6 Facts about Coffee

Did you know that the most expensive coffee in the world costs approximately $600 a pound? You might think that is a ridiculous amount but is it really? Coffee is a cup of liquid gold that most people cannot start their day without. In fact, a large population has so much coffee during the day that they are termed “coffee addicts.” of course, we all might be a little guilty as well.

Drinking coffee (in moderation) can be great for your health. Your morning coffee does more than wake you up; it can actually help you live longer! Coffee is known to reduce the likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes, liver diseases, and heart failure.

You might be the biggest fan of coffee, but we bet there’s a lot that you don’t know about the world’s most popular caffeinated beverage.

Facts about Coffee

1. Coffee Existed Back in 800 A.D.

You might think that coffee has only been around for a couple of decades, but legend has it that in the 16th century, a goat herder discovered the coffee plant after his goats ate some of the fruit that contained coffee seeds.

The goats started acting crazy and stayed up all night. They showed such high amounts of energy that everyone became concerned. When the coffee seeds were dropped into the fire, the locals were attracted to the strong scents of what we now know as freshly brewed coffee. It wasn’t long before the locals used the beans to make a caffeinated drink and found that this was an energy potion that kept them awake all night.

2. Coffee is the Second Largest Traded Commodity in the World

We all know that our neighbors from across the globe love coffee, but could you have ever imagined it becoming the second biggest traded commodity in the world? After crude oil, the demand for coffee is the highest. In fact, coffee is more loved and consumed than water- the liquid that keeps our bodies functioning!

Estimates also show that coffee is worth more than $100 billion all over the world. This extravagant number shows how much we love coffee.

3. Coffee is only Grown in Hawaii Out of All the Countries in the United States

Even though coffee is largely available in most parts of the world today, it only grows in very specific conditions. The coffee plant needs rich soil, a tropical climate, and high altitudes to thrive.

The United States has a large variety of diverse and rich landscapes, but Hawaii is the only area that can successfully grow the coffee plant as it ticks all the right boxes of conditions. Hawaii started growing and producing coffee for export even before it became a state.

It is only recently that reports have shown that farms in California are experimenting with growing coffee shrubs in different areas.

4. Coffee was Banned in Mecca

In 1511, Mecca banned coffee. The decision was made by the emperor of the time, who believed that the beverage was responsible for increasing critical thinking skills in the locals. He was worried that coffee would cause his people to overthrow him because of their newly sought radical thinking skills.

Hence, he decided to ban the consumption of coffee as soon as it first appeared in Ethiopia. Fortunately, this decision was overturned a couple of years later.

This leader in Mecca was not the only one who banned coffee back in the day! In fact, in the 16th century, an Italian clergyman believed that the beverage was satanic.

Alternatively, Pope Clement VII loved coffee so much that in the 1600s, he lifted the ban on coffee and had it baptized.

5. The Most Expensive Coffee in the World Costs $600 Per Pound

We know we mentioned this at the start of the article but let us explain more about the world’s most expensive coffee to exist to date. This coffee is known as Kopi Luwak and is made using the feces of an Asian palm civet. To break it down, the world’s priciest coffee is made with cat poop.

The cat consumes coffee cherries, digests them, and then poops them out. These pooped coffee beans are cleaned and then sent to a processing plant. Coffee made with these beans can cost anywhere between $35 to $100 per cup, amounting to $100 to $600 per pound. You might not be super excited to try this coffee, but it is definitely popular in some parts of the world.

6. Coffee Helps You Live Longer

Did you know that coffee is not bad for you? In fact, if consumed in moderate amounts, coffee can help you live longer.

Coffee contains antioxidants and other minerals that are great for human health. These control the likelihood of individuals developing type II diabetes, liver illnesses, as well as heart disease. Coffee can also be used during weight loss as it helps decrease appetite.

However, what you put in your coffee can change how healthy it is. In the 21st century, people have started making their coffees with syrups, sugar, and cream. If you consume five cups of coffee a day, with sugar and cream in each cup, you could develop diabetes by the time you reach your 40s. Hence, even though coffee helps you live longer, it must be made in a healthy way.

Final Thoughts

Coffee has a rich history. It is one of the things that has united companies across the world as they produce and trade coffee, sharing tricks and tips that constantly upgrade the taste of the caffeinated drink.

Coffee culture has evolved thoroughly in the past few years as coffee drinkers find newer ways to drink their coffee. Coffee has also become one of the most traded commodities across the world as the demand for it continues to rise every single day.