21 Interesting Facts About Coffee

Coffee is undoubtedly one of the world's favorite beverages. It is a reason to meet, an opportunity to get acquainted, a ritual for a successful start to the day, and a little pleasure during a busy day. Much has been written and said about it, but we have gathered 21 fascinating facts that will surprise you. Check them out in the following lines!

1. Who discovered the stimulating effect of coffee?
Legend has it that in the 9th century, Abyssinian shepherds noticed the effect of caffeine on their goats, which became particularly energetic after eating the fruits of the Coffea plant. A local monk then made a drink from the fruits and discovered that it kept him awake during the night.
Thus, the original cup of coffee was born.

2. Europe loves coffee!
According to the International Coffee Organization (ICO), Europe imports more coffee than the United States.
Do you know which countries on the Old Continent consume the most coffee? Finland takes first place, with average consumption of 9.6 kg of coffee per person per year. Bulgaria ranks 34th, with a much more modest 2.3 kg of coffee per person per year.

3. Did you know that coffee is the third most consumed beverage in the world, after water and tea? Today, more than 70 countries produce coffee, and the average person drinks around 2 cups of coffee a day.

4. What is the recipe for happiness? A study by the Harvard Institute of Public Health and Nutrition suggests that it is drinking 2-3 cups of coffee a day! The secret lies in the effect of caffeine, which stimulates the production of more “feel-good” hormones such as dopamine and serotonin.
Have you already had your “cup of happiness” today?

5. Numerous studies have shown that coffee helps the brain work more efficiently! Another one of the many benefits of caffeine is that it has a positive effect on brain cells and improves concentration.

6. Coffee improves sports performance!
Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, reducing fatigue and drowsiness. This property can also help during strength exercises. Studies show that it may improve endurance as well as increase muscle strength.

7. Coffee is very rich in antioxidants, which improve health and reduce the risk of a number of diseases. Some studies suggest that the human body absorbs more antioxidants from coffee than from vegetables and fruits!

8. Did you know that Australian engineers have developed a concept for building roads using used coffee grounds? The innovative technology was conceived by the head of the Centre for Sustainable Infrastructure at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, who is also a passionate coffee lover.

9. What colors are coffee beans?
Most of us see them when they are already dark brown, but before roasting, their shades range from red and yellow to green. During every stage of processing, coffee changes color, which can also indicate when it is ready for consumption.

10. Do you love cappuccino? Did you know that the word “cappuccino” is connected to the Capuchin Order? The reason is that the color of coffee mixed with foamed milk resembles the color of the Capuchins' robes. Their order was founded in Italy in the 16th century.
Another Italian trace in the history of coffee.

11. The largest coffee cup holding a Guinness World Record can hold an incredible 22,739 liters of coffee!
Fifty people worked for more than a month to build the giant cup, which was presented in Colombia.
The coffee used to fill the record-breaking cup was 100% Arabica.

12. Did you know that 140 liters of water are needed to produce one cup of coffee? No, that is not a mistake! Of course, not all of it goes directly into your cup. This is the amount of water needed to grow enough coffee beans to eventually produce a cup of our favorite beverage.

13. Coffee can also help with beauty!
Don't throw away your coffee grounds. They are an excellent natural exfoliant that removes dead skin cells and leaves the skin smooth, firm, and fresh.
Another benefit of our favorite beverage!

14. How many countries grow coffee? Nearly 65, and they are all located around the equator and the tropics. North America is an exception, as the climate conditions in Puerto Rico and Hawaii are also favorable for coffee cultivation.

15. Did you know that coffee actually has more than six times as many different flavor characteristics as wine? According to some sources, coffee has around 1,500 aromatic characteristics, while around 200 have been identified in wine.

16. Did you know that coffee neutralizes unpleasant odors? Here is an easy trick to remove bad smells from your refrigerator. Place a small bowl or bag of used coffee grounds at the back of the refrigerator. Your fridge will once again smell fresh and clean!

17. Coffee can help with fat burning! It is no coincidence that caffeine is found in many weight-loss products. It is one of the few natural substances shown to increase fat burning and speed up metabolism.

18. How many calories are in a standard cup of coffee? Less than 5! Coffee is a very low-calorie beverage, but if you add milk and sugar, things change!

19. Did you know that coffee can have a second life in a completely different form? Many companies are moving toward sustainable production and are making use of coffee grounds. Today, we can find vases, lamps, furniture, and even shoes made from coffee waste.

20. Would you like to take a bath in coffee? Some people love coffee so much that they literally want to immerse themselves in their favorite beverage. Now this is possible! A spa in Japan offers visitors a pool filled with coffee, where they can also enjoy the many benefits of caffeine for the skin.

21. Coffee helped us live longer!