Alchymist Coffee Museum more than just another Museum
The Alchymist Coffee Museum in Prague is a tribute to coffee and coffee culture. The exhibition tells the story of the coffee bean on the plantation to the cup of coffee that many people drink every day. The museum consists of three completely different parts: the Coffee Museum, Gallery Scarabeus and the Scarabeus Garden. They roast their own coffee and you can drink it in the adjoining cafe with outdoor seating overlooking the garden.
The Alchymist Coffee Museum
Everything related to coffee is exhibited in one room. You can look around at leisure as you will probably be the only visitor. The exhibition tells about the history and cultivation of coffee. Much attention is paid to surrogates because these were much cheaper than real coffee, especially in communist days.
The Museum Collection
The collection comprises large and small coffee roasters used at home or by commercial institutions, coffee grinders in all shapes and sizes and many coffee cups. There is also a unique collection of more than 250 storage jars and tins for coffee beans and surrogate coffee dating between 1850 and 1950.
Surrogate Coffee
In addition to coffee, the museum also has an exhibition of coffee surrogates. In 1886, the great-grandfather of the current owner founded one of the first chicory drying installations and also a coffee roasting plant. Coffee surrogates such as chicory and roasted rye were especially popular in the Czech lands in the 19th century, because these brews were suitable drinks for children. In former Czechoslovakia, figs were also used as a coffee substitute, the ‘coffee grounds’ were compressed and sold as bars. The bars were boiled in water or milk and then you could drink the brew.
Coffee as a medicine
Three pharmaceutical jars for coffee dated around 1890 illustrate that in former days coffee was regarded as a medicine, a remedy for stomach and digestive problems.
Turkish Coffee
About 500 years ago, a Turk brought coffee to Prague and founded the first coffee house. The coffee was bitter and considered diabolical and unchristian. This Turk roasted and ground the coffee himself and called it turecká káva, Turkish coffee. Coffee houses in Prague still serve this type of coffee: coarsely ground coffee doused with hot water, let it steep and wait for the coffee grounds to sink before you drink it. Prague had to wait another 200 years before the sugar cube made its appearance and the coffee became drinkable.
Advertisements for Coffee
During the First Republic (1918-1938), coffee advertisements were sometimes quite shocking. The Magi arrive with gifts for the infant Jesus, instead of myrrh and frankincense they bring coffee. Other biblical characters also feature in advertisements as do fairy tale characters.
Gallery Scarabeus
The second part of the museum exhibits a collection of miniature puppet theaters. Children of wealthy families had such a theater to play with. Family puppet theaters were popular during the First Republic (1918-1938). The exhibition includes theatre stages, backgrounds, puppets and props. Part of the exhibition focuses on artistic connections with the theater Říše loutek (Marionette Empire) of Vojtěch Sucharda and Bohumír Koubek. Puppet workshops and shows are held on appointment.
The Garden of the Scarabeus Gallery
In 1996, the neglected courtyard underwent a metamorphosis. The result is a lush garden with trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs and herbs. There is also a pet corner and a pond with exotic ducks. Temporary exhibitions, open-air theater and music performances are also held here.
Getting there
Loction is right behind Sparta Stadium in a residential area
Address: Alchymist Coffee Museum, Jana Zajíce 7, Bubeneč, Prague
Open: Tuesday 14.00-19.00, Saturday and Sunday 13.00-18.00
Cukrárna Alchymista, at the same address, is a retro sweet shop and tea room with outside seating in summer in an English-style garden full of flowers. The interior reflects the style of the First Republic with wooden wainscoting, vintage furniture and a painted ceiling that depicts an allegory of alchemy. All sweets and pastries at Cukrárna Alchymista are homemade. There are flowers everywhere. Newspapers and magazines are there for you to read. Coffee and tea is served in delicate porcelain cups. All sweets, pastries and lemonades are homemade.
Open daily from 13.00 to 19.30
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photos: Marianne Crone