
The importance and popularity of coffee cannot be denied – not only as household commodity, but also in the economy. Did you know that next to petroleum, coffee is the second top commodity in the trading industry? It gives a total of around sixty billion dollars in revenue every year from the fifty-three countries that grow coffee. Though a prime commodity, not everybody knows everything about this daily staple.
Here are some quick facts about coffee that may come in handy one day… you never know:
- Legend has it a 9th-century Ethiopian goat herder discovered coffee by accident when he noticed the beans having an unusual stimulating effect on his goats.
- New Yorkers drink almost 7 times more coffee than other cities in the US.
- The first food to be freeze-dried was indeed coffee.
- Coffee beans grow on a bush.
- The lethal dose of caffeine is roughly 100 cups of coffee.
- Espresso is regulated by the Italian government because it is considered an essential part of their daily life.
- Hawaii is the only state that commercially grows coffee.
- In the ancient Arab culture, there was only one way a woman could legally divorce: If her husband didn’t provide enough coffee.
- Coffee beans are actually the pit of a berry, which makes them a fruit. The best fruit.
- In the 1600’s, there was a controversy over whether or not Catholics could drink coffee. Luckily, Pope Clement VIII said it was okay.
- The first webcam was invented at the University of Cambridge to let people know if the coffee pot was full or not.
- Before coffee caught on in the U.S. in the 1700’s, beer was the breakfast drink of choice.