Many people need a cup of coffee to start the day. It is refreshing and a great way to improve your energy levels. Even though coffee is a popular beverage, there are lots of facts about it that you may not know. Here are six interesting facts about coffee that you did not know.
1. It Is Cultural Drink
Coffee is not just a drink. It has a lot of cultural significance. In the past, it was used for social interactions. The people in Western European and North America countries would come together just to share some information over a cup of coffee. Today, family and friends still meet in popular coffee shops to catch up.
After the invention of the espresso machine, espresso became Italy’s favorite beverage. Greek gentlemen enjoyed the ‘kafeino’ especially when talking about sports and politics. Other countries where coffee has cultural value include Brazil and Colombia.
2. Finland Is the Biggest Coffee Consumer
Finland is the biggest coffee consumer in the world. It consumes 12 kg per capita every year. Other countries that consume a lot of coffee include Iceland, Norway, and Brazil.
The United States is also a big consumer of coffee. It has plenty of big coffee chains and Americans today consume more coffee than ever. According to the team at pageonecoffee.com, over half of all Americans claim to consume coffee every day. More than 80 percent drink coffee regularly but not every day.
New Yorkers drink about seven times the amount of coffee that other US cities drink.
3. An Ethiopian Goat Herder Discovered It
Did you know that coffee was discovered by an Ethiopian goat herder? While herding, he realized that his goats’ behavior changed after they ate coffee berries. They would appear to be more energetic, and they lacked sleep at night. Of course, they were reacting to the high caffeine levels in coffee. The natural stimulant also acts as a natural pesticide. It protects the fruit from insect infestation.
He spoke about his observation with the local monks, and they tried making drinks from the coffee beans. The monks realized that coffee improved their mental alertness and helped them stay up late when praying. Word about the magic drink quickly spread across Ethiopia and other parts of the world.
At first, coffee was not consumed as a drink. There were a few preparation options and the basic one was eating it like a fruit. It is a cherry-like fruit that gets red after ripening. Some people mixed it with animal fat to create a protein-rich snack.
4. It May be Good for Your Health
Even though previous studies suggested that coffee may have a dark side, it may also be good for your health. It may protect you from Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, stroke, and liver cancer. Coffee is rich in nutrients and antioxidants like potassium and riboflavin. According to a Harvard study, women who drink at least four cups of coffee per day have a 20 percent lower risk of suffering from depression. Apart from preventing diseases, coffee also improves your mood and boosts your energy levels.
However, it is important to note that excessive consumption of coffee may be bad for you. It may increase your blood pressure temporarily. Coffee may be bad for expectant and breastfeeding mothers.
5. Small Farmers Produce Over Half of All Coffee
Smallholder farmers produce about 80 percent of all the coffee in the world. Even though countries like Vietnam and Brazil have established efficient and highly mechanized systems of coffee production, they do not produce as much as small farmers. About 25 million small farmers are dedicated to the production of coffee. They complete tasks like harvesting and drying by hand.
6. Many People Have Tried to Ban It
Since coffee was invented, lots of people have tried to ban it. In 1511, Mecca leaders outlawed it as they thought it triggered radical thinking. In the 16th century, clergymen in Italy considered coffee a ‘satanic’ drink and tried to ban it. Pope Clement VII, however, enjoyed coffee so he lifted the ban. In the 18th century, coffee and coffee paraphernalia were made illegal by the Swedish government. Coffee was associated with rebellion.
Coffee is one of the biggest exports in the world. It is one of the most valuable legally-traded commodities in the world, only second to oil. The beverage is loved by people from all parts of the world. On average, 2.25 billion cups are consumed daily in all parts of the world.
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