Like any other means of communication, coffee has become part of how we interact. And this, in turn, has changed the rules of how it is consumed. Drinking coffee no longer means just drinking coffee; it means spending time with friends, colleagues, and people you meet at work or on your travels.
The need for communication—and the symbolic role communication plays in our society—has also changed how we talk about coffee. The reasons we give for drinking coffee are now different. Instead of saying it keeps us awake so we can study or work hard, we say it helps us think better and do our jobs more efficiently.
Instead of saying it gives us pleasure or tastes good, we say it makes us feel “productive” or “creative.”
Coffee shops aren’t just places to get a cup of coffee; they are places where people gather and meet others to socialize. Nowadays, we usually drink coffee at home, and we can easily forget about its social meaning. So, grab a cup of coffee and dive into the most interesting facts about coffee.
COFFEE IS A FRUIT
Wait, what? Are coffee beans fruits? But coffee is a brewed drink. So is tea, hot chocolate, and any number of other drinks. Are they all fruits?
No. I am not talking about the technical botanical definition of fruit, which is a mature ovary. A fruit is a part of a plant that contains seeds.
But wait, what? Coffee beans don't come from a plant! They come from a tree! Most plants don't grow in neat rows like vegetables; they tend to sprawl or climb over things. And coffee trees do produce berries. Green coffee beans are the pit of the coffee berry; red coffee beans are the seeds inside it.
COFFEE WAS DISCOVERED BY AN ETHIOPIAN GOAT HERDER
It is unclear exactly how coffee came to the attention of the rest of the world. Drinking coffee is a normal part of our lives; we rarely consider how it came about. But according to this story, it must have been an accident.
The stimulating effects of coffee were discovered by a goat herder in Ethiopia who noticed that his goats were particularly alert after consuming berries from a coffee tree.
This knowledge spread like wildfire, and other goat herders and monks noticed that coffee would help them stay awake for long periods.
BEES LOVE COFFEE
Bees are the main pollinators of coffee plants. Coffee plants reproduce by producing very sweet, nectar-like flowers that are pollinated by bees. The flowers also contain caffeinated nectar.
Caffeine makes bees more alert. Caffeinated bees are also more efficient at gathering pollen and transporting it back to their hive. However, caffeine doesn't affect the taste of coffee beans because the beans are picked before they have had a chance to absorb any caffeine from the flowers.
Caffeine has this effect on us, too. It boosts our moods by blocking adenosine receptors in our brains, which make us sleepy. Along with sugar, caffeine creates an alertness-boosting combination that makes us more alert and awake.
COFFEE USED TO BE CONSUMED IN RELIGIOUS CONTEXTS
By the early 17th century, coffee had reached the Middle East, particularly Persia and Turkey.
Coffee drinking declined in popularity after religious authorities banned it in Mecca and Cairo during the 16th century. The ban was soon lifted due to pressure from large merchants who profited from the coffee trade.
The drink soon became a favorite in religious circles and among scholars and intellectuals in the Muslim world and then in Christian Europe. It was during this period that coffee acquired its reputation for intellectual stimulation.
The elite viewed the beverage as a luxurious and healthy alternative to alcohol.
HAWAII IS NOT THE ONLY STATE THAT PRODUCES COFFEE
Hawaiian coffee is the most well-known coffee from the US, but coffee has been produced in Puerto Rico for many years. Recently, Southern California has seen small coffee-growing projects pop up in the shadows of old avocado orchards.
Hawaii is best known for its world-famous Kona coffee, originally grown in the Kona region of the Big Island. The rich volcanic soil combined with the state's tropical climate makes it one of the most ideal places in the US to grow coffee plants. Because of the rarity and price of Kona coffee, some retailers sell "Kona Blends." These are not a combination of different Kona coffees but a blend of Kona and/ or other foreign coffees. Usually, they contain only the minimum required 10% Kona coffee and 90% cheaper imported beans.
Puerto Rico, with its tropical climate and areas of mountainous terrain, offers suitable conditions for coffee growing. Once a high-volume producing region, Puerto Rico has seen a decline in coffee production over its recent history. Organizations like TechnoServe are now working in Puerto Rico with farmers to help revitalize the once-booming industry and complement the island’s thriving cafe culture.
In recent years, California has popped up on the coffee-producing scene as small growing projects have produced experimental lots led by companies like Frinj, which has farms spread throughout Southern California, most of which are found in Santa Barbara and San Diego counties. These experimental coffees are perking curiosity and fetching high prices for the allure of being California-grown, so don’t be surprised when you see a 5 oz bag of roasted coffee going for $50+.
YOU DON'T NEED TO DRINK COFFEE IN THE MORNING
Drinking coffee first thing in the morning does not help; it can actually harm you by tricking your body into producing cortisol when it doesn’t need to.
That’s because your body produces cortisol naturally when you wake up.
If you drink a lot of coffee early in the day, you will be very alert and energetic—but by noon, your cortisol levels will have dropped enough to make you feel lousy again. If this pattern continues for several days, consuming coffee after lunch is better.
COFFEE HELPS YOU LIVE LONGER
Some studies show that people who drink coffee are less likely to develop depression or Alzheimer's disease, two conditions that shorten life expectancy.
Researchers are also finding ways that coffee may help your body fight off other chronic illnesses.
Two chemicals in coffee – caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid – reduce inflammation and exhibit antioxidant capacity. When consumed, they increase the level of antioxidants in the body and decrease oxidative stress within cells, which can slow down and even prevent cell damage and death by reducing free radical activity.
That means the drink may also reduce your risk for cancer.
THE LAST SIP
New facts, old facts
The coffee culture is always changing as people find new ways of enjoying this tasty and energizing drink.
Whether we’re talking about its price, origins, or even the drink itself, coffee seems to be affected by the passage of time and the introduction of new ideas and innovations.
If you’re a coffee fan and want to ensure you stay up to date on what’s happening in today’s coffee culture, head over to our blog.
Chris Morris - Peacemaker Coffee, Family Owned And Retired Police Officer (pictured).
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