Five Fun Facts About Coffee

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER TODAY FOR 10% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER. CONDITIONS MAY APPLY.

FREE SHIPPING FOR ORDERS $75+ IN CANADA.

Five Fun Facts About Coffee

Posted on September 09 2022, By: Bobby Chapelle

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages to drink in the world. For the coffee lovers and casual drinkers, we bet you didn’t know some of these cool facts about coffee:

1. COFFEE BEANS ARE TECHNICALLY A SEED

Coffee beans grow on trees and are the seed or the pit of a berry. The berries are called "coffee berries" and can be eaten as well. We call the pits "coffee beans" because they resemble a legume. There are two types of coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta. The Arabica species, the most popular, are tastier with a smoother, sweeter flavour, including notes of chocolate and sugar. This seed flourished in Ethiopia, where coffee was discovered. The Robusta bean consists of a stronger and more bitter taste, making it less favourable to drink.

Source: Unsplash

2. COFFEE WAS DISCOVERED BY A GOAT HERDER

An Ethiopian legend claims, coffee was discovered in 800 A.D. in Ethiopia's ancient coffee forests. It is believed that the first traces of coffee were found by a goat herder named Kaldi. Legend says, he noticed his goats would become very energetic after eating berries from a specific tree. Later, Kaldi and his local abbot would experiment with the berries by making a drink. When testing the berries, they realized it made them energized like the goats. This experiment was then passed on by word of mouth amongst locals about their new discovery. Eventually, these beans would make their way to the Arabian Peninsula, which would mark the beginning of coffee beans becoming widespread around the globe.

3. BRAZIL GROWS THE MOST COFFEE BEANS

Brazil is the number one grower of coffee beans. It is a driving force for their economy as it is a large export and supplies most of the world with its coffee beans. In the 18th century, the plant was brought over to Brazil by French Settlers. With coffee beans growing in popularity among Europeans at the time, it became the largest producing country in the 1840s. There are roughly 300,000 coffee farms across Brazil. Other contending countries include Vietnam, Columbia, Indonesia, and Ethiopia.

Try our Brazilian Coffee Co. Collection here: https://kempenfeltcoffee.com/collections/brazilian-coffee-co

4. ESPRESSO MEANS "TO EXPRESS" OR "PRESSED OUT" IN ITALIAN

The popular Italian word "espresso" refers to how it's made: forcing hot water through pressed coffee beans. Coffee was brought over during the Italian Renaissance, where many Italians enjoyed the beverage. In the early twentieth century, espresso was invented in Venice by a businessman named Luigi Bezzera. He experimented with ways to brew coffee faster since he thought it took too long to make. He eventually discovered adding steam pressure with a machine would cut brewing time and made the taste stronger.

Source: Unsplash

5. COFFEE BECAME POPULAR DURING THE WARS IN AMERICA

During the Revolutionary War, coffee became patriotic to sip on. Then, during the Civil War, when the Boston Tea Party occurred, coffee was made to energize tired troops. This event helped boost its popularity in America.

Today, there are only two places where coffee is grown in the States. The warmer climates in Hawaii provide optimal growth, and some part of California allow for harvesting premium coffee beans.

Did you learn something new? Do you have a preferred blend? Let us know and check out the varieties we offer at kempenfeltcoffee.com

Sources:

https://perkcoffee.co/sg/arabica-beans-vs-robusta-beans-whats-difference/#:~:text=ARABICA%20COFFEE%20BEANS&text=Arabica%20tends%20to%20have%20a,with%20grainy%20or%20rubbery%20overtones.