The Mystery of Burnt Coffee: Who Was Gloria?

Becoming Artsy Holiday Special

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By Stacy Suaya

Dec 19, 2024

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This captivating mystery begins when Jessie finds a 19th-century cookbook, leading to the discovery of a recipe called “Burnt Coffee, vulgarly known as Gloria.”

Wait—what’s so great about burning coffee?! Who was Gloria?! And why was it considered a vulgar name? In this Sherlock Holmes-style Becoming Artsy Holiday Special, Jessie dives into the historical rabbit hole, exploring ancient French plays, old dictionaries, and interlibrary loans to uncover the true origins of this intriguing drink. Learn about the recipe’s sweet, sinful, and fiery elements, and the unexpected connection to sailors, the Holy Trinity, and more.

Check out all of our Virtual Collections on Getty’s Research Portal, including our Cookbook Collection.

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