Coffee Origin
There is not a consensus on the true origin of the English word coffee. It is thought the word coffee originated from the Turkish pronunciation kahveh of an Arabic word, