5 Crazy Facts About Coffee
Did you know that coffee is the most popular drink in the world after water? It’s true! Estimates show that more than 2.25 billion coffee cups are consumed daily. And while many people enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning to help them start their day, there are plenty of other fascinating facts about this delicious beverage that you might not know. Here are five crazy facts about coffee that will surprise and entertain you.
1: Coffee beans aren’t beans.
This one might come as a surprise, but coffee beans are the seeds of a fruit that grows on coffee trees. The fruit is often called a coffee cherry, and when the cherries are ripe, they are picked, and the seeds are extracted. The seeds are then dried and roasted to create the coffee beans we know and love.
2: You can get coffee from an animal’s poop.
No, we’re not joking. In some parts of the world, coffee beans are collected from the droppings of animals called civets. These furry creatures eat coffee cherries, and their digestive system breaks down the fruit’s flesh, leaving the beans intact. The beans are then collected from the civet’s poop, cleaned, and roasted to create what is known as kopi luwak coffee. It’s one of the world’s most expensive coffees, and some say it has a unique, smooth flavor.
3: There are more than 18,000 different types of coffee plants.
With so many different coffee plants out there, it’s no wonder there are so many different flavors of coffee. The two main types of coffee plants are Arabica and Robusta, but there are many different subtypes and hybrids. And each type of coffee plant produces beans with a unique flavor profile. So whether you like your coffee light and fruity or dark and chocolatey, there’s a bean out there that will suit your taste.
4: Coffee is good for your health.
Coffee has been demonized in the past, but recent studies have shown that it can be good for your health. Coffee is rich in antioxidants and has been linked to a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other conditions. So drink up!
5: Coffee can help you live longer.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of death than those who don’t drink coffee. The study followed more than 450,000 people over 16 years and found that those who drank two to three cups of coffee daily were 18% less likely to die than those who didn’t. So if you want to live a long and healthy life, make sure you get your daily dose of coffee.
So next time you enjoy a cup of coffee, take a moment to appreciate all the fascinating facts about this beloved beverage.