star trek klingon coffee

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A cup of raktajino

Raktajino (pronounced rack-tə-jeen-oh) was Klingon coffee , served steamed or iced.

In 2256 , Engineer Jett Reno often relied on triple-brewed raktajino while trapped aboard the USS Hiawatha , marooned on an interstellar asteroid . The drink would continue to be a favorite of hers in 3190 , when she shared with Adira Tal that " when you have to power through, nothing beats the bitter elixir of Klingon warriors. " ( DIS : " Rosetta ")

Raktajino was unknown in Federation facilities such as Deep Space Station K-7 in 2268 , as the time traveling Odo , while existing as a Solid , attempted to order one at that facility, only to be told by a waitress that it was not available – and that another patron , who planned to return later, had asked for it as well. Soon afterward, numerous Klingons from the IKS Gr'oth , taking shore leave on the station, requested the drink, much to the waitress' annoyance. She later warned that Odo's companions ( Worf , Doctor Bashir , and Chief O'Brien ) not dare ask for it; her explanation of why they should not request it came as such a surprise to the table's occupants (three of whom did not see any Klingons — and the one who did had absolutely no intention of identifying them as such) that she assumed they were intoxicated and refused to serve them. ( DS9 : " Trials and Tribble-ations ")

The beverage was eminently popular with the Starfleet members on Deep Space 9 in the 2370s , the senior staff in particular. Major Kira also drank raktajino occasionally. ( DS9 : " Duet ")

Jadzia Dax and Julian Bashir drank raktajino occasionally. In 2369 , they were sitting at the Replimat and performing repairs during the absence of Chief O'Brien. Bashir asked Dax if she would like to have another one but Dax said that this would keep her up all night. Bashir then answered he knew better things to keep her up all night than Klingon coffee. Later that year Dax and Bashir ordered two raktajinos , extra strong. In 2370 , Bashir said, again in a flirtatious manner, " Your replicator or mine " in response to Jadzia's suggestion that they have a raktajino together. ( DS9 : " Dax ", " If Wishes Were Horses ", " The Alternate ")

Benjamin Sisko started every morning off with a raktajino ; in fact, he was not awake, much less did he talk to anyone until he had his first cup. Sisko also enjoyed drinking his raktajino with jacarine peel ; this drink also went well with icoberry torte . During 2373 , however, Sisko was trying to cut back on his consumption of raktajino . ( DS9 : " Second Sight ", " The Homecoming ", " Children of Time ")

Both Curzon and Jadzia Dax enjoyed raktajino , with Jadzia occasionally enjoying hers as a double raktajino , extra sweet or iced with extra cream . ( DS9 : " The Passenger ")

In 2371 , Sisko told a nurse on Trill to tell Doctor Torvin to get himself a raktajino – as opposed to preparing a new host for the Dax symbiont – just before confronting Doctor Renhol . ( DS9 : " Equilibrium ")

Soon after, Gul Dukat sarcastically commented that he hoped Sisko hadn't been killed while ordering a raktajino , after a counter-insurgency program had replicated a disruptor that was firing at Ops personnel. ( DS9 : " Civil Defense ")

Tom Paris enjoyed raktajino with whipped cream on top; in 2372 , he considered ordering the beverage with his extra replicator rations . ( VOY : " Meld ")

Before Odo put an end to his daily security briefings to Major Kira, he would have a freshly-replicated cup of raktajino waiting for her when she arrived. ( DS9 : " Crossfire ")

The Jennifer Sisko from the mirror universe enjoyed raktajino , as Jake Sisko made her a cup the same day she kidnapped him from Deep Space 9. ( DS9 : " Shattered Mirror ")

Jake himself enjoyed his raktajino extra sweet, and drank it with makapa bread , which when dipped in the raktajino would induce it to froth up with a peppermint -flavored foam. This was, apparently, not a very common pairing, as Benjamin, a dedicated raktajino drinker, was surprised the first time he witnessed it. ( DS9 : " For the Cause ")

At the request of Chief O'Brien, Quark tried to create a decaffeinated version of raktajino in 2373. This was for the benefit of Major Kira, who was pregnant with the O'Briens' son at the time. " Quarktajino ", as Odo called it derisively, was apparently disgusting. ( DS9 : " Nor the Battle to the Strong ")

Rom had a raktajino in 2373 when assigned to a swing shift in an effort to socialize with his standoffish colleagues who were drinking the same thing. ( DS9 : " The Assignment ")

Raktajino has the properties to intoxicate Talarians . ( DS9 : " A Simple Investigation ")

During the Dominion occupation of Deep Space 9 of late 2373 to early 2374 , Mavek brought Kira Nerys a raktajino every morning. ( DS9 : " Rocks and Shoals ")

While Ezri Tigan hated the beverage, once she was joined with the Dax symbiont she was unable to control the urge to order it. ( DS9 : " Shadows and Symbols ")

When General K'orin passed out from drinking too much bloodwine , Beckett Mariner suggested that she and Brad Boimler should " get him a hot cup of raktajino , [and] he will be ready to go. " ( LD : " Envoys ")

Two Denobulan researchers on Frylon IV discussed raktajino in 2381 . The female researcher complained that raktajino made her feel jumpy. Her male colleague suggested she try Human coffee instead, but she replied that she had tried it, and it was too weak. ( LD : " Mugato, Gumato ")

When reminiscing about living in a city, Deanna Troi said she missed raktajino lattes . ( PIC : " Surrender ")

In 3191 , Adira Tal had an indeterminate number of raktajinos out of anxiety about seeing their boyfriend Gray Tal in person again after a long separation. ( DIS : " Jinaal ")

• 1.1 Appearances
• 1.2 Background information
• 1.3 External link

Appendices [ ]

Appearances [ ].

• " The Passenger "
• " If Wishes Were Horses "
• " The Homecoming "
• " Second Sight "
• " The Alternate "
• " Equilibrium "
• " Civil Defense "
• " Family Business "
• " Crossfire "
• " Accession "
• " Shattered Mirror "
• " For the Cause "
• " Nor the Battle to the Strong "
• " The Assignment "
• " Trials and Tribble-ations "
• " Let He Who Is Without Sin... "
• " A Simple Investigation "
• " Children of Time "
• " Blaze of Glory "
• " A Time to Stand "
• " Favor the Bold "
• " Sacrifice of Angels "
• " You Are Cordially Invited "
• " Resurrection "
• " Wrongs Darker Than Death or Night "
• " Inquisition "
• " Valiant "
• " Shadows and Symbols "
• " The Siege of AR-558 "
• " Field of Fire "
• " Tacking Into the Wind "
• " Rosetta "
• " Under the Cloak of War "

Background information [ ]

Robert Hewitt Wolfe credited Peter Allan Fields with creating raktajino. [1]

The prop department placed several in-jokes on the label of the raktajino bottle. The label read "100% Colombian," "Made from the Green Hills of Earth" (a title of a short story by Robert Heinlein ), and "Imported by Harcourt Mudd ".

Raktajino was available to order at the Star Trek Experience . [2]

The Star Trek Cookbook (p. 176f.), describes raktajino as "real java, aged java you can make even more robust and vigorous by mixing with dark French roast or Italian espresso beans". It can be prepared in a drip coffeemaker, in a French plunger coffee carafe or even in a vacuum coffeemaker.

Marc Okrand speculated in Klingon for the Galactic Traveler that raktajino was adapted from a Klingon drink called ra'taj. Raktajino is, according to Okrand, a combination of cappuccino and ra'taj.

According to the script for " Afterimage ", this beverage's name was pronounced as "ROCK-ta-GEE-no". [3]

External link [ ]

• Raktajino at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
• 1 Abdullah bin al-Hussein

Raktajino: Klingon Coffee for a True Warrior

Last Updated Jan 2024 – I’ll be honest with you: you won’t easily find a more enthusiastic Trekkie – I’ve seen even the bad movies hundreds of times, and I’ve watched just about every episode of the series to date. I even love the new series Star Trek: Discovery, and as time goes by, as a person that’s very interested in cooking, I’ve tried to emulate some of the more otherworldly dishes that have been featured on the various Star Trek shows. 

