You might be an avid coffee drinker to keep up with your daily demands as a busy mom. But how much do you really know about your favorite morning drink?
Read on to discover some fascinating facts about the brew that you never knew.
1. There Were Many Attempts To Ban Coffee
When it was fairly new, there were attempts by different groups to ban it. It started when coffee houses became center spots for free thinkers, piquing government interest. In 1511, the governor of Mecca was afraid that the drink was uniting the opposition. So they outlawed it.
A clergyman in the 16th century tried to ban the substance, believing it was satanic. However, thanks to Pope Clement VII’s love for the brew, you are now free to enjoy the brands we all know and love today, like Folgers, Starbucks, and Kona Coffee. He even coffee baptized in 1600.
2. Coffee Dates Back To 800 A.D
According to legend, coffee dates back to the 9th century. Reportedly, goat herders noticed its effect on goats. The animals appeared to dance after consuming the fruits of the Coffee plant.
But a monk took a step further in exploring by making a drink out of the plant. It kept him awake at night, and that’s how coffee history began.
3. Coffee Beans Are Actually Seeds
Those brown beans you see in a coffee grinder? They’re seeds found inside the plant’s cherry. The bean is already removed from the fruit in the harvesting process. They are referred to as beans because of their shape and size, but they grow into new plants if you plant them in the right conditions.
4. The Netherlands Consumes The Most
According to research done in 2020, the Dutch consume the most coffee in the world. An average chap here takes as many as 4 cups a day. The Netherlands accounts for about 8.3 kg of coffee per capita.
Finland comes in second with 7.8, and Sweden closely follows at 7.6 kg.
5. It’s Among The Most Consumed Beverages Worldwide,
It’s not surprising, but Coffee is one of the most popular drinks worldwide: 400 billion cups are being consumed annually. It’s right up there with tea and water. In this article about international coffee day, it also mentions that the average American coffee drinker consumes 2.7 cups of coffee per day.
6. There’s a Car That Runs On Coffee
Yes, it’s true; a 1988 Volkswagen Scirocco was made to run on leftover coffee grounds. The car dubbed “Car-Puccino” was created for the British TV show Bang Goes the Theory. Apparently, the car drove from London to Manchester, running on the drink.
7. You Can Pay $600 A Pound For a Cup
The Kopi Luwak, a type of brew, costs an arm and a leg. But that’s the least interesting part about it. You might be shocked to learn that the brew comes from beans previously digested by civet cats. Hence, its colloquial name is “cat poop coffee.”
Needless to say, this beverage has led to its criticism by animal welfare groups.
8. Brazil Has the Largest Supply
A third of the world’s supply comes from Brazil. Vietnam comes in second place, which produces half as much as Brazil.
9. Espresso And Expresso May Mean The Same Thing After All
Don’t get it wrong; the correct word is ‘espresso.” But, as it turns out, the word expresso is not entirely wrong.
In Italian, espresso means ‘pressed out’ because the brew is made by forcing hot water at high pressure through fine-grained beans.
The name expresso is derived from “expressed,” which represents exactly how espresso is made.
10. Drink And Live Longer
The drink comes packed with antioxidants that help protect you from chronic diseases, including cancer and heart disease. But that comes under the condition that you don’t add sugar and cream, as they can impact this health factor.
Conclusion
There’s no denying that coffee is a fascinating plant – it changed the entire world and created several interesting products, laws, and business ventures.
While there are many unique facts and stories about coffee, these are our favorites. Which one surprised you the most?
