Sultan Murad IV (1623–1640) was so paranoid about dissent that he banned coffee, alcohol, and tobacco—believing coffeehouses were breeding grounds for political rebellion.
🚨 His punishment? Death. Murad IV personally patrolled the streets in disguise, ready to execute anyone caught sipping coffee. Imagine risking your life just for a morning brew! 😳
Luckily, later rulers eased the restrictions, and coffee culture in the Ottoman Empire flourished again. But for a while… caffeine was a crime.
Would you have risked it for a cup? ☕👀