As a person that’s always busy, I also fashion myself to be quite the coffee connoisseur, and this is where my two passions led me to my newest culinary pursuit: making my own raktajino , or as fans of the series often call this Klingon coffee, raktacino .

A Little History

Believe it or not, this Klingon coffee wasn’t a drink that was often consumed by the Klingon crew member of both Star Trek: The Next Generation or the later seasons of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Commander Worf . In fact, it was primarily consumed by the senior staff of Deep Space Nine, especially his wife, Jadzia, and friend, Kira Nerys. Outside of the crew, this seemingly addictive drink was ordered by the occasional Klingon, but clearly, its taste and effects were favored by the station’s inhabitants.

How the Drink Should Taste

Put simply; this is supposed to be an alien drink, so don’t be afraid to explore your palate when you’re ready to make your first cup.

To be honest, it really wouldn’t be Klingon if it didn’t have a bit of spice, right?

For this reason, if you want to kick it up a notch, feel free to throw in a few interesting ingredients like cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to your drink. Having said that, some people like the drink on the sweet side as well, which illustrates how varied the experience can be. I’ve had both variations, and both can be pleasing to the palate. As a matter of fact, the recipes that I am going to show you blend both savoriness and sweetness so that you can have a unique experience when you first taste this drink.

Ways to Enjoy the Drink

As you might expect, like the Klingon dish gagh , there are multiple unique ways to try your Klingon coffee. Some prime examples of variations on the drink that were presented in-cannon include:

• With Whipped Cream – This alien coffee didn’t just appear on Deep Space Nine; even on a rationed diet, characters like Lieutenant Tom Paris enjoyed a bit of Qo’noS’s favorite coffee. As you might expect, just adding a dollop of whipped cream to your drink works well, but you can also intensify the sweetness by tossing in some extra sugar crystals.
• With Jacarine Peel or Icoberry Torte – This variation on the drink was the go-to for the commander of the station and captain of the Defiant, Benjamin Sisko. While Ben certainly began to curb his desire for the drink as the show progressed, he apparently still loved his Klingon java with jacarine peel, which of course, is an entirely made up drink for the series. Don’t fret though; you can emulate the taste by merely substituting orange or lemon peel – both of which can be used to cut the bitterness of the espresso that you’re using for the drink.
• Decaf – To me, this one variation goes a bit against the spirit of the drink since it’s designed to be a pick-me-up, but having said that, there is precedence that establishes a decaffeinated variation in the continuity of the show. During Kira’s pregnancy, Quark created what was sarcastically called a “Quarktajino,” which was caffeine-free so that it didn’t affect Kirayoshi who was yet to be born. While this variation supposedly tasted bad, you can create a version for yourself if you’re caffeine-intolerant by substituting in standard decaf coffee or espresso.
• With Makapa Bread – Honestly, I don’t know what alien world is home to Makapa bread, but I’ll have to assume Bajor due to Deep Space Nine’s position. In any case, Jake Sisko’s habit was to drink this type of coffee with this type of bread, sans crust. To be honest, I love a nice pastry with just about any coffee, so for this variation, I suggest pairing the Klingon coffee with some nice chocolate chip bread or even some crunchy biscotti .
• With a Little Something  Extra   – If you watched the episode,  A Simple Investigation , you’d remember that the Talarians had a somewhat unique experience with this coffee – it made them intoxicated. While standard versions of the drink won’t do this to humans, you can add in a bit of rum or hazelnut liqueur if you want an eye-opening experience. Additionally, if you read on into the actual recipe section, I’m going to provide a recipe for this strong brew that uses another form of alcohol.

It’s also important to note that the drink is very portable; it can be served up in a thermos or a travel mug. I also love the fact that both iced and hot variations taste equally great, but if you’re a Trek purist, you should probably stick with warmed versions of this coffee because none of the episodes of the series highlighted one of these drinks on the rocks.

How to Make Your Own Klingon Cup of Coffee

Before we get started, if you want that authentic Klingon feel, it’s a great idea to have this uniquely Klingon drink freshly after a battle between your noble house and the house of your enemies. While this isn’t required, it certainly will add to the deliciousness of your honorable victory!

Some of the ingredients that you’ll need:

• Espresso (you can use an espresso machine if you have one, but just about any espresso from a Keurig or a powdered mix will do).
• One cinnamon stick
• Dark chocolate cocoa mix
• A teaspoon of nutmeg
• Four cloves (if you don’t want to grind your own, purchasing pre-ground cloves works well)
• A quarter of a cup of powdered milk (if you’re looking for a creamier flavor, just throw in as much as a full packet of the stuff)
• A teaspoon of ground allspice
• Optional Ingredient: The tears of your defeated foes

While the espresso is brewing in your machine, grind up your cinnamon stick and your cloves until they are well and truly powdered. Next, add these freshly-powdered ingredients as well as the nutmeg, dark chocolate cocoa, allspice, and powdered milk to a larger cup, and pour in your finished espresso on top. With the larger cup, you may want to add in a little more water, but don’t fret, there will be plenty of flavor in the cup so that it won’t taste watered down.

Serve the drink as hot as possible – no true warrior would ever drink this unique coffee chilled. The drink will be somewhat thick, but it should have the consistency of a freshly-made cup of hot cocoa. For variety and an even more unique and spicy flavor, you can even add a pinch of cayenne into the mix.

Klingon Coffee with Powdered Espresso

Rather than making your espresso beforehand, mix the espresso powder with the powdered allspice, cloves, cocoa, nutmeg, and the cinnamon. Place this powdered mix inside of a coffee filter and start the brewing process. If you want a Jadzia-friendly variation, double brew it for a near-excessive but Klingon-worthy coffee kick.

As the Qo’noS java is brewing, slowly and carefully pour in your ¼ cup of powdered milk as well as the amount of sugar that will suit your taste. Once you’re satisfied with the darkness and intensity of the brew, it’s time to stir it briskly and pour it into a large cup so that you can enjoy your drink in honor of Kahless the Unforgettable.

The Irish Variation to Drink Before Battle

When I make this, I sometimes wonder if Miles O’Brien ever tried this with Commander Worf; they never were close, but considering that the Klingon drink was so popular on the station, I’d like to believe that this is just a variation that we didn’t see on-screen.

This is also a recipe that isn’t ingredient-heavy, so if you can make an espresso, either via a machine or a mix, then you shouldn’t have too much problem creating this alcoholic variation of the drink.

Some of the ingredients you’ll need:

• Irish whiskey
• Dark chocolate flakes
• Milk (preferably whole)
• Smoked paprika

The only way that this drink could be simpler is by simply ordering it up in a food replicator. Since we don’t have that technology yet, all you have to do is make up your espresso in whichever way suits your needs and toss all of the other ingredients except the chocolate flakes into a large drink shaker . Finally, throw in some ice and shake until all of the ingredients are combined, and top the drink off with some dark chocolate flakes and the paprika . You’ll be amazed how sweet-savory this drink tastes, and you may find yourself emboldened enough to take on even the great Dominion.

Wrapping it up

The Klingon way almost always involves battle, but fortunately, drinking their iconic coffee doesn’t require you to battle a rival house and their targs. Each of the recipes that I provided in this guide tastes delicious, and if you’re feeling adventurous, each pairs well with several types of pastries, and in many cases, the drink can be paired well with a full-on meal.

I always find that recipes like this one that explore our favorite imaginary worlds offer a great opportunity to explore and create, so I hope that you feel creative enough to craft some of your own raktajino recipes and share them with some of your fellow fans.

Peter's path through the culinary world has taken a number of unexpected turns. After starting out as a waiter at the age of 16, he was inspired to go to culinary school and learn the tricks of the trade. As he delved deeper, however, his career took a sudden turn when a family friend needed someone to help manage his business. Peter now scratches his culinary itch on the internet by blogging, sharing recipes, and socializing with food enthusiasts worldwide.

