Coffee is very important. Whether you have a single cup with breakfast or sip on it all day long, there’s no denying that coffee is an essential part of everyday life. People love it, people need it, and you’ll find a steaming mug of it whenever you visit Raff’s Cafe. As ubiquitous as coffee is, there are a lot of things you might not know about. So grab a cup, and let’s learn about coffee!
Here are ten fascinating facts about coffee!
- It’s super popular. It’s not an exaggeration to say coffee might be the most popular beverage in the world. Worldwide, people drink an estimated 2.25 billion cups every day.
- It comes from an Arabic word. We get the word “coffee” from the Arabic word qawah, which translates to “wine of the bean.” Pretty classy, if we do say so.
- Coffee beans aren’t actually beans. Even though we call them beans, coffee beans are actually the seeds of the fruit of the coffee plant, known as cherries.
- Two main species of coffee plants are used in commercial production. Those two varieties are arabica and robusta. Arabica beans have a smoother and more nuanced flavor, while robusta beans have a higher caffeine content.
- An Ethiopian goat discovered it. Okay, so the goat may be a legend, but coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia. The story goes that a goat herder noticed that his goats were more energetic after they ate certain plants. The herder decided to try it for himself and discovered coffee’s stimulating properties.
- The coffee industry provides millions of jobs. From farmers and pickers to roasters and baristas, the coffee industry employs millions of people worldwide.
If you’re a coffee lover, you’re contributing to an industry that keeps millions of people employed, from the farmers to the servers at your favorite cafe!
- The world’s most expensive coffee is a little icky. It’s called Kopi Luwak, and it’s made from coffee beans that have been eaten and excreted by the Asian palm civet, a mammal similar to a weasel or a mongoose. The beans are collected from the animal’s feces, washed, and then roasted. Kopi Luwak has a unique and strong flavor, but the ethical concerns surrounding its production have made it controversial. You won’t find this roast in your local cafe!
- It’s a big deal in Vienna. Vienna, Austria, has a long-standing coffee culture, and UNESCO recognizes its cafes and traditional coffee houses as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- Caffeine is a psychoactive substance. It’s a naturally occurring stimulant in coffee beans and the most widely consumed around the world.
- There are some health benefits from coffee consumption. When consumed in moderation, coffee can provide certain health benefits. These include a reduced risk of some diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and liver cancer.
