Boldly Brewing: DS9’s Klingon Coffee Transcends Time in Star Trek TOS’ Era
Strange New Worlds introduces DS9’s iconic Klingon Coffee to Star Trek TOS’ era, blending Discovery's canon seamlessly A steaming hot cup of intergalactic delight awaits fans in this captivating crossover
Summary
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds brings back the popular Klingon coffee, raktajino, from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine to the 23rd century.
Lt. Spock's endeavor to replicate raktajino onboard the USS Enterprise yielded amusing mishaps and mixed outcomes. The inclusion of Klingon coffee in both Star Trek: Discovery and the DS9 episode "Trials and Tribble-ations" is in line with established lore, demonstrating its escalating popularity throughout the series.
Warning: Spoilers Ahead for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2, Episode 8 - "Under The Cloak Of War"
In the latest episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, titled "Under the Cloak of War," fans of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine were treated to a delightful reference to Klingon coffee, or raktajino. The episode introduced a Klingon Ambassador named Dak'Rah, played by Robert Wisdom, who paid a visit to the USS Enterprise. This encounter brought to light hidden traumas and secrets surrounding the Klingon War for members of the crew, including Dr. Joseph M'Benga portrayed by Babs Olusanmokun, and Nurse Christine Chapel, played by Jess Bush. However, Lt. Spock, played by Ethan Peck, did his best to make Dak'Rah feel welcome by offering him a cup of raktajino.
How Strange New Worlds Brings DS9’s Klingon Coffee To Star Trek TOS’ Era
Raktajino, known as Klingon coffee, was created by Peter Allan Fields and introduced on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. This energizing beverage was favored by Starfleet personnel, including Captain Benjamin Sisko's crew, who enjoyed it in various settings including the Replimat on the Promenade, their private quarters, and even while on duty. During the 1990s, as DS9 aired, café culture gained popularity, and the cast of Friends often gathered at their local coffee shop, Central Perk. Inspired by this trend, DS9 incorporated raktajino to establish its own café culture for both Starfleet and alien characters.
In the eighth episode of season 2 of Strange New Worlds, Lieutenant Spock made an unsuccessful endeavor to use the matter synthesizer in the USS Enterprise Port Galley to duplicate raktajino. The outcome proved to be displeasing as the Klingon coffee emerged excessively cold. Unfortunately, Spock was unable to rectify this issue as he believed it to be a "simple matter of coding." This was due to the unexpected early arrival of Ambassador Dak'Rah, accompanied by Captain Pike, Number One (Rebecca Romijn), and Lieutenant La'an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong). Regrettably, Spock's subsequent attempt to replicate raktajino resulted in an excessively hot beverage, causing the former Klingon general to burn his hand on the cup.
Number One revealed that the recipe for raktajino was obtained by Spock from a Klingon Captain whom the Vulcan had engaged in negotiations. The reference to the events of the season 2 premiere of Strange New Worlds is made by Una, even though both she and Captain Pike were not present during those events. Lieutenant Spock took control of the Starship Enterprise in order to rescue La'an on Cajitar IV, where they successfully thwarted an attempt to reignite the Klingon War. In order to win the favor of the Klingons, Spock even indulged in drinking blood wine with them. Interestingly, it can be assumed that the Vulcan also managed to procure a recipe for Klingon coffee, possibly as a remedy for his hangover. It is plausible to assume that Spock was the catalyst for Starfleet becoming aware of Klingon coffee, even though its true popularity would not surge until the 24th century on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Star Trek: Discovery's Klingon Coffee Mention Works With TOS Canon
Star Trek: Discovery season 2 introduced a unique aspect of the 23rd century by mentioning Klingon coffee for the first time. During an encounter between Captain Pike, Commander Michael Burnham, and Commander Jett Reno, a survivor from the USS Hiawatha, it was revealed that she relied on a specially brewed beverage called triple-brewed raktajino while trapped on an asteroid. Interestingly, Reno, who had experienced the Klingon War firsthand, managed to acquire the recipe for Klingon coffee from the enemy aliens. However, despite this discovery, the pleasures of raktajino did not extend to the crew of the USS Discovery when Reno joined them.
In the DS9 episode "Trials and Tribble-ations," Captain Sisko and his crew traveled back in time to the 23rd century. During their visit to Deep Space Station K-7, the waitress mentioned that they had never heard of raktajino before because Klingons and hidden time travelers frequently ordered it. This is understandable since Klingons were still considered hostile during that era. It is likely that raktajino gained popularity after the Klingons became allies of the United Federation of Planets. However, in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Spock introduces Klingon coffee to the Starship Enterprise, the flagship of the Federation. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 is available for streaming on Paramount+ on Thursdays.