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Very timely recipes as I’m finishing off watching DS9 on Netflix. I didn’t realize how much food and drink was mentioned in DS9 and part of my would have loved to see what it looked like in those cups. Thanks for this.

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• Food & Drink
• Pacific NW Magazine

Breaking down the Raktajino, the Klingon coffee drink from ‘Star Trek’

THERE’S NO SUCH thing as “morning” in space.

Whether you’re the head of a band of scrappy interstellar pirates, a smuggler trying to make the Kessel Run in under 12 parsecs or piloting the Nostromo to a sketchy distress call, you and your fictional comrades all have one thing in common: Your days begin when the ship’s computer, and not the sun, tells you it’s time to wake up.

But if you’re in Starfleet, you can begin your working day as if it’s morning with an extra-human caffeinated beverage: the Raktajino (pronounced rack-tə-jeen-oh ).

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No fully realized immersive fantasy world is complete without a cuisine, but even some of our most beloved franchises neglect to tell us what our brave heroes drink to start the day. Not so “Star Trek,” where the various crews of the various ships of the show’s many incarnations frequently turn to the solace of machine-replicated beverages to make the uniformly star-filled “days” pass.

And while Capt. Picard might be famous for his favorite “Tea, Earl Grey, hot,” the fictional drink most familiar to “Star Trek” fans is probably the Raktajino, the Klingon coffee drink mentioned throughout the shows and books that comprise the “Star Trek” canon. It became a regular mention on that great soap opera in the sky, “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” where the titular space station’s thirsty crew members most often quaffed it at the counter of Quark’s Bar, and the station’s Capt. Benjamin Sisko had one to begin every sunless morning.

According to most sources of “Trek” lore, the coffee plant is not native to the Klingon biota, but it is a crop most enthusiastically adopted and grown locally on their homeland of Qo’noS (aka Kronos), where they call it qa’vin (a Klingonization of the word “caffeine”). The Raktajino is therefore a galactic fusion food, a symbol of the happy symbiosis of cultural exchange that can happen when interplanetary peace is achieved between two races of carbon-based humanoid life-forms who, luckily, can harmlessly consume each other’s forms of sustenance.

Armies of “Star Trek” fans have, of course, given much thought and consideration to approximating this drink in real life, and the general consensus is that it is something like Turkish coffee (it often is described as “spicy”) and something like Irish coffee, because it is both caffeinated and alcoholic, and crafted to appeal to the distinctly Klingon appetite for enthusiastic punishment. The basic recipe for the Raktajino is some undetermined combination of coffee, spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, maybe cardamom) and Klingon liquor, usually identified as ra’taj .

Frustratingly, what ra’taj itself is made of is never quite clear, and the word is sometimes applied to the coffee drink itself, with “Raktajino” used only when the beverage is served with milk, making “Raktajino” a Klingon-Italian portmanteau of ra’taj and cappuccino .

For the human drinker, the Raktajino is interpreted by fans as sweet, even aggressively sweetened. Klingon taste buds supposedly perceive the drink as sweet on its own, but to humans and their soft, fluffy tongues, it tastes notably bitter and requires quite a lot of sugar to make it palatable. (Note: This is how I felt about regular coffee as a child, and how many people feel about regular coffee as adults.)

Given the rather metal culinary profile of the Klingon gastronome (including things such as Rokeg blood pie; Krada leg; Firewine; and, of course, Bloodwine), it is not surprising that the Raktajino is described as strong, often unpleasantly so, even as “drinking an oil slick … only without the tangy aftertaste.”

The coffee itself must be quite strong, like Turkish coffee, and the closest approximation for the Klingon liqueur available to the modern-day earthling is probably that most noxious of aperitifs, Malört, which in a previous column I described as “an evil rotten grapefruit with a Band-Aid,” with a bracing, punitive quality that probably would appeal to the Klingon palate.

Now, a fictional drink is just that — fictional — and until we get access to Klingon liqueur in real life, it can be truly experienced only vicariously by actually watching the show. But because a Raktajino just looks more or less like an ordinary cup of Irish coffee on-screen (sometimes even served with whipped cream), the most obvious visual clue that a “Star Trek” crew member is consuming one is that they’re sipping it out of a distinctive mug.

These mugs — whether simply the standard drinkware on the station, or specific to the Raktajino — look like mini-carafes, with wide bases and small mouths, a delightfully fake future-y inverted design that perhaps nods to a profession that requires mugs to be spillproof in case of the occasional asteroid field or wormhole phenomenon. Some of the mugs on the show look artisanal, but for several episodes, the props department made use of a commercially available mug called the Highwave by a company called Hotjo.

You still can find such mugs on Amazon and eBay, if you wish to fully immerse yourself in the fantasy some cold Seattle winter morning when you wake up for work in a world so dark and cold, you might as well be in outer space.

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The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times.

Have a Cup of Raktajino, the Klingon Coffee

Klingons may be "foul-smelling barbarians," but they sure know how to make coffee. The Klingon coffee known as raktajino became a staple on the Enterprise during the time of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager . Captain Sisko was particularly addicted to the highly-caffeinated raktajino. John DiMarco ( previously at Neatorama) made a supercut of Starfleet personnel ordering or discussing raktajino over the course of several seasons. It will leave you craving a cuppa Klingon coffee, or else give you the caffeine jitters. I particularly enjoyed the sequence that involved time travel, as Odo and his DS9 companions encounter Klingons they do not recognize because they are made up in the low-budget Star Trek: The Original Series fashion. That's the kind of touch that makes us love Star Trek so much. By the way, those iconic cups they are drinking out of are available from many vendors online. -via Geeks Are Sexy

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Star Trek Coffees Launching In May With Several Blends

| April 7, 2024 | By: TrekMovie.com Staff 27 comments so far

This week’s Star Trek merchandise update is focused on a brand new product designed to perk you up. We also have a couple of other updates on new and upcoming releases for the week.

Star Trek Coffee

Pop Culture Coffee has announced the launch of a collection of limited-edition Star Trek-branded coffees. They are promising a “flavorful array of carefully curated coffee blends” inspired by iconic Star Trek characters, cultures, and starships. Each bag of Star Trek coffee features unique artwork for the 100% organic Arabica beans, and small-batch craft roasted. The line will start with two blends of ground coffee inspired by Star Trek: The Original Series . Captain’s Choice is a smooth medium roast featuring James T. Kirk. And Vulcan Vanilla is a full-flavored Madagascar vanilla roast featuring Mr. Spock. Both are priced at $17.99 for a 12 oz (340g) bag and are due to arrive on May 12th. You can pre-order at popculturecoffee.com .

Upcoming releases that will be available for pre-order later in April and May include:

• Klingon Raktajino : brown sugar roast, featuring The Next Generation’s Worf
• Federation French Roast : featuring Captain Jean-Luc Picard
• Borg Blend : light roast highlighting the Borg Queen

Naturally, a coffee inspired by Captain Janeway ( Janeway’s Java Jolt ) is also being planned for soon after.

Picard Season 2 & 3 collector’s cards

This week Rittenhouse released their latest set of Star Trek collectible cards, featuring seasons 2 and 3 of  Star Trek: Picard . The base set includes 60 cards (3 cards for each episode in both seasons). These have photos and synopses for each episode. There are also several bonus cards including cards signed by the series stars. The base set is $29.99. For more details and a complete checklist or just to buy, visit scifihobby.com .

Coming April 16: Lower Decks Season 4 on DVD/Blu-ray

Season 4 of the animated comedy Star Trek: Lower Decks arrives on Blu-ray and DVD on Tuesday, April 16. The set comes complete with exclusive special features including audio commentaries with the cast and Mike McMahan on half of the 10-episode season. You can pre-order  Lower Decks Season 4 now at Amazon on Blu-ray for $25.36  and $19.98 on DVD . Season 4 was released on digital in February on Amazon and other digital platforms.

Bargains of the Week: Half off 7-season DVD box sets

If you are still a fan of DVDs then you can pick up some bargains now at Amazon.com. The three Star Trek TNG-era series box sets are priced around half off. This includes Star Trek: The Next Generation for $69.60 , Voyager , for $62.99 , and Deep Space Nine for $59.99 .

