10 Amazing facts about coffee

From around the world… We have scoured the four corners of the globe to bring you these ten amazing facts about coffee for you to enjoy.

1. Brazil is the largest coffee producer in the world, accounting for over one-third of global coffee production.
   
   Brazil is renowned for its coffee plantations, and its coffee is considered to be one of the best in the world. The country’s coffee industry has a long and rich history dating back to the early 18th century. Today, Brazil produces more coffee than any other country globally, thanks to its favourable climate and fertile soil. The country’s coffee industry is highly efficient and modern, with large plantations, advanced technology, and skilled labour.
   
2. The United States is the world’s largest consumer of coffee, with over 400 million cups of coffee consumed daily.
   
   Coffee is an integral part of American culture, with coffee shops and cafes in every corner of the country. Americans consume coffee for various reasons, including its energizing effect, comforting aroma, and taste. The country’s coffee industry is highly diversified, with large-scale and small-scale coffee roasters and growers.
   
3. Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world, after petroleum.
   
   Coffee is a highly valuable and sought-after commodity, with a global market worth billions of dollars. The coffee trade has a long and complex history, with coffee beans being transported from producing to consuming countries for centuries. Today, coffee is traded on international markets, with prices influenced by various factors such as supply and demand, weather conditions, and political instability.
   
4. Finland has the world’s highest coffee consumption per capita, with an average of 12 kilograms per person per year.
   
   Finland is known for its coffee culture, an integral part of daily life for many Finns. The country has a rich history of coffee consumption, with coffee being introduced to Finland in the 18th century. Today, coffee is consumed in various forms and settings, from home brewing to coffee shops and cafes.
   
5. Vietnam is the second-largest coffee producer in the world, after Brazil.
   
   Vietnam’s coffee industry has grown significantly in recent years, thanks to its favourable climate and abundant labour force. The country’s coffee industry is dominated by small-scale farmers, with coffee grown in various regions nationwide. Vietnam’s coffee is known for its rich and earthy flavour and is widely used in blends and instant coffee.
   
6. Coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia in the 9th century.
   
   According to legend, a goat herder named Kaldi first discovered coffee in Ethiopia. Kaldi noticed that his goats became hyperactive after eating the berries of a specific tree and decided to try them himself. He found that the berries had a stimulating effect, and coffee was born.
   
7. The coffee plant belongs to the same family as the gardenia and jasmine.
   
   Coffee plants belong to the family Rubiaceae, which includes over 13,000 species. The coffee plant is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 30 feet tall and produces fragrant white flowers.
   
8. The world’s most expensive coffee is made from beans eaten and excreted by a civet cat.
   
   Kopi luwak, or civet coffee, is made from coffee beans eaten and excreted by the Asian palm civet. The beans are collected from the civet’s droppings, washed, and roasted to produce a unique and highly valued coffee.
   
9. Coffee can help improve brain function and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
   
   Studies have shown that caffeine, the main ingredient in coffee, can improve cognitive function, including memory, attention, and alertness. Drinking coffee regularly may also reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
   
10. The world’s largest coffee cup is over 10 feet tall and holds nearly 27,000 litres.
    
    In 2019, the Universidad de Guanajuato and the Gobierno del Estado de Guanajuato in Mexico joined forces to break the world record for the largest cup of coffee. The cup measured over 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) in height and 2.6 meters (8.5 feet) in diameter. It was filled with over 8,000 litres (2,113 gallons) of coffee, made from beans grown in the state of Guanajuato. The event was held to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Universidad de Guanajuato’s Faculty of Sciences and to promote the state’s coffee industry. The world record-breaking cup of coffee was a testament to the dedication of the organizers and the passion that the people of Guanajuato have for their coffee. It also put the state on the map as a major coffee producer and highlighted the importance of sustainable coffee farming practices in the region.