Ten Interesting Facts About Coffee
Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. There are coffee shops on nearly every corner! Coffee is found all over the world, with Brazil producing more coffee than any other country. The coffee beans used for this coffee come from Arabica coffee trees only grown in areas around the equator.
It takes coffee about five years to grow to maturity after it has been planted. It is said that coffee beans are the pit of a coffee fruit, which grows on coffee trees. The coffee tree can live upwards of 100 years.
The top coffee-producing countries are Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Ethiopia. These five nations produce more than half of all coffee in the world.
It is estimated that we consume 1.6 billion cups of coffee every day! That’s 400 million more than what was drank just 40 years ago! That is quite the increase, but that is not the only interesting fact about coffee. There are a few that you might not know about.
Ten Coffee Facts
- Coffee was first discovered by goat herders living in Ethiopia who noticed their goats getting very lively after eating coffee berries! They started to experiment with coffee cherries and found out that roasted coffee beans were pleasant tasting too.
- Coffee beans are used as the base for many coffee-flavored products such as coffee ice cream, coffee soda, coffee liquor, and even coffee lip balm.
- Coffee is such a popular drink because it contains caffeine, not just any caffeine though. Most coffee beans contain around 1% caffeine whereas tea leaves only have about 0.3%! It’s no wonder people want to drink coffee in the morning when they start to get tired again.
- Coffee beans are very sensitive. They need to be protected from heat, light, air, and moisture to maintain their high quality.
- It is estimated that 1/3 of the world’s population drinks at least one cup of coffee a day.
- Coffee can be brewed with hot water, steeped like tea, or espresso coffee through trapping steam under pressure (espresso).
- Around 260 coffee beans are needed to produce just one 16 oz coffee.
- 5,000 coffee trees are needed to produce just one pound of coffee. That’s around 4,500 coffee cherries!
- Coffee is the second most widely traded commodity in the world, being surpassed only by petroleum.
- Around 400 billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide each year. That works out to 1.6 billion cups per day or about 3 per person on earth! Now you know why it is such a big industry. So next time you make a cup of java for yourself, be sure to thank the farmers who made it all possible.
What Kind of Coffee Should You Choose?
You’ve had a long hard day at work, and you’re in desperate need of some liquid relaxation. An espresso, cappuccino, or americano will take care of your immediate problem, but you have to choose which one to treat yourself with!
But wait…can you tell the difference? Which one is the right choice for you? Once you know the differences between these four different types of coffee, you’ll be able to easily decide which is best for your tastes!
Espresso: The Most Basic Type Of Coffee
Espresso is an incredibly common type of coffee that you can find in most cafes. It is made using hot water that passes through compacted ground coffee beans at high pressure.
It then comes out as a very concentrated type of coffee (about 2-4g of caffeine per ounce).
Because the water is pressed through the coffee beans, the taste is a lot stronger and richer than it would be if you were to use a drip brewer. And of course, due to the high pressure, there’s also more caffeine!
The best thing about espresso is that you can add all sorts of flavorings to it for something new every time. You can add things like chocolate or cinnamon to pump up the flavor or dairy products such as steamed milk, soy milk, or even cream for an extra creamy drink.
Cappuccino: The Tastiest Type Of Coffee Drink In Town
If you’re looking for a good all-rounder, then a cappuccino is the one for you. It’s a light but creamy drink that goes great with breakfast or as an afternoon pick me up.
Cappuccinos generally contain about twice as much milk as espresso. It will be steamed to give it a light and frothy texture with tiny bubbles. The ratio of coffee to cream is generally 1:1 or 2:3, so there’s pretty low coffee content in here. This results in a less intense flavor than espresso and a more mild taste overall.
Of course, you can still add any extra flavorings chocolate syrup or vanilla if you so choose!
Americano: A Stronger Tasting Drink With A Bigger Kick
You’ll notice that when you order an americano, the staff will ask if you want it “ristretto” or “normal”. This to how much water they should use when preparing your drink. Normal? Or Ristretto (meaning restricted)?
If you go for ristretto, your americano will be more concentrated and stronger in taste. This is because less water has been used to mix it.
If you go for normal coffee, you will receive a diluted espresso with some hot water added in. Some people think that this dilutes the flavor too much, but you can always add a touch of milk if you want.
One great thing about americano is that it packs a punch. If you need a good kick from your coffee, this blend will certainly do the trick!
Drip Coffee: A More Balanced Tasting Coffee
This one is made using a drip brewer and involves hot water that’s passed through ground coffee without the use of any pressure whatsoever.
Since it’s not pressurized, drip coffee can’t compare to espresso in terms of how strong and concentrated it is.
However, this results in a more balanced and milder tasting drink than either espresso or americano. It also produces less caffeine than the other types of coffee.
And if you want to make it even stronger, you can always ask for a double shot. This will give you the same amount of caffeine as two espressos yet with an intensity that’s about halfway between one regular espresso and one ristretto shot.
More Coffee Options For a Caffeine Kick
Putting a frothy, smooth head onto a piping hot cup of coffee seems to be a lot of people’s way of getting their day started. Whether you’re putting cinnamon and sugar on top, putting half-and-half in it, or just drinking it black, one thing is for certain: “coffee culture” is here and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
The Standard Cup Of Joe
This is a very simple drink to make, as all you need is ground coffee beans and hot water. You can use a machine or just heat some water in a kettle and pour it into your mug with the coffee in it. There are additional ways to make great coffee at home, but you’d need to do some experimenting on your own to discover those.
Another Great Choice Is A Latte
This one involves steamed milk and espresso, which you create by forcing water at high pressure through finely-ground coffee beans.
The milk is heated to a temperature somewhere between 140 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on whose steaming it. You can make a latte with or without foam.
Too Hot? Try Iced Coffee!
If it is too hot outside or you just want a cold drink with some caffeine, you might want an iced coffee. This type is simple as well! Just brew up some coffee and then pour it over ice. You can put cream and sugar in this one, as well as any other flavorings you may prefer.
So you picked a what type of coffee drink you want, now what about the snacks? Many amazing pairings can enhance the flavor and enjoyment of your coffee.
Snacks To Enjoy With Your Coffee
Try these tasty combinations or create your own!
Coffee & Cookies
When you’re in the mood to indulge your sweet tooth, reach for a cup of coffee and a cookie (or two)! The pair has just enough caffeine to wake you up without overstimulating you. Plus, they just taste good together!
Coffee & Cake
There’s nothing like a warm piece of coffee cake to start your day. The sweet, creamy flavor can help offset the bitterness in coffee and give you just the boost you need to get moving. And don’t forget about dessert. Whip up some iced coffee-flavored whipped cream for an extra jolt!
Coffee & Dark Chocolate
When you want a rich, indulgent treat for after dinner, try coffee and dark chocolate. The caffeine will help you digest the food more quickly, but won’t disrupt your sleep cycle as much as other caffeinated drinks do. Plus, the flavors go perfectly together!
Coffee & Brownies
Craving some chocolate? A cup of coffee can help you indulge your sweet tooth without regretting it later. It’s the perfect foil for rich, dark chocolate brownies. You can even dip them in your coffee for a double dose of flavor!
In Conclusion
No matter how stressful a day you might have had, coffee can always bring a smile to your face! Coffee can provide you with a burst of confidence for a big day or give you a boost for those longer days. It can be the start of your day or the perfect afternoon pick me up! There are a variety of ways to make and enjoy your cup of joe!
Looking to learn more about brewing a perfect cup of joe? Find more coffee tips here!