Find more news and reviews of  Star Trek merchandise .

DISCLAIMER: We may link to product affiliate links that support TrekMovie by earning a small commission when you purchase through them.

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Jean-Luc Picard drinks Earl Grey tea! Coffee is for barbarians!

I dunno, Spock doesn’t strike me as a “flavored coffee” type of person.

I think of him as a tea man, myself.

“I think of [Spock] as a tea man, myself.”

He does have T-negative blood.

On the topic of merchandise Strange New Worlds Season 2 disc release finally has a date for Australia of May 15.

https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-season-2-2023-blu-ray

A new Star Trek coffee line! Where is “Janeway Juice”?

Captain Janeway should have been called “Captain Coffee”, always holding a mug! Even Hologram Janeway drinks coffee. Kathryn will not be happy, being the number one coffee drinker in Starfleet, if she doesn’t get her own elixir of life!

Yes. Janeway Coffee has to be item #1.

Yes! I just said the same thing haha. I think everyone is thinking it.

BTW I haven’t seen Prodigy yet but does she still drinks coffee on that show?

Actually she drinks more tea now when she was on the Dauntless. I think her doctor advised it. But hologram Janeway did. 🙂

Oh I see thank you dear! I’m actually more of a tea drinker as well but that’s due to my upbringing.

I’m very excited to see Janeway again! 😊

Brings back memories of House of Kharn Dark Roast, and Andorian Ice blend

May I suggest Bones Romulan Ale Birthday Blend

Talk about unforced errors. Janeway should’ve been in the first coffee batch. And yes, Vulcans do not drink flavored coffee. And Rhaktajino (sp?) seems like another no-brainer to me.

That said, I wish them well, and hope they exist long enough to do the other proposed blends.

Only Colombian Coffee. Ortegas Colombian Blend. Will buy it if available! :D

Would not call myself “still a fan of DVDs,” but since that’s the best physical format available for DS9 and VOY I do own those sets. Thanks for reopening that old wound! lol

Wake me up when they get to the breakfast cereal with a big ol box of Cheeri-Ol-mox!

Oo-Mox dang IPhone killed my joke!

It’s OK, we got it!

Does anyone else remember the trek coffees and hot chocolates sold in the late 90s by starbase-1.com?? They were awesome, I’m hoping these will be as good.

I want to try Raktajino. I’ve always wondered what it tastes like.

Oh yes same!!!

Oh wow that coffee sounds fantastic. I would buy them all but it seems like a crime against the Federation not to have a Janeway brew.

Does Worf even drink those? It should be Jadzia or Sisko on that bag.

I drink coffee with my Janeway cup all the time, so this would be a nice addition. 😎👍

Once in awhile I’ll see the Carlo Giannini cups used on TNG-Enterprise (but mostly Voyager). They’re tempting.

Saenger Pottery still sells the wild creations that Picard would serve tea out in later seasons.

Screen Rant

Strange new worlds brings ds9’s klingon coffee to star trek tos’ era.

Klingon coffee raktajino was invented on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Strange New Worlds confirms Klingons drank it in the 23rd century.

• Star Trek: Strange New Worlds brings back the popular Klingon coffee, raktajino, from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine to the 23rd century.
• Lt. Spock attempts to replicate raktajino on the USS Enterprise with mixed results, causing humorous mishaps.
• The mention of Klingon coffee in Star Trek: Discovery and the DS9 episode "Trials and Tribble-ations" aligns with the canon and shows how its popularity grew over time.

Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2, Episode 8 - "Under The Cloak Of War"

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine fans and characters have a sweet tooth for Klingon coffee, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds confirms raktajino's status in the 23rd century. Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 8, "Under the Cloak of War," saw a Klingon Ambassador named Dak'Rah (Robert Wisdom) visit the USS Enterprise, which triggered trauma and hidden secrets about the Klingon War among members of the crew like Dr. Joseph M'Benga (Babs Olusanmokun) and Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush). However, Lt. Spock (Ethan Peck) tried to make Dak'Rah feel at home with raktajino.

Klingon coffee, raktajino, was introduced on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and executive producer Robert Hewitt Wolfe credits Peter Allan Fields with inventing it. Served steaming hot or iced, raktajino was the caffeinated beverage of choice of Starfleet personnel on DS9, and Captain Benjamin Sisko's (Avery Brooks) crew enjoyed it at the Replimat on the Promenade, replicated in their private quarters, and even on duty. In the 1990s, when DS9 was on the air, cafe culture was popularized, with the cast of Friends congregating each week at their neighborhood coffee shop, Central Perk. It made sense for DS 9 to give Starfleet and aliens alike their own cafe culture with raktajino.

How Strange New Worlds Brings DS9’s Klingon Coffee To Star Trek TOS’ Era

In Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 8 , Lt. Spock attempted to use the USS Enterprise Port Galley's matter synthesizer to replicate raktajino, with unhappy results. The Klingon coffee was emerging too cold, but Spock couldn't rectify what he believed was a "simple matter of coding" because Ambassador Dak'Rah arrived unexpectedly early with Captain Pike, Number One (Rebecca Romijn), and Lt. La'an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong). Unfortunately, Spock's next attempt to replicate raktajino came out much too hot and the former Klingon general burned his hand on the cup.

Number One explained that Spock procured a recipe for raktajino from a Klingin Captain the Vulcan parlayed with. Una is referring to the events of Strange New Worlds' season 2 premiere, which neither she nor Captain Pike were present for. Lt. Spock hijacked the Starship Enterprise on a mission to rescue La'an on Cajitar IV, where they foiled an attempt to reignite the Klingon War. Spock won over the Klingons by drinking blood wine with them, but apparently, the Vulcan also took home a recipe for Klingon coffee, perhaps to sooth his hangover. It can be inferred that Spock is the reason why Starfleet became aware of Klingon coffee, although its popularity wouldn't explode 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 actually had the 23rd century's first reference to Klingon coffee. When Captain Pike and Commander Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) met Commander Jett Reno (Tig Notaro), a survivor of the USS Hiawatha, she claimed she relied on triple-brewed raktajino when she was trapped on an asteroid. Reno was a veteran of the Klingon Wa r, so somehow she also acquired the recipe for Klingon coffee from the enemy aliens. However, the pleasures of raktajino didn't spread throughout the USS Discovery when Reno came aboard.

When Captain Sisko and members of his crew time traveled to the 23rd century in the DS9 episode "Trials and Tribble-ations," the waitress at Deep Space Station K-7 said they'd never heard of raktajino after Klingons and the various incognito time travelers kept ordering it. This also makes sense since Klingons were still a hostile alien race in that era. Raktajino's popularity likely became widespread after the Klingons became allies of the United Federation of Planets, but Spock has now brought Klingon coffee to the Starship Enterprise, the flagship of the Federation, in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 streams Thursdays on Paramount+.

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Raktajino is the chai tea of the Star Trek universe

Credit: CBS

This is a raktajino. It’s Klingon coffee.

Except for Worf, the only actual Klingon serving aboard Deep Space Nine. He drinks prune juice.

The enduring question, then, is this: If rakatajino is so popular, then why don’t any of the Klingons on the show actually drink it? Why is it only non-Klingons who drink a Klingon beverage?

Friends, I’m sorry to break the news to you that raktajino is the chai tea of the Star Trek universe.

If you’re unfamiliar with chai tea, it’s similar to naan bread or manga comics — in that they don’t exist. Chai is the Hindi word for tea; when you call something “chai tea,” you’re simply saying “tea tea.” It’s the perfect signal to anyone Indian that this beverage is Not For Us.

Chai, as traditionally prepared, is made with spices and served black or with some milk. Chai tea is often served with whipped cream or as a latte. Sometimes chai tea is even iced.

(This is not a diatribe against chai lattes. I drink them more often than I’d like to admit. This is just a statement about how, while tasty, they also sometimes make me want to cry inside.)

