Coffee is consumed daily, all over the world, on every continent and in every country. But have you ever stopped to consider your cup of coffee? What’s it all about and why do we drink it so much? We hope to enlighten you a little more on the world of coffee in this blog…
Here are 19 fun facts about coffee that might surprise you!
1. The origins of coffee
One of the best facts about coffee is its humble origins. The story goes that an Ethopian shepherd saw his goats eating ‘coffee cherries’ around 800 A.D. These cherry-like berries were actually the coffee beans themselves, and so the legend of the bean was created!
2. Coffee is a fruit
Yes! Coffee is actually a red fruit! The infamous grain is the just pit of the fruit from the coffee plant. So, if you see coffee growing in the wild, it’s looks just like any other red berry! Once the pit is removed it goes through the process of coffee roasting, drying and other processes before becoming your cup of coffee.
3. Everyone loves a coffee…
Coffee is the second most traded product in the world, following petroleum. Coffee drinkers span the whole world over. Drinking coffee happens at every second on every day, the world never sleeps!
4. …But the Nordics love coffee the most
However, the countries that drink the most coffee are the northern European countries such as Finland, Norway and Iceland! We think it’s probably because it’s so cold, that a cup of coffee is the only way to warm up. Regardless, they absolutely love the stuff.
5. Latte Art is more than just art
Latte Art isn’t merely decorative: if the drawing stays fixed in the milk, it means that the foam and coffee are perfectly made. It’s proof of the quality!
6. Size doesn’t matter
Cup size does not influence the quantity of caffeine you are drinking. A large coffee contains the exact same amount of coffee as an espresso, there’s just more water.
7. Italians do it better
The first ever espresso machine was actually created by a French man: Louis Bernard Rabaud. Italians only improved the machine and marketed it! Thank god for those southern Europeans!
8. It’s not you, it’s the coffee
In Turkey, there used to be a law stating that if a husband does not provide his wife with enough coffee, she can get a divorce! From the taste and look of those Turkish coffees, we can see why this used to be a legal stipulation. It’s delicious stuff!
9. The world’s most expensive cup
The world’s most expensive coffee is kopi luwak. If you thought a London latte was expensive at £5.50, this is nothing in comparison. A cup of kopi luwak will cost you between £35-£100.
But do you know what kopi luwak actually is? Get ready… It’s coffee beans that have been fermented in stomach of Asian palm civets and pooped out, ready for the cup. It’s this process that makes it’s availability (and therefore the price) so high. Ethical concerns are high with this coffee, so if you’re drinking, know how it’s being made!
10. Is decaf coffee really decaf?
Decaf coffee is not totally caffeine free. There’s still a little bit of caffeine present in the coffee, despite the name. However, it’s such a low amount that you body will barely react to it, so you’re safe to sleep another night!
11. The Brazilian bean reigns
Brazil are good at a few things. Football, street parties and beach volleyball. But they’re also number one for coffee production! Astonishingly, Brazil produces 61.7 million bags of coffee beans every year. That’s more than double the amount of Vietnam in second place! Bem feito brasil.
12. Let’s get ethical
Coffee lovers may not think too much about their morning cup of coffee but it’s time to take it seriously. ‘Speciality coffee‘ is a type of coffee, in which the whole production process is carefully monitored to provide an excellent coffee. The coffee beans go through all manner of processes and provide an A-grade service.
13. Brew-ti-ful flavours
Coffee experts have narrowed down coffee flavours to just two groups, fruit and caramelised flavours. Through coffee cupping and using a flavour wheel, the taster is able to figure out the notes of the coffee beans. Next time when you’re drinking a coffee, see if you can decipher its flavours.
14. Caffeine-free = happy brain
Let’s talk decaf coffee benefits. One of the bonuses of a caffeine-free coffee is the improved function of the brain. According to the scientists, decaffeinated coffee helps protect the neurons in the brain. As a consequence, neurodegenerative diseases are less likely.
15. How do you like your brew in the morning?
You might go for something like an Americano or perhaps a latte. But you’d be missing out on some great styles of coffee all over the world. Here are a few of our favourites: Turkish coffee, Kahawa Chungu, Irish coffee, Ca Phe Sua Da, Café Bombón and a Café aux Épices. Don’t settle for the standard!
16. Cheesy coffee: It’s a thing
Sticking with the theme of coffee styles from around the world, there’s even a coffee that comes with cheese! Harking from Finland, the Kaffeost is a coffee made with lumps of fresh cheese dropped into coffee. We can’t confirm how it tastes, so we’ll leave it up to your imaginations…
17. Styles of beans
There are just 2 types of coffee beans in the world, that are used for your takeaway coffees. These are Robusta coffee beans and Arabica coffee beans. Arabica coffee is consumed a lot more compared to Robusta, and is famous for its wavy line running down the bean. When you think of coffee beans, you’ll probably think of the Arabica.
18. More on coffee fruit…
As we mentioned, coffee comes from a fruit; little red berries to be exact that are called ‘coffee cherries’. They have a slightly sweet flavour, similar to that of a cranberry and are edible, but their flavour is never refined enough (ripened) because they’re used for their coffee bean. So, it’s unlikely you’ll see coffee cherries on your local Tesco shelves.
19. The coffee pot revolution
Women used to be banned from coffee houses during the 1700s, which sparked a new need within society… the coffee pot. Women wanted to enjoy coffee and so their only chance was at home. However, nothing had yet been created to facilitate this. Until the pot came along. Coffee drinking was henceforth changed forever!
We hope the next time you’re drinking coffee you’ll think about the long history and massive journey that cup has been on. Don’t take your bean for granted.
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