The Coffee Trader is strongly influenced by the religious overtones of its setting in 17th century Europe. Several of the main characters—Miguel, Daniel, Hannah and Alferonda—are of Portuguese Jewish descent, and while all experienced life during the Inquisition, they were each affected in unique ways. Miguel and Daniel’s family converted to Christianity (“Conversos”) as ordered by the Inquisitors under penalty of death. Daniel, like their father, embraced the new religion, but Miguel joined a group of “Secret Jews,” including the Alferonda family, which studied Jewish law in clandestine synagogues. Hannah’s family, also among the New Christians, embraced Christianity so fully that Hannah grew up unaware of her Jewish ancestry.

In Amsterdam, the Jews are free from the tyranny of the Inquisitors, but their lives are controlled by religion to varying degrees. Those who desire to be part of the Jewish community must abide by the (often arbitrary) law of the Ma’amad, the ruling council, and those who disobey its orders are excommunicated, a devastating punishment resulting in a complete lack of support system and self-identity. Fearing this possibility, many Jews refuse to question the Ma’amad’s authority.

Though Daniel is not a devout Jew by any means, muttering his way through his obligatory prayers, he aligns himself with Parido, a prominent member of the Ma’amad, to benefit from his power.