Now, it’s not quite clear when raktajino was first introduced to the Federation, but the crew of Deep Space Nine drank it constantly. It even gave Dr. Bashir an excuse to consistently sexually harass Lt. Jadzia Dax through the first season.

It’s worth noting that, during the time period that The Original Series is set, drinking raktajino wasn’t a norm in the Federation. That’s understandable, because it was a period of Cold War between the Federation and the Klingons. As we saw in the Deep Space Nine episode “Trials and Tribbleations” (in which the Defiant is sent back in time to The Original Series episode “The Trouble With Tribbles"), ordering Klingon coffee was no easy feat at a Starbase.

However, they weren’t the first to order Klingon coffee that day. Actual Klingons visiting the space station ordered Klingon coffee. Which means that it was (and may still be) a beverage that Klingons themselves do drink.

But these are Klingons we’re talking about. They’re fierce warriors, so fierce that their alcoholic beverage of choice, bloodwine, has actual blood in it. They certainly don’t drink their raktajino extra sweet, like Dax, or with makapa bread, as Jake Sisko demonstrated. (When you dip it in raktajino, the bread produces a peppermint-tasting foam. THE KLINGONS SCOFF AT YOUR PUNY PEPPERMINT.)

And they certainly  don’t drink it with whipped cream, as Tom Paris did on Star Trek: Voyager .

Credit: CBS / @Swear_Trek

While raktajino might have become the coffee of choice for humans, Bajorans, and Trill alike, let’s remember that it originally was Klingon coffee. And let’s please never call it raktajino coffee.

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Breaking down the Raktajino, the Klingon coffee drink from ‘Star Trek’

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• Fantasy Food

Raktajino (Klingon coffee)

I love coffee. Unconditionally, since I like it in all of its shapes and varieties. I drink black coffee, coffee with milk and sugar, an espresso or an americano. It doesn’t matter the presentation, l just love coffee. Even in the beginning, when a regular coffee was too much for my hyper excited nerves, I drank decaf. The taste was everything that I needed. When it comes to Star Trek, I am more picky. The next generation, Voyager and Lower decks, plus some movies. That’s it. Therefore I was delighted to find out that the favorite drink of capitan Cisco from DS9 is Raktajino. Well also a little frustrated since it took me so long to learn this, but anyways. Raktajino is klingon coffee and that in itself is awesome! Coffee is great but klingon coffee should be stronger, better, faster and meaner looking.

Making of Raktajino

Naturally I immediately tried to recreate it. First, the base. Since the coffee is klingon, it should be strong. I use double the usual amount of coffee to make the base brew. The preparation method is not that important, since the taste is heavily modified. High concentration of caffeine and base taste is the only thing we need. Just use your favorite method like french press or drip, even instant coffee is ok.

Now the spices. This is the main source of the taste. A strong, arabic mix of spices is exactly what a klingon coffee needs. So cinnamon, cardamom and allspice are a must. This is not in line with my klingon bloodwine recipe , but then agin, wine and coffee are not similar beverages. The combination of spices provides a nice balance and creates a round, rich taste. If you want to add more punch,  add some black pepper to the mix. And don’t go easy on the spices! Almost a half of a teaspoon of the spice mix per cup of raktajino sounds a lot, but it is needed to counter the strong taste of coffee. And it will give the punch that the klingon coffee promises and deserves.

You can drink it as such, but it is too bitter for my taste. So a teaspoon of sugar is definitely a great improvement. The sugar adds to the body and makes the coffee taste more rounded and full. For the finishing touches you can add a few drops of rum or cognac. This does not alter the taste, but it helps the spices to express themself more. Alcohol namely evaporates easily and can carry fragrances to the nose. Therefore making alcohol free beer that is similar to alcoholic one is so difficult.

MemoryBeta Raktajino

When crawling the Internet about Raktajino references, I came across MemoryBeta . Here it is mentioned that Raktajino is a blend of coffee and ra’taj liqueur. What a wonderful idea! The addition of fine alcohol seems like a logical extension of klingon coffee. Sadly, no more references were found to what the ra’taj liqueur is, but in my mind there was no doubt: coffee liqueur! I tried to buy Kahlua, but then found something equally delicious: Tia Maria Cold brew. Anyway, the addition of fine coffee liqueur added a hafty body to the drink and infused it with the inner heat that lingered for a long time in your torso. Magnificent! On the side note, this variant is not something to be drunk in the morning for your pick-me-up, but rather in the afternoon for your get-me-ready-for-the evening! Cheers!

Raktajino recipe

• 1 cup Extra strong coffee
• ½ teaspoon of mixed spices (equal parts of cinnamon, cardamom and allspice, optionally black pepper)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon rum or cognac (optional)

Add spices to the coffee when it has cooled dow just a little bit to prevent flavor to escape in great amounts. Add sugar and optional rum, mix and enjoy!

MemoryBeta Raktajino recipe

• 20 mL of a good coffee liquor (e.g. Tia Maria Cold brew)

I must confess that I do regularly treat myself to Raktajino (sometimes to the MemoryBeta version). It is a welcome change from everyday coffee taste and it definitely starts you up for the task ahead. So treat yourself to one!

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Klingon Raktajino

Introduction: Klingon Raktajino

Being a chef means I get to experiment making new dishes and drinks. Recently a friend threw a "Star Trek" Party and wanted me to make some of the food from "The Star Trek Cookbook", and to also create Star Trek Drinks from the various spin offs. Since I enjoy creating I decided to come up with my own recipes instead of using those that have been published, I wanted my drinks to be as alien as possible. So here is the first drink Klingon Raktajino. I will try to add a new drink each month time and interest permitting.

Step 1: Ingrediants

It would be kind of hard to make Raktagino with out the ingredients" 1. Espresso Coffee 2. Cinnamon to taste 3 .Four whole cloves 4. Four Allspice pods 5. Dash of Nutmeg 6. Sugar to taste 7. Half packet Powdered Milk

Step 2: Combine

Combine all the ingredients except sugar and powdered milk into a coffee filter.

Step 3: Brew

Brew Raktajino in a Hew-man coffeepot, If you want really strong Raktagino you can double brew it. ******WARNING********* Double brewing should only be attempted by the Strongest and Bravest of Warriors!!

Step 4: Add Sugar and Powdered Milk

Add sugar to taste and 1/2 packet powdered milk to a pitcher while raktajino is brewing

Step 5: Mix and Stir

Pour the finished Raktagino into pitcher,then stir to mix coffee,sugar and powdered milk.

Step 6: Pour and Enjoy

Pour your self a cup and enjoy,though it is best drunk while telling stories of past battles with your warrior brothers! Qapla'

Step 7: NOTES:

If you want to drink your Raktagino in true Deep Space Nine fashon you can order the cups they used from here http://highwave.bigcartel.com/product/hotjo  for $12.50 It would make a great addition to any of you who collect Star Trek Props!

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Memory Beta, non-canon Star Trek Wiki

A friendly reminder regarding spoilers ! At present the expanded Trek universe is in a period of major upheaval with the continuations of Discovery and Prodigy , the advent of new eras in gaming with the Star Trek Adventures RPG , Star Trek: Infinite and Star Trek Online , as well as other post-57th Anniversary publications such as the ongoing IDW Star Trek comic and spin-off Star Trek: Defiant . Therefore, please be courteous to other users who may not be aware of current developments by using the {{ spoiler }}, {{ spoilers }} OR {{ majorspoiler }} tags when adding new information from sources less than six months old (even if it is minor info). Also, please do not include details in the summary bar when editing pages and do not anticipate making additions relating to sources not yet in release. THANK YOU

• Memory Beta articles sourced from novellas
• Klingon beverages
• View history

Raktajino , commonly referred to as " Klingon coffee ", is actually a blend of coffee and ra'taj liqueur. Raktajino is served steamed or iced. ( DS9 episode : " Dax ", ST reference : Klingon for the Galactic Traveler )

• 1 History and specifics
• 2.1 Connections
• 2.2 References
• 2.3 External link

History and specifics [ ]

Raktajino was not commonly known of in the Federation prior to the 2260s . ( DS9 episode : " Trials and Tribble-ations ") By the 2330s , it was more familiar to Federation citizens, but not particularly popular at the time. ( ST - The Lost Era novel : Well of Souls )

Raktajino became popular with the personnel of Deep Space 9 , including Benjamin Sisko , Kira Nerys , Jadzia Dax and Julian Bashir . ( DS9 episodes : " Dax ", " Duet ", " The Homecoming ", " Nor the Battle to the Strong ")

Captain Declan Keogh of the USS Odyssey , in response to Commander Sisko's request for raktajino, opined that it tasted "like drinking an oil slick." His first officer , Commander Joseph Shabalala added, "only without the tangy aftertaste," causing Sisko to burst out laughing. ( DS9 - The Brave and the Bold, Book One novella : The Second Artifact )

Admiral William Ross drank raktajino. ( ST - A Time to... novel : A Time for War, A Time for Peace )

Appendices [ ]

Connections [ ], references [ ].

