10 facts about coffee that will surprise you
It won’t come as a surprise that as a vending machine supplier UKVending loves , but we’ve discovered some facts that may surprise you about what our machines deliver with excellence: coffee
1. Coffee Was Discovered by Goats
Legend has it that coffee was first discovered by an Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi. He noticed his goats became unusually energetic after eating red berries from a certain plant—leading to the discovery of coffee beans.
2. Coffee Beans Are Actually Seeds
What we call coffee beans are actually the seeds of the coffee cherry, a fruit that grows on coffee trees. They are only called “beans” because of their resemblance to legumes.
3. The World’s Most Expensive Coffee Comes from Animal Droppings
Kopi Luwak, also known as civet coffee, is made from beans that have been eaten, partially digested, and excreted by civet cats. The fermentation process inside the animal’s digestive system gives the coffee a unique flavor. It can cost up to $600 per pound!
4. Brazil is the Largest Coffee Producer
Brazil has been the world’s largest coffee producer for over 150 years. It produces about one-third of the world’s coffee supply.
5. Decaf Coffee Still Has Caffeine
Even though decaf coffee has much less caffeine than regular coffee, it’s not completely caffeine-free. A typical cup of decaf contains about 2-5 mg of caffeine compared to around 95 mg in a regular cup.
6. Coffee is the Second Most Traded Commodity
After crude oil, coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world. Its global consumption is massive, making it a key player in international trade.
7. Espresso Means “Pressed Out” in Italian
The word “espresso” comes from the Italian term meaning “pressed out,” referring to the process of forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee under high pressure.
8. Instant Coffee is Over 250 Years Old
Instant coffee was first invented in Britain in 1771. However, modern instant coffee as we know it today was created in 1901 by a Japanese scientist named Satori Kato.
9. The First Webcam Was Invented for Coffee
The first-ever webcam was created at the University of Cambridge to monitor a coffee pot, so scientists wouldn’t waste a trip to an empty pot!
10. Drinking Coffee Can Extend Your Life
Studies suggest that regular coffee consumption is linked to a lower risk of several diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and even some types of cancer.