There’s one thing we know about coffee: we can’t go a day without it, and it is a continual life-saver along with a mouthwatering beverage option. But there’s some surprising facts behind coffee that aren’t so well known, and will make you raise an eyebrow.
Coffee is the second most traded commodity on earth, after oil. Over 25 million farmers in 50 countries trade this delicious smelling beans.
Coffee was discovered in 800 AD in Ethiopia by Shepherds. Apparently 9th century goatherders noticed that caffeine gave their goats energy and they “danced” after eating coffee berries. Then a local monk made a cup after finding it kept him awake too – hence coffee was born.
The world’s most expensive coffee costs a staggering $600 a pound. It’s made from the feces of a Sumatran wildcat. The wildcat or Luwak is unable to digest the beans, so it is instead fermented in the stomach. Apparently when excreted it takes on a smooth and chocolate-inspired essence. Gross but fascinating!
Coffee was the first food substance to be freeze dried. Freeze drying involves fresh foods being places in -40 Fahrenheit dryer.
The word ‘espresso’ is Italian. We all knew that. But what it actually translates to “when something is forced out” referring to the force of boiling water going through pressed coffee grounds.
We all need our cup of morning joe, but some places consume more than others. People from New York City drink almost 7 times as much as the rest of the United States, and Finland is close behind, with the average consumer drinking 4-5 cups a day.
Although millions of different places produce coffee beans, there are only two types of beans. Arabica and robusta beans exist; 70% of beans are Arabica. Robusta is more rare because of its bitter nature and the fact that it produces double the caffeine.
Drinking coffee lowers your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Older patients with high levels of caffeine in the blood were found more likely to avoid Alzheimer’s. It can also act as a preventive measure against Parkinson’s, and type 2 diabetes.
Simply the smell of coffee can wake you up. Just that delectable aroma can alter the activity of genes in the brain and lower the effects of sleep deprivation. Time to invest in a coffee scented candle.
Post origin: naima karp