• DS9 episode : " Dax "
• DS9 episode : " The Passenger "
• DS9 episode : " If Wishes Were Horses "
• DS9 episode : " The Homecoming "
• DS9 episode : " Second Sight "
• DS9 episode : " The Alternate "
• DS9 episode : " Equilibrium "
• DS9 episode : " Civil Defense "
• DS9 episode : " Family Business "
• DS9 episode : " Crossfire "
• DS9 episode : " Accession "
• DS9 episode : " Shattered Mirror "
• DS9 episode : " For the Cause "
• DS9 episode : " Nor the Battle to the Strong " (Season 5)
• DS9 episode : " The Assignment "
• DS9 episode : " Trials and Tribble-ations "
• DS9 episode : " Let He Who Is Without Sin... "
• DS9 episode : " A Simple Investigation "
• DS9 episode : " Children of Time "
• DS9 episode : " Blaze of Glory "
• DS9 episode : " A Time to Stand "
• DS9 episode : " Favor the Bold "
• DS9 episode : " Sacrifice of Angels "
• DS9 episode : " You Are Cordially Invited "
• DS9 episode : " Resurrection "
• DS9 episode : " Wrongs Darker Than Death or Night "
• DS9 episode : " Inquisition "
• DS9 episode : " Valiant "
• DS9 episode : " Shadows and Symbols "
• DS9 episode : " The Siege of AR-558 "
• DS9 episode : " Field of Fire "
• DS9 episode : " Tacking Into the Wind "
• DS9 novel : The Laertian Gamble
• DS9 novel : The 34th Rule
• DS9 novel : Hollow Men
• DS9 novel : The Mist
• DS9 novel : Plagues of Night
• DS9 novel : The Left Hand of Destiny, Book Two
• DS9 novel : Original Sin
• TOS novel : Unspoken Truth
• TNG novel : Diplomatic Implausibility
• VOY episode : " Meld "
• VOY novel : Seven of Nine
• VOY novel : The Eternal Tide
• VOY novel : Unworthy
• VOY novel : To Lose the Earth
• VOY - String Theory novel : Fusion
• NF novel : Dark Allies
• ST novel : The Art of the Impossible
• PIC novel : Firewall

External link [ ]

• Raktajino article at Memory Alpha , the wiki for canon Star Trek .
• 1 The Chase
• 2 Preserver (race)
• 3 Ferengi Rules of Acquisition

• More to Explore
• Series & Movies

Published Apr 2, 2024

The Final Frontier in Flavorful Coffee is Here

Pop Culture Coffee boldly launches new Star Trek coffee brand for fans and coffee connoisseurs alike!

StarTrek.com

Pop Culture Coffee , an innovative new company with unique collaborations with popular franchises, has announced the launch of its highly anticipated Star Trek branded coffees. This extraordinary collection, made under license from Paramount Consumer Products, aims to cater to coffee connoisseurs, Star Trek fans, and collectors alike, bringing together the love for the beloved franchise and the art of brewing the perfect cup of coffee. Customers can purchase the official Star Trek coffee in the U.S. directly from www.popculturecoffee.com , and the product will also be available soon at select specialty retailers and conventions nationwide.

The new Star Trek branded coffees by Pop Culture Coffee seek to celebrate the spirit of the legendary franchise by offering a flavorful array of carefully curated coffee blends inspired by the various aspects of the Star Trek universe. Each of the limited-run collectible coffee blends is adorned with stunning artwork featuring iconic Star Trek characters, cultures, and starships.

Pop Culture Coffee

Launching first will be CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — a smooth medium roast featuring The Original Series ' Captain James T. Kirk on the bag, as well as VULCAN VANILLA — a full-flavored Madagascar vanilla roast featuring Mr. Spock.

Following up will be a dark KLINGON RAKTAJINO brown sugar roast, featuring The Next Generation 's Worf. Not far behind, and to celebrate First Contact Day, will be the FEDERATION FRENCH ROAST featuring Captain Jean-Luc Picard and a light BORG BEANS roast highlighting the Borg Queen from Star Trek: First Contact on the bag. More coffee profiles will be released throughout the year.

But it's not just about the packaging — Pop Culture Coffee is committed to delivering an exceptional coffee experience. All of the company’s coffees are triple-picked by hand, ethically sourced from unique origins all over the world, 100% organic Arabica beans, and small-batch craft roasted to ensure a rich and flavorful cup of coffee with every brew. Beyond the cup, Pop Culture Coffee has an entire department dedicated to meticulously pairing natural flavors for explosive great-tasting flavor-fusions. The end result? Fans will have the opportunity to enhance their coffee-drinking experience while showcasing their love for Star Trek .

Pop Culture Coffee’s founder Ethan Terra shares his vision behind the creation of Pop Culture Coffee, "My lifelong passion for movies, pop culture, collectibles, and coffee led me to establish Pop Culture Coffee. We are driven by a singular purpose — to fuel people’s passions. Whether it’s art, movies, anime, music, gaming, sports, or celebrity icons, we all have something we’re enthusiastic about, and that enthusiasm should be championed. In a world where millions rely on coffee to kick start their day, we believe that coffee should be nothing short of extraordinary."

With its fusion of sci-fi fandom and coffee culture, Pop Culture Coffee is set TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO ONE HAS GONE BEFORE. Pop Culture Coffee invites coffee connoisseurs, fans, and collectors alike to embark on a journey of taste and imagination, bringing together two passions in a truly innovative and enjoyable way. So grab a mug, set your tastebuds to stunned, and indulge in the flavors of the Star Trek universe with every sip.

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• Food and Drink

• Klingon food and drink

Klingon Raktajino

• VisualEditor
• View history

Klingon Raktajino is a common consumable out-of-combat self heal.

Consuming a Klingon Raktajino will boost your Hit Points by 56% over a period of 3.5 seconds. Up to 20 can be stacked together.

Stats [ | ]

• Description: Strong Klingon coffee, served iced or steamed. Especially good when paired with jacarine peel or icoberry torte.
• Target: Self
• Activate: 1.25 sec
• # Charges: 1

Vendors [ | ]

External link [ | ].

• Raktajino at Memory Alpha , the Star Trek Wiki.

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Star Trek: Discovery Klingon Logo Black Mug

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What better way to show your support for the Klingon Empire than by sipping your coffee from this Star Trek: Discovery Klingon Logo Black Mug? With the vibrant Klingon logo on the front and back of the mug, this Klingon Black Mug shows your allegiance to the empire with each use.

• Sip your favorite beverage and represent your favorite show with this ceramic mug!
• Capacity: 11 oz or 15 oz
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Star Trek: Discovery Remain Klingon Black Mug

With an eye-catching design and an easy-grip handle, this Star Trek: Discovery Remain Klingon Black Mug is the perfect addition to any fan's coffee cart. Sip your coffee in style by bringing this Klingon Black Mug to your office or display it proudly in your kitchen.

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Star Trek Klingon Logo Black Mug

Whether you are a tea drinker or coffee enthusiast, this Star Trek Klingon Logo Black Mug lets you sip your favorite beverage while representing your favorite empire. Featuring the Klingon logo, this black mug makes a stellar addition to your office desk, kitchen, or coffee bar.

