TEN INTERESTING COFFEE FACTS

1. THE HISTORY OF THE WORD "COFFEE"

The Arabic word "qahwah," which actually referred to a type of wine, was the first term for coffee.

The Ottoman Turks then used the term "kahve," which was followed by the Dutch word "koffie," which gave rise to the English name in 1582.

2. A GOAT HERDER FIRST FOUND COFFEE

It was said that a goat herder in Ethiopia discovered coffee after observing strange behavior in his goats in the 1500s.

He noticed that after they ate coffee cherries, they became extremely energetic and were unable to sleep at night. He shared his findings with local monks, who used the coffee beans to make their own drinks, and the rest, as they say, is history.

3. THERE IS COFFEE MADE FROM POO

We understand how that sounds, but bear with us!

Kopi Luwak, which originated in Indonesia, is one of the most sought-after coffees in the world. It's made with the help of the adorable palm civets, who eat the coffee cherries and then... pass the beans.

The unique fermentation process that occurs as the beans pass through the civet's digestive tract is said to provide a smooth finish and very distinct flavor to the final brew.

Not only is this one of the most unusual methods of making coffee, but Kopi Luwak is also one of the most expensive coffees available in the world today, costing up to £400 per kilogram.

4. COFFEE BEANS ARE NOT BEANS

A coffee bean, contrary to its name, is not a bean.

Rather, it is the pit (or seed) that is found inside the coffee cherry. The bean is extracted from the fruit as part of the harvesting process.

Because of their shape and size, they're now commonly referred to as a bean, but if the conditions are right, you could plant one and it could grow into a whole new coffee plant.

5. THE NETHERLANDS DRINK THE MOST COFFEE.

According to a 2020 study, the Netherlands has the highest per capita coffee consumption with a whopping 8.3 kilograms!

Finland came in second with 7.8, and Sweden came in third with 7.6. Despite our best efforts, the United Kingdom did not even make the top fifteen most coffee-addicted countries list!

6. WHY DO PEOPLE CONFUSE ESPRESSO AND EXPRESSO?

The correct pronunciation of "espresso" is an age-old debate that coffee lovers have been having for years! But, as it turns out, those who call it a "expresso" aren't entirely incorrect.

Espresso translates to "expressed" or "pressed out" in Italian. This is due to the fact that espressos are made by forcing very hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee beans. So, while the correct pronunciation is ES-presso, you can see where people are coming from.

7. THE WORLD'S LARGEST CUP OF COFFEE HAD A CAPACITY OF OVER 20,000 LITRES.

The largest cup of coffee ever made contained a whopping 22,739.14 litres and was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records on June 15, 2019.

The cup was created over a month by Alcalda Municipal de Chinchiná (Colombia) at Parque de Bolivar, Chinchiná, Caldas, Colombia, with fifty people working on the project.

8. COFFEE HAS BEEN TRIED TO BE BANNED

There were numerous groups around the world that attempted to ban our favorite beverage in its early years.

Typically, it was due to the stimulating effect of coffee or the particular crowd it drew. Coffee shops quickly became a meeting place for free thinkers. One such instance occurred in Mecca in 1511, when the governor feared coffee would unite his opponents.

9. COFFEE IS ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST CONSUMED DRINKS

This isn’t all that surprising, is it?

Coffee, along with water and tea, is one of the most popular drinks worldwide, with over 400 billion cups consumed each year.

Britain alone consumes approximately 2.8 kilos of coffee per person per year, with over £1 billion spent on coffee last year.

10. COFFEE HELPS YOU LIVE LONGER

This could be our favorite yet.

Coffee is one of the world's healthiest beverages due to its high antioxidant content.

Of course, if you add cream, sugar, or syrup to your coffee, this health factor may be impacted; however, when consumed as part of a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle, coffee can help people live longer, happier lives.