7 Coffee Facts You Didn’t Know
Coffee is one of the most known and consumed beverages. What’s a morning without a cup of coffee? Its rich, creamy taste and gratifying aroma are qualities known and appreciated by most. Like some good luck charm, most people drink coffee to start their day. Or, other times, coffee is a way to engage with your peers at the office and enjoy conversations with colleagues at the coffee bar. Although this beverage is enjoyed far and wide, we don’t know much about its origin or details.
What if I told you a coffee tree could live up to 200 years? Or, at germination, when it begins to sprout, the plant is slightly thin and tall, with the top looking like a tiny seed. An adult coffee tree, however, is a bushy plant, and its lifespan reaches 200 years. Additionally, coffee beans are cherry seeds. The bushy plants grow cherries that are picked, processed and dried, once ripened.
While this is just bonus information, here are a few more facts you probably didn’t know:
1. Origin of the word ‘Coffee.’
The usage of the word “coffee” in the English Language became a term in the 16th century, particularly in 1582. The word ‘Coffee’ was borrowed from the Italian word “Caffe.” The word “Caffe” was also from the Dutch word “Koffie” and “Koffie” from the Turkish word “Kahve.” “Kahve” also stemmed from the Arabic word “Qahwah.” There were probably more terms before that, but we’re happy with the term coffee!
2. Brazil, the world’s largest coffee producer
Brazil is the world’s largest coffee producer, but did you know that they have held this title for more than 150 years? Coffee made in Brazil accounts for one-third of the world’s coffee production. After Brazil is Vietnam, followed by Columbia and Indonesia. Special thanks to these countries for making coffee available. That’s why our selection of coffee is top-notch.
3. Coffee plants require a significant amount of water
Coffee production takes a lot of water. To be specific, a pound of coffee requires 2,500 gallons of water, approximately 10,000 liters of water. Having a consistent water supply is a must before planning on owning a coffee farm.
4. There are so many ways to drink coffee.
We appreciate coffee for its drinking flexibility – you can craft a coffee beverage in so many ways. You can have your coffee black, sweetened, add syrups like chocolate or caramel, hot or iced, or even add it to some tea and ice cream. Some of the ways to craft your coffee:
- Frappuccino, having whipped cream, syrup, milk with sugar, espresso, and ice.
- Cappuccino – frothed milk, milk, and espresso
- Caramel Macchiato – caramel, syrup, whipped cream, milk, espresso, and ice
- Café Mocha – whipped cream, milk, espresso, and chocolate
- Americano – water and espresso
- Café latte – frothed milk, milk, and espresso
- Irish Coffee – whipped cream, whiskey, and espresso
You must have noticed a repetition of “espresso.” Espresso is made by forcing boiling water under pressure through ground coffee beans. If you’re looking to craft the perfect espresso in the office, Agora’s coffee systems do the ideal job.
5. Civet Coffee
This fact about coffee is fascinating and could be poking too. What if I told you the beans used to make civet coffee are partially digested by a cat-like creature called the civet? These animals are the Asian palm civet. This coffee consists of coffee cherries that were selectively picked and fed to the cats. According to an article by National Geographic, their digestive enzymes change the structure of proteins in the coffee beans, which removes some of the acidity to make a smoother cup of coffee. This process is said to give the beans an incredible and astonishing flavor. However, it is not readily available and is hence expensive, and can cost up to $80/per cup in the U.S.
6. Espresso has less caffeine than brewed coffee
This fact is quite tricky. By volume, the espresso has higher caffeine content, but since its servings are in smaller sizes when compared with brewed coffee, you have more caffeine from the brewed. In simpler words, espresso in small quantity has less caffeine than brewed coffee which is typically served in larger quantities.
7. Coffee stales quickly and loses more than 50% of its flavor.
Perhaps, you’ve been told to keep your coffee grounds in an airtight container, which is highly recommended to keep your beans fresher. Ground coffee stales quicker than whole bean coffee. Those who make coffee and would love to get the best out of it buy whole beans and grind them at home when needed. Coffee grinding is an essential part of coffee production that receives the best output if ground correctly. That’s why we offer amazing grinders to keep your office coffee fresh 24/7. When crafting a coffee drink, it is best to consume it immediately. Do not make the coffee drink in the morning for later; coffee stales after 15 minutes.
Now that you know seven more things about your favorite beverage, enjoy every sip of freshness with satisfaction. Stay energetic as always!