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A Complete History of Star Trek's Klingons in The Original Series Era

Quick links, the origin of the klingon empire in star trek, the klingon empire acquires warp drive and a new level of war, starfleet and the klingons engaged in hot and cold war, the klingons vs. captain james t. kirk and how he brought peace.

Star Trek has six decades of history behind the scenes, but the aliens and characters in the narrative go back millennia. Despite being created on a whim for Star Trek: The Original Series , the history of Klingons is one of the most fully realized in the universe. Even though much of it was defined after that first show, how the Klingon Empire took shape is important.

The Klingons were created by Gene L. Coon as a surrogate power for the Soviets to the Federation's United States of America. When the Cold War ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall, the final film with The Original Series ' cast was in production. It told the story of how the Federation made peace with its most iconic enemies. The Khitomer Accords mark a significant point of transition in what it meant to a Klingon. Even though antagonism continued into the 24th Century, the way the Empire (as created by Kahless the Unforgettable) found a way to accept the peace-loving Federation is a remarkable Star Trek story. It's made better with Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds adding new details to this part of the timeline.

The Planned Opening for Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country Was a Disaster

The Klingons shared genetic markers, found in Vulcans and Romulans that point to a single humanoid ancestor more than four billion years in the past. This progenitor race seeded planets with unknown technology that encouraged the evolution of creatures with a head, two arms and two legs. Klingons, however, could trace their origins back to large reptilian or insectoid predators with exoskeletons and redundant organs .

The Klingon homeworld Qo'noS was ruled by Malor in the 10th Century CE on Earth. A common warrior, Kahless led a revolution that became the founding myth for the Klingon Empire. Legends of his battles were shared among Klingons into the 24th Century. He eventually killed Malor in single combat and founded the Klingon Empire. Kahless became a god-like figure in the culture, inspiring wars and warriors for millennia . There were a number of ruling dynasties and civil wars, continuing once Klingons took to the stars.

Four hundred years after Kahless united Qo'noS, the Hur'q species from the Gamma Quadrant sacked their homeworld. This started a period of uncertainty about war as a way of life. During the Second Dynasty, General K'Trelan killed the Imperial Family, installing more democratically minded Klingons in power. They claimed to be members of the Imperial houses to gain the respect of those bloodlines, but eventually they returned to their warlike ways.

Star Trek: Discovery's Klingons Were More Accurate Than the TNG-Era

The Klingons acquired warp drive sometime in the Earth's 20th Century, and they turned their attention on the galaxy at large. While they still warred with each other, there were new planets to conquer and people to fight. Vulcans, who also were new to warp drive, encountered Klingons who opened fire on them. Until diplomatic relations were officially opened, Vulcans would fire first on any Klingon ship, eventually called "the Vulcan Hello." Klingons traveled the stars, warring and exploring, including sending a vessel into the Delta Quadrant.

In the 2150s, a Klingon crash-landed on Earth and was shot by a farmer. Dr. Phlox, a visiting alien, saved his life, and the NX-01 Enterprise was launched taking the Klingon back to Qo'noS. Captain Archer helped this Klingon maintain his honor and relations between humans and Klingons were off to an amiable start, but this didn't last. The NX-01 Enterprise helped refugees flee the Klingons by engaging them in battle. This led to Captain Archer being wanted as an enemy of the state. He was put on trial on Qo'noS and sentenced to the Rura Penthe colony. He escaped, leading to multiple hostile encounters with them throughout the Star Trek: Enterprise series.

In 2154, tyrannical, genetically augmented humans attacked the Klingon Empire, but the Enterprise was able to avert war. However, a Klingon scientist tried to use the augment DNA to create superior Klingon warriors . Instead, a deadly virus broke out, and Dr. Phlox was kidnapped to help cure it. He was successful, but the treatment led to the Klingons losing their distinctive cranial ridges. The Klingons then withdrew from Federation territory, until the Klingon-Federation war.

Why Uhura Speaks Klingon in Strange New Worlds, but Not Star Trek VI

The Klingons weren't seen in what would become Federation space for much of the late 22nd and early 23rd Centuries. They had again entered into a period of infighting and civil war, as any house sought to rule. When Starfleet did encounter the Klingons, there were open hostilities. There was a raid on a planet called Doctari Alpha and a battle at a planet called Donatu V. The Klingons resorted to spiritual studies, usually based on the Kahless myth, though a sect studied time travel at the Borleth Monastery .

In 2256, T'Kuvma, a unique-looking Klingon spiritual leader , united the great houses on the ancient Sarcophagus Ship. He provoked a war with the Federation at the Battle of the Binary Stars, dying at the hands of Michael Burnham. General Kol, who originated Klingons' use of cloaking technology, took control. The war raged for a year, with the Klingons nearly defeating the Federation . When General Kol was killed and the Sarcophagus Ship destroyed, things only got worse. Eventually, Section 31 developed a plan to destroy the Klingon Homeworld, but Michael Burnham prevented it from reaching fruition. Instead, she gave control of the hydrobombs to L'Rell.

A less war-hungry acolyte of T'Kuvma she was able to continue his mission of uniting the warring factions on Qo'noS. She even allied her fleet with the Federation to stop a rogue AI that threatened all life in the Alpha Quadrant. The Timekeepers at the Borleth Monastery also helped Starfleet solve the mystery of the "Red Angel," and helped Captain Christopher Pike fix the timeline after he tried to prevent his future debilitating accident. Time itself needed James Kirk and Spock to take the helm of the Enterprise. However, the tenuous peace wouldn't last for long.

What Made Worf a Better Klingon Warrior on Star Trek: The Next Generation?

A new war broke out between the Federation and the Klingons in 2257, but it was short-lived. When the USS Enterprise and General Kor's fleet arrived at Organia, the powerful beings that lived there forced them to negotiate an end to hostilities. The Treaty of Organia ended the war, but there were still clashes and battles throughout the sector. Klingons armed pre-warp species, as did Kirk and the Enterprise crew, albeit reluctantly. A Klingon who went by the name Arne Darvin was surgically altered to look human, and almost carried out a terrorist bombing on a starbase.

After a little more than a decade of relative peace, a rogue Klingon commander named Kruge took a Bird of Prey to the newly-created Genesis planet. There he destroyed the Starfleet science vessel studying it and killed David Marcus, the son of James Kirk. He defeated the Klingons, killing all but one of them, and stole the Bird of Prey. Another rogue Klingon Captain named Klaa tried to battle Kirk and the Enterprise, but Klingon Ambassador Korrd ordered Klaa to save him from the God of Sha Ka'Ree. With the destruction of the moon Praxis in 2293, the Klingon homeworld was threatened and peace finally had a real chance.

Chancellor Gorkon knew the Klingon Empire wouldn't survive unless it made peace and accepted help from the Federation. A conspiracy of Starfleet officers, Romulans and Klingons (including General Chang) assassinated Gorkon and framed Captain Kirk for it. He was sent to Rura Penthe, escaping with the help of Spock and the Enterprise. They arrived at the peace summit just in time to save the Federation president. Captain Kirk's heroics led to the signing of the Khitomer Accords and all-but the end to open hostility between the Klingons and the Federation . While not completely allies with the Federation, the Klingons and Starfleet were no longer at war.

The Star Trek universe encompasses multiple series, each offering a unique lens through which to experience the wonders and perils of space travel. Join Captain Kirk and his crew on the Original Series' voyages of discovery, encounter the utopian vision of the Federation in The Next Generation, or delve into the darker corners of galactic politics in Deep Space Nine. No matter your preference, there's a Star Trek adventure waiting to ignite your imagination.

Created by Gene Roddenberry

First Film Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Latest Film Star Trek: Nemesis

First TV Show Star Trek: The Original Series

Latest TV Show Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Cast Nichelle Nichols, Scott Bakula, Kate Mulgrew, Jonathan Frakes, Patrick Stewart, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Avery Brooks, Deforest Kelley, James Doohan

TV Show(s) Star Trek: Animated, Star trek, Star Trek Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek Lower Decks, Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Prodigy, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Star Trek: Lower Decks

What Is Star Trek: Discovery's Spore Drive and How Does It Work?

