A strong coffee! Lifesaver when it comes to working continuously, dealing with stress, or starting the day with a caffeine kick!
Here are ten surprising facts about coffee that you might not have heard of—these will definitely surprise you.
Oh, come on, grab a cup of coffee, and start reading!
Goats discovered coffee
Yup, read that again! It wasn’t humans who discovered coffee, but goats! Back in 800 AD, a goat herder named Kaldi noticed that after eating beans from a coffee plant, his goats began displaying unusual yet energetic behavior—literally “dancing.”
Curious about what was causing this, Kaldi decided to try the beans himself, and guess what? He experienced a sudden burst of energy too! This amusing tale of the dancing goat and the herder is believed to mark the beginning of coffee’s incredible journey.
Fast forward to today, and Ethiopia remains one of the world’s largest coffee exporters, continuing to share its legendary coffee with the world!
Coffee Was Grounds for Divorce
Believe it or not, in the 16th century, coffee could literally be grounds for divorce! Imagine loving coffee so much that it’s written into your marriage!
Hundreds of years back, in the 16th century, it was considered so essential that women had the legal right to divorce their husbands if they failed to provide enough coffee.
Why was coffee such a big deal? It wasn’t just about the drink itself. Coffee houses were the hub of social life, where people gathered to discuss politics, share stories, and enjoy music. Coffee symbolized hospitality, comfort, and even wealth. Running out of coffee was like forgetting a major anniversary—it was serious business!
So, if a husband neglected to keep the coffee supply flowing, it wasn’t just an oversight, it was grounds (pun intended) for ending the marriage. This law may sound extreme today, but it shows how much people value coffee, even to the point of shaping relationships!
Next time you sip your cup, just imagine—if coffee had that much power centuries ago, it’s no wonder we’re still obsessed with it today!
Coffee Was Originally Eaten as Food
Yes, coffee wasn’t always the steaming cup of goodness we know today! Before anyone thought of brewing it, coffee started its journey as a food. Let’s go back to ancient Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee.
The story begins with coffee cherries, the bright red fruit that surrounds the coffee bean. Instead of roasting and grinding the beans, Ethiopians had a different idea. They mashed the cherries together with animal fat to create dense, energy-packed snacks. Think of them as the original energy bars!
These coffee-fat balls were carried by travelers and workers who needed a boost to stay energized during long journeys or physically demanding tasks.
Why this unusual snack? The coffee cherries are naturally caffeinated, so they provided a quick burst of energy, while the fat helped sustain that energy over time. It was the perfect combination for survival and productivity.
Coffee Was Banned in Several Countries
Coffee has faced bans throughout history in various countries. One of the most famous occurred in Mecca in the 16th century, where religious authorities feared coffeehouses were becoming centers of political and religious discussion, leading to unrest.
In 1675, King Charles II of England tried to shut down coffeehouses, believing they were breeding grounds for political conspiracies, but the public quickly rejected the ban.
Similarly, in the 18th century, Frederick the Great of Prussia issued a “coffee edict,” encouraging people to drink beer instead, fearing coffee would threaten beer taxes.
Despite these bans, coffee prevailed and is now a beloved beverage worldwide!
Decaf Doesn’t Mean Caffeine-Free
Decaffeinated coffee might not give you the same jolt as regular coffee, but it’s not completely caffeine-free! While the decaffeination process removes most of the caffeine, it doesn’t eliminate it entirely.
A cup of decaf coffee can still contain about 2–5 milligrams of caffeine, compared to the 95 milligrams found in a regular cup. So, if you’re trying to avoid caffeine completely, decaf might not be your perfect solution!
“Cup of Joe”: The Story Behind the Name
Ever wonder why coffee is often called a “cup of Joe”? The phrase “cup of Joe” is a popular slang term for coffee, but its origins are a bit mysterious. One theory is that it comes from Josephus Daniels, the U.S. Secretary of the Navy in the early 20th century.
During his time in office, Daniels made a bold decision to ban alcohol aboard Navy ships. As a result, sailors turned to coffee as their drink of choice. In reference to Daniels, they supposedly began calling it a “cup of Joe.” After all, it was the only thing they could drink on board!
Coffee Was Once Used as Currency
Imagine paying for your morning coffee with a handful of coffee beans instead of cash! In the 15th century, coffee beans were so valuable that they were used as currency in Yemen, where traders exchanged them for goods and services.
By the 17th century in England, coffee had become an essential commodity in global trade. Coffeehouses were bustling centers of social life, and the demand for coffee grew so high that it was often traded like money. People even used coffee as collateral for loans!
So next time you sip your coffee, remember, you’re holding a piece of history where coffee was once as valuable as cash, keeping economies buzzing across the world!
A Certain Cat’s Poop Can Be Turned into Coffee
Yes, you read that correctly! One of the world’s most expensive and unique coffees, called “Kopi Luwak,” is made using beans that have been digested by a cat-like animal called the civet. This unusual process creates a coffee with a smooth and distinct flavour that coffee connoisseurs swear by.
Here’s how it works: The civet, native to Southeast Asia, eats ripe coffee cherries as part of its diet. During this process, the enzymes in the cat’s stomach ferment the beans, altering their chemical composition and removing some of their bitterness. The beans are then collected (yes, from the poop), cleaned thoroughly, and roasted like regular coffee beans.
This rare coffee has an earthy, mild taste that is unlike anything else. However, it comes with a hefty price tag, often fetching hundreds of dollars per pound. Despite its fame, the production of Kopi Luwak has sparked controversy over ethical concerns, as some farms keep civets in captivity to meet demand.
Would you dare to take a sip?
The World’s Most Expensive Coffee Is Made from Elephant Dung
If Kopi Luwak wasn’t exotic enough, here’s a truly unique coffee—Black Ivory Coffee. It’s made from beans that have been eaten, digested, and then excreted by elephants.
The beans are collected from the dung, cleaned, and roasted to create a coffee with a complex flavour. Due to its rare production process, Black Ivory Coffee can cost hundreds of dollars per cup, making it one of the most expensive coffees in the world.
Coffee has health benefits
Coffee offers several health benefits! Packed with antioxidants, it helps fight inflammation and protect your cells. Regular coffee consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. It also supports brain function, boosts metabolism, and may help with fat burning.
Additionally, coffee can improve liver health and physical performance by increasing adrenaline levels. Moderate coffee intake has even been associated with a longer lifespan and better mental health, making it not just a tasty beverage but a beneficial one for your overall well-being. Enjoy these health benefits of coffee—of course, without a ton of sugar or milk!
Conclusion
Coffee has an amazing history and many surprising facts! From goats discovering its energy-boosting powers to being used as currency, coffee has played a big role in cultures around the world.
Whether you’re enjoying a cup of Joe or trying something unique, every cup has a story. And coffee has health benefits too! So, the next time you drink your coffee, remember all the interesting things behind it!