How old does a kid need to be before he can drink coffee?

I was 11 or 12 I think, but I only had it occasionally. I've become a regular since my mid 20s

I think I started drinking coffee around 12-13. There used to be this myth that it stunted your growth (or at least I think it's a myth).

We let my then 4th grader have 1 cup [usually only drank half of it and it was half creamer] when we school at home during the the covid school year 2020-2021.
We found it helped with ADHD.
My kids grades are excellent mostly As occasional Bs, all school work is intrinsic motivated to be done, we don't ever have to remind to do it.

Coffee can flush some of the minerals and water-soluble vitamins out of a person. I think that’s not a good thing for growing children. Maybe give them a taste but drinking it regularly is not good.

My parents would give me small sips starting at like age 7.
They officially started letting me drink coffee when I was like 11 or 12.

I was 10 or 11.
Mom said it was okay. I also drank alot of tea.
I see no harm in it.