The spore drive on Star Trek: Discovery is the universe's most fantastical technology that works in the show but should never replace warp engines.

Quick Links

How does the spore drive work in star trek, why the uss discovery is the only starfleet ship with a spore drive, is the spore drive faster than warp speed, why star trek should probably stop using the spore drive.

With Season 5, Star Trek: Discovery embarks on the final mission for its dynamic crew and one-of-a-kind starship. There are many things about this series that diverged from past series or films in the universe created by Gene Roddenberry six decades ago. How the spore drive that powers the USS Discovery works is perhaps the most fanciful concept in Star Trek . When piloted by Ripper the "space tardigrade," Lieutenant Paul Stamets or Kewijan empath Cleveland Booker, this organic propulsion system is one of the most powerful technologies in all science fiction and fantasy.Despite the universe's reputation for somewhat grounded science-fiction, the displacement-activated spore hub drive is squarely in the realm of fantasy. This is not new territory for Star Trek , however.

Vulcan mind-melds, the concept of "subspace" and Star Trek's ubiquitous transporters are all, to varying degrees, magical nonsense. What helps sell these far-out technologies to skeptical audiences is the (lovingly named) technobabble that accompanies them. Vulcans use innate psychic abilities to connect to another consciousness like file-sharing over wifi. Transporters break people down into atoms and beam them to another physical location, where they are reassembled just as they were. Subspace allows communications to travel faster than speed of light, as well as any number of anomalies that create workarounds to the immutable laws of physics. USS Discovery's spore drive is equally able to break the laws of physics and travel on a "mycelial network" that exists outside of regular spacetime .

'Bittersweet and Shocking': Star Trek: Discovery Star Addresses the Series Getting Canceled

Former Star Trek: Voyager producer Bryan Fuller was tapped to bring the universe back to television, and he co-created the series with Alex Kurtzman. He left early in pre-production, but many of the concepts he introduced remained, such as the controversial Klingon redesign . The spore drive was one such concept, which drew from the research and philosophy of real-world mycologist Paul Stamets. This is why Anthony Rapp's character has that name, after all.

Next to engineering, the USS Discovery has a room where Lieutenant Stamets grows the spores needed to power the drive. He created it with his friend Straal, and Starfleet "co-opted" the technology once the Klingon-Federation War broke out. It was Straal who figured out the spore drive needed a pilot with compatible DNA to pilot the ship. He used a creature which Michael Burnham called a "tardigrade." Eventually, Stamets injected himself with tardigrade DNA which made him the only person capable of successfully using the spore drive. Later, Cleveland Booker was also able to serve as a navigator because of his natural empathic abilities.

Through their connection to the spores, the navigator is able to pilot the ship using invisible connections on a galactic mycelial network. In Star Trek: Discovery this network is represented much like the Quantum Realm in the Marvel Cinematic Universe . Like the Avengers, the ship is able to travel through this lower dimension and emerge in real space anywhere. However, the network the ship can travel on is limited to the Milky Way galaxy. Put another way, the spore drive allows the USS Discovery to teleport anywhere in the galaxy in an instant.

Star Trek: Discovery's Mary Wiseman, Wilson Cruz and Blu del Barrio Hype Finale

Despite existing a decade before the time of Star Trek: The Original Series , the USS Discovery was a bleeding-edge scientific vessel before the war. Once the USS Glenn and Straal were killed in their accident, Lieutenant Stamets became the only person in the universe to understand how the spore drive worked. While he sent his designs to Starfleet, none of their scientists could get it to work. Once the ship time-traveled to the 32nd Century, Starfleet was able to build a working prototype, but it was destroyed when it was stolen by Booker in Season 4 .

Even if Starfleet's scientists and engineers were able to replicate the machinery that made the spore drive function, they still lacked a crucial element: a navigator. Without the tardigrade or a compatible human, the spore drive could only safely travel a few hundred kilometers. Stamets can only serve as the navigator because of the tardigrade DNA he injected into himself. Since the creatures are sentient, difficult to catch and the Federation is against genetic modification, no one else can use his method. Booker's natural empathic abilities allowed him to serve as navigator, but his gifts are unique to Kwejian, which was destroyed in Season 4 .

In the first episode of Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 , Stamets is depressed because Starfleet has abandoned its efforts to recreate his technology. He wanted the spore drive to be his legacy. Instead, Starfleet and the Federation committed to a technology called the "pathway drive," an unknown method of faster-than-light travel that doesn't require dilithium crystals like warp engines. This means that the USS Discovery will be the only serviceable Starfleet vessel capable of traveling via the mycelial network, at least so long as Stamets or Booker are willing to serve as navigator.

How Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Connects to TNG's Biggest Open Mystery

While it's natural to compare the spore drive to Star Trek 's famous warp drive, the USS Discovery isn't traveling at speed when it jumps. In fact, it's closer to Star Wars ' hyperspace , a dimension that exists underneath spacetime. Yet, unlike the Millennium Falcon, the USS Discovery is able to enter and exist the mycelial network in mere seconds. Ships traveling through hyperspace still take time to get from one point to another. The USS Discovery's spore drive flies through the network far faster than warp drive, but it's a completely different method of travel .

Of all the sci-fi Star Trek inventions, warp drive is one of the more plausible ones. Einstein's Theory of General Relativity established that the speed of light is as fast as anything can go through space, but not how fast spacetime itself can go. Thus, while Starfleet vessels travel faster than light, they do it by slipping through a loophole in the laws of physics. Warp engines create a bubble that bends spacetime itself. The ships ride it like a wave and are able to go faster than Einstein's universal speed limit. However, with the spore drive, the USS Discovery is able to just pop out of reality and emerge at a different physical location in the galaxy.

While there are some actual scientific concepts behind both the spore and warp drives, the latter is far more sound . Physical travel via the mycelial network is as plausible as trying to use tree roots as a subway. Still, even though the math works for warp drive, there are countless other effects that would make traveling at those speeds unsurvivable. This is why bridge and engineering officers in Star Trek are always talking about "inertial dampers." Similarly, travel via the mycelial network is not without risk, specifically from "Hawking radiation." This theoretical energy somehow turned the crew of the USS Glenn inside out after a test jump in Season 1, Episode 3, "Context is for Kings."

Star Trek: Discovery Wasn't Originally Going to End With Season 5, Reveals EP

All science fiction requires some level of suspension of disbelief, and there are many technologies in Star Trek that are just as magical as the spore drive. Still, the concept was met with a lot of criticism from fans that goes beyond the typical reluctance to embrace new iterations of this universe. "Although physically implausible, warp drive isn't laughably ridiculous. The [spore] drive is, " scientist Steven Sazlberg wrote for Forbes . Of course, Star Trek is full of ridiculous concepts like Thomas Riker, Will Riker's "transporter clone. " The fantastical nature of the spore drive isn't why it should stay on the USS Discovery.

The USS Voyager-J was revealed to be the first ship set to test the new pathway drive, whatever it is. However, if the spore drive existed and worked in the 24th Century, the original USS Voyager could've used it to get back from the Delta Quadrant before Captain Janeway's coffee got cold . Everything about the USS Discovery was classified at the end of the show's second season, which explains why the spore drive was never even considered as a means to rescue the USS Voyager. They also lacked a compatible navigator. But more importantly, the spore drive would have made the seven seasons of Star Trek: Voyager unnecessary.

The spore drive is a fun conceit for Star Trek: Discovery , but in truth it is simply too powerful a technology. The purpose of Starfleet is, after all, to explore the unknown. If every vessel in every Star Trek universe had a spore drive, at least 500 of its 900 total episodes wouldn't have happened. That Stamets is the only person truly able to crack this technology also speaks to the unique nature of humanity. Even with all of Starfleet's brilliance, there is an irreplaceable human contribution to make its most magical technology work.

Star Trek: Discovery debuts new episodes Thursdays on Paramount+.

Star Trek: Discovery