Coffee is my lifeblood in the morning, and I prefer to not start my day without it. Here are a few interesting facts about coffee I found.
1. Second in the World
It’s the world’s 2nd largest traded commodity. Crude oil is first. Yes, it is not a typo. Coffee is consumed in great quantities, making it the most beloved beverage after water. It’s worth is over $100 billion worldwide.
2. Hawaii is the only American state that grows coffee
Good coffee growing conditions require high altitudes, tropical climates, and rich soil.
There is only one state, Hawaii, which is able to grow coffee. It has been producing coffee even before it was a state. (Only recently, though, farms in California started growing coffee bushes!)
3. Drinking coffee was once punishable by death !
During the 17th century Ottoman Empire, it was believed that coffee contained mind-altering effects. The ruler of this period believed it to be a type of narcotic and banned it from public consumption.
4. Coffee helped Olympic athletes
Brazil couldn’t afford to send its athletes to Los Angeles for the 1932 Olympics, so the government loaded them in a ship full of coffee which was sold on the way to finance their trip.
5. Mecca banned coffee
Coffee was banned in Mecca in 1511. It was believed to stimulate radical thinking and idleness.
6. Add cream, keep your coffee warm
Coffee stays warm 20% longer when you add cream.
7. Divorce because of lack of coffee
In 16th century Constantinople, not providing your wife with enough coffee was grounds for divorce
source
8. Italian “expresso”
The word espresso comes from Italian and means “expressed” or “forced out”. Espresso is made by forcing very hot water under high pressure through finely ground, compacted coffee.
9. Coffee is a fruit
Coffee beans grow on a bush. They are actually the pit of a berry, which makes them a fruit. There are two main varieties of beans, green and red.
Red beans have a nicer smell and are less acidic. Red beans are used to produce lighter coffees. The longer that coffee beans have been roasted – the healthier they are. Decaffeinated coffee comes from a chemical process where the caffeine is taken out of the beans. The caffeine is then often sold to Coca-Cola.
10. Beethoven loved coffee
Beethoven was such an ardent coffee lover that he’d count 60 beans per cup before making his brew.
Check out the full list of fun and interesting facts here!
http://www.deathbycoffee.net/ourjourneycoffeeblog/deathbycoffeeroasteryblog
