Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, enjoyed by millions of people every day. But beyond its rich aroma and energizing effect, coffee has a fascinating history and many surprising facts. Here are 10 amazing coffee facts that you probably didn’t know.
1. Coffee Was Discovered by Accident
Legend has it that coffee was discovered by an Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi in the 9th century. He noticed that his goats became unusually energetic after eating berries from a certain tree. Curious, he tried the berries himself and experienced the same effect. This discovery eventually led to the widespread cultivation of coffee.
2. Coffee Was Once Considered a Sin
In the 16th century, coffee was banned in Mecca because religious leaders believed it stimulated radical thinking. Later, in 17th-century Europe, some Catholic leaders even called coffee the “devil’s drink.” However, after Pope Clement VIII tried it, he declared it delicious and approved its consumption.
3. Coffee Can Improve Your Brain Function
Caffeine, the main ingredient in coffee, is a natural stimulant that blocks adenosine, a neurotransmitter that makes you feel sleepy. This leads to increased alertness, memory, and cognitive performance. Studies suggest that coffee drinkers may have a lower risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
4. Finland Consumes the Most Coffee in the World
While many people assume that the USA or Brazil consumes the most coffee, it’s actually Finland! On average, a Finnish person drinks 12 kg (26 lbs) of coffee per year, more than any other country.
5. Coffee Beans Are Actually Seeds
Coffee “beans” aren’t beans at all—they are actually the seeds of the coffee cherry, a fruit that grows on coffee plants. After being harvested, these seeds are processed and roasted to become the coffee we drink.
6. There Is a Coffee That Costs Over $500 per Pound
One of the most expensive coffees in the world is Kopi Luwak, also known as civet coffee. This rare coffee is made from beans that have been eaten, digested, and excreted by civet cats. The fermentation process in the animal’s digestive system supposedly enhances the coffee’s flavor. Due to its rarity, it can cost over $500 per pound!
7. The First Webcam Was Created for Coffee
The world’s first webcam was invented at the University of Cambridge in 1991. The purpose? To monitor the coffee pot in the computer science department, so people could check if there was coffee available before walking to the machine.
8. Coffee Can Keep You Awake for Hours
Caffeine has a half-life of about 5–6 hours, meaning that after drinking coffee, half of the caffeine is still in your system after this time. This explains why drinking coffee late at night can cause insomnia for some people.
9. Espresso Does Not Have the Most Caffeine
Many people believe that espresso has the highest caffeine content, but a standard 8-ounce (240ml) cup of coffee contains more caffeine than a single shot of espresso. However, because espresso is more concentrated, it has more caffeine per ounce.
10. Decaf Coffee Still Contains Caffeine
Decaffeinated coffee is not 100% caffeine-free. A typical cup of decaf coffee contains around 2–5 mg of caffeine, compared to a regular cup that has about 95 mg. While this is much lower, it’s still enough to give a small energy boost.