Coffee

One of the ubiquitous beverages in the world, coffee has grown from a modest plant native to the mountains of Africa into a cultural and economic powerhouse. The beverage, best known for its caffeine content and energizing effects, is behind only water and tea in amount of any beverage consumed globally. Every morning, the beverage fuels millions of people worldwide, giving them the boost they need to start their day. Whether it’s gourmet grounds made with complex machines or roughly ground beans hand-steeped over a stove, there’s something about coffee that’s hard to pinpoint but keeps people coming back for more.

A Brief History

The first recorded use of the coffee bean in making beverages is dated somewhere around the fifteenth century (or 1400’s). In the Middle East, ancient Arabians used heat, water, and coffee beans to prepare the beverage—much in the same way coffee is made today. Soon after that, the consumption of coffee spread across the Mediterranean Sea and into Italy, where it quickly gained popularity in the rest of Europe.

By the late 1500’s, coffee had made its way all the way to the northern isle of England, where local tradesmen began to open coffeehouses. In a matter of a few decades, no fewer than 3,000 coffeehouses were opened across the kingdom. By the 17th century, nearly every European country had an established following of coffee drinkers, and the bean had made its way across the Atlantic Ocean into the American Colonies.

With the increased demand of coffee came an effort to raise the supply. The coffee tree itself, once only found in Eastern Africa, was exported to be grown in similar climates and conditions. From South America, to the Caribbean, and even India, cultivators perfected the art of varietal coffee growing. Today, coffee is grown in several dozen countries across the Earth’s equatorial zones – supplying a growing number of drinkers worldwide.

Coffee Facts

In addition to its lengthy history, there are many nuances known to coffee growers and drinkers that you may not have heard. Consider, for instance, the fact that the coffee “bean” isn’t really a bean at all. Though its bitterness makes it seem counterintuitive, it’s actually the berries of the coffee tree that we grind and drink. Other parts of the world also handle coffee drinking itself in a different manner than westerners do. In Mediterranean countries, for instance, the oldest person at the table is always the first to be served. Additionally, coffee is never drank with meals – even breakfast – in certain cultures. The beverage is given a few of its own special times to be consumed throughout the day – much like the well-known “siesta” in Latin American countries.

Whether consumed to prepare for the day or relax after a long one, coffee continues to establish itself as a versatile, tasty, and invigorating refreshment. With both a lengthy history and continually growing popularity, it seems that the only way for the world’s third most popular beverage to go (besides in the mugs of millions of devotees) is up.