Coffee is more than just a drink – it’s a cultural icon, a daily ritual, and an essential part of many people’s lives. Whether you’re a devoted coffee connoisseur or enjoy a cup to start your day, there’s no denying the fascinating and quirky facts surrounding this beloved beverage. From its origins in Ethiopia to the modern-day coffee culture, countless fun facts about coffee will surprise and entertain you.
Here we’ll explore some of the most interesting and unusual facts about coffee, from the world’s most expensive cup of coffee to the surprising health benefits of this popular drink. So please sit back, grab a cup of your favorite brew, and let’s dive into the fascinating world of fun facts about coffee.
Fun Facts About Coffee
- With a global market worth over $100 billion, coffee is the second-largest traded good and the second-most popular beverage behind water.
- High altitudes, tropical temperatures, and fertile soil are necessary for good coffee-producing conditions. Only one American state, Hawaii, grows coffee.
- People in the Ottoman Empire during the 17th century thought coffee possessed hallucinogenic properties. Therefore the government outlawed its use in public. Violations carried a death sentence.
- To fund the 1932 Olympic trip to Los Angeles, Brazil sold coffee on a ship carrying its athletes.
- Officials in Mecca outlawed coffee in 1511 because they believed it encouraged radical thought and sloth.
- Adding cream to coffee can keep it warm for 20% longer.
- In the 16th century Constantinople, not providing enough coffee to one’s wife was grounds for divorce.
- The Italian word for “expressed” or “forced out,” gives birth to the term “espresso,” which involves forcing hot water under high pressure through compacted coffee.
- Coffee beans are the pits of a berry, making them a fruit. Red beans produce lighter coffees that are less acidic and have a nicer smell. Decaffeinated coffee comes from a chemical process that removes caffeine from the beans.
- Beethoven counted 60 beans per cup of coffee before making his brew due to his love for the beverage.
Image Source: Instagram @thecurvd
Other Fun Facts About Coffee
- “Cat poop coffee,” or kopi luwak, is the most expensive coffee in the world. Ranging in price from $35 to $100 per cup.
- Brazil is the leading coffee exporting country, while Finland consumes the most coffee per capita. Europe imports more coffee than the United States.
- Creme Puff, the oldest recorded cat who lived to be 38 years old, drank coffee every morning.
- Despite caffeine’s mild diuretic effects, coffee and caffeinated tea do not dehydrate the body.
- Coffee beans are named “beans” because they resemble beans, but they are actually berries.
- Before coffee became popular in the United States, cider and beer were the breakfast drinks of choice, even for children.
- A goat herder in Ethiopia discovered coffee in the 1500s by noticing the energizing effects of coffee cherries on his goats, according to legend. Local monks then made a drink with coffee beans and discovered they could stay up all night to pray.
- The color of a cappuccino resembles the Capuchin robe, which is why it’s called that. Additionally, the Italian word for the distinctive hood worn by Capuchin friars, cappuccio, is the origin of the Italian name for the order.
READ ALSO: Pizza Fun Facts | Uncovering The Secrets Of The Perfect Slice
Interesting Facts
- Scientists are exploring the use of waste-ground coffee oil as biodiesel for vehicles.
- Researchers have linked regular coffee consumption to a reduced risk of illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s.
- Coffee is classified into two types: Robusta and Arabica. Robusta exhibits a higher level of caffeine and a more acidic and harsh flavor. While Arabica is famous for its delicate flavor and lower acidity.
- The world consumes approximately 2.25 billion cups of coffee per day.
- Research suggests that drinking coffee lowers the risk of depression.
- An estimate suggests that consuming approximately 80 to 100 cups of coffee would be required for an average adult to reach a lethal dose.
- On June 15, 2019, Alcaldía Municipal de Chinchiná in Colombia made the largest cup of coffee on record, measuring 22,739.14 liters.
- Consuming coffee after exercise has been shown to help reduce post-workout muscle pain by up to 48%.
Image Source: Instagram @guinnessworldrecords
Facts About Coffee You Didn’t Know
- Did you know that coffee is a fruit?
- Bees are attracted to the scent of coffee flowers.
- People consume coffee in religious ceremonies, reflecting its rich history.
- Hawaii is not the only state that produces coffee in the United States.
- Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to drink coffee in the morning to get its benefits.
- Visiting coffee shops can boost your creativity.
- Astronauts can drink coffee in space!