Coffee was banned in many countries over the years: from Arab nations to Europe, it was considered a "devil's brew." English ladies believed the drink "dried up" their husbands' attraction to their wives. Russia, rightfully renowned for being a land of paradoxes, had an unusual situation with the arrival of coffee. In fact, it was not forbidden but even enforced. During the reign of Peter the Great, coffee spread throughout Russia. Peter himself developed a liking for the "tonic potion" during his trip to Holland. Upon his return, he issued a decree mandating coffee to be served at his assemblies. Moreover, coffee was even offered at the entrance to the Kunstkamera. However, Russia had an abundance of beverages: kvass, sbiten, herbal tinctures, and decoctions, and the insanely expensive coffee beans didn’t particularly appeal to the people. It was commonly believed that coffee was given by the devil himself. There were even sayings like: "Tea was cursed at three councils, but coffee at seven." The most passionate coffee lover turned out to be Empress Catherine II. To brew five cups for the empress, cooks used 400 grams of ground beans—she would not accept a weaker drink.