during a visit to Rome, we ducked into the historic Sant’Eustachio Caffe (turns out it's considered one of Rome's most legendary coffee houses) where he tried a tiny cup of dark espresso.
And...well, the rest is history. Suffice it to say that he was hooked.
That single sip eventually led us to where we are today, with three large roasters in our Catholic Coffee warehouse in Charlotte, North Carolina. On any given morning the air is filled with the deep, smoky aroma of dark-roasted beans...a rich, slightly burnt scent that tells you the roast is exactly where it needs to be.
Holiness is found in the ordinary
We are reminded that holiness isn't just for the extraordinary. It happens in the ordinary moments, too. The saints understood this. St. Thérèse of Lisieux found sanctity in her “little way,” offering the ordinary moments of life with great love. Even a cup of coffee can be part of that offering.
We actually had this in mind when we developed our St. Thérèse of Lisieux blend. We wanted a low-acid roast that goes down smoothly...perfect for those who pray in the early hours (or fast during Lent).
St. Therese of Lisieux Light Roast Coffee and Tumbler Gift Set - Ground
We took a different approach to our St. Drogo medium blend. St. Drogo, known as the patron saint of coffee, lived as a shepherd and a hermit after a life marked by early loss. He had an incredibly meager diet, living simply from the land. Our St. Drogo Ethiopian blend features dark berry notes—a nod to the berries he may have eaten while living as a hermit, sustained by the land and the hand of God.
St. Drogo Ethiopian Medium Roast Coffee - 12 oz. Bag
At Catholic Coffee all of our roasts are named after the saints. There is the St. Michael Dark Roast, the St. Peter Parish Roast, Our Lady of Guadalupe Mexican Mocha, the Sleeping St. Joseph decaf, and many more.
(Discover one that fits your tastes or your favorite saint! Are you a tea drinker? We have some wonderful options for you, too!)
So, is coffee good for you?
The research says coffee (and tea!) can support your long-term health. But beyond the data, we’ve always felt that it is also good for the soul. There is a simple beauty in that first sip; a moment to slow down and appreciate the little things God has given us.
In a world that often forgets how to receive simple gifts, perhaps the best thing we can do is thank God for the coffee bean, brew it well, and use the energy it gives us to love Him and others more faithfully.
That, to us, is something worth savoring.
St. Drogo, pray for us!
