Coffee is not just a drink. It is actually a lot more. Coffee is culture. In the past, people gathered in houses to share a cup of coffee and exchange information. Here, we present Interesting facts about coffee as a commodity and a beverage.
Coffee was first introduced in the 15th century, and to this day it maintains its status as one of the most popular beverages, with millions of coffee drinkers worldwide.
The black brew is made from ripe berries which are picked from the coffee plant, processed and dried. Once dry, these 'beans' are roasted and ground to be brewed into the coffee drink we all know and love. Over the centuries, coffee has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry and become part of our lifestyle and even cultural phenomena
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Coffee is not just a drink. It is actually a lot more. In the past, people gathered in houses to share a cup of coffee and exchange information.
In North America and a lot of western European countries, Starbucks and other coffee chains have dominated the market because they are providing to the customers a complete experience around coffee. Coffee and friends, coffee and work, coffee and snacks and coffee to go!
The Irish mix coffee with whiskey and they call it “Irish coffee”. In Italy the espresso and espresso machine were born and made it the favorite whole-day beverage of Italians. In Greece, there is the “kafenio”, an old fashioned coffee shop for old gentlemen, where they drink Greek coffee and exchange political ideas or they play cards and a board game called “tavli”. Then also, in some countries, like Colombia or Brazil, the whole economy is based in coffee.
How many coffee facts do you know about your beloved beverage? Check out the list below to learn more and share what you learned or which fun facts you knew already in the comments!
1. The drink dates back to 800 A.D.
Legend has it that 9th-century goat herders noticed the effect caffeine had on their goats, who appeared to "dance" after eating the fruit of the Coffea plant. A local monk then made a drink with the produce and found that it kept him awake at night, thus the original cup of coffee was born.
2. It’s the world’s 2nd largest traded commodity.
Crude oil is first. Yes, it is not a typo. Coffee is consumed in great quantities, making it the most beloved beverage after water. It’s worth is over $100 billion worldwide.
3. Origin of the world coffee
The word 'coffee' comes from the Arabic word 'qahwah' which refers to a type of wine.
4. Coffee beans are technically seeds.
They're the pits of the cherry-like berries found on the flowering shrubs, but we call them "beans" because of the resemblance to legumes.
5. You can eat coffee cherries as a food.
Early on, people mixed coffee berries with fat to create an energy-rich snack ball, according to Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).
6. There are two main types: Arabica and Robusta.
Growers predominantly plant the Arabica species. Although less popular, Robusta tastes slightly more bitter and contains more caffeine.
7. Brazil grows the most coffee in the world.
Today, Brazil produces about third of the world's supply, according to the International Coffee Organization, about twice as much as the second place holder, Vietnam.
8. Only two U.S. states produce coffee.
Kona coffee is the United States' gift to the coffee world. Because coffee traditionally grows best in climates along the equator, Hawaii's weather is optimal for harvesting beans. California also recently got into the coffee game with dozens of farms now churning out pricey premium bags.
9. Espresso means "pressed out" in Italian.
This refers to the way espresso is made — forcing boiling water through pressed coffee grounds. And although espresso has more caffeine per volume than coffee, it would take three shots to equal the amount in a regular cup of joe.
10. Finland is home to the biggest coffee lovers.
The average adult Finn goes through 27.5 pounds of coffee each year, according to the International Coffee Organization. Compare that to a measly 11 pounds per American.
11. Before coffee became widely available, the popular breakfast drink was beer.
12. Coffee drinkers tend to live longer.
Research has linking moderate consumption (about three to four cups per day) with a longer life span, plus a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and Parkinson's, according to Harvard Health Publishing.
13. The Boston Tea Party helped popularize coffee in America.
In the lead up to the Revolutionary War, it became patriotic to sip coffee in lieu of tea, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) reveals. The Civil War also made the drink more pervasive because it helped energize tired troops.
14. One cup of black coffee only has one calorie.
Adding sweeteners, cream, and other mix-ins can quickly jack up the total. A venti Java Chip Frappuccino from Starbucks contains 88 grams of sugar and 600 calories — more than a McDonald's Big Mac!
References
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Jacqueline Cameron is a writer with decades of writing experience running the gamut from blogging to reporting. She lives in Kingston, Jamaica and is the chief writer for the Jamaica So Nice Blog. She is a trained engineer and musician and loves to see people transformed through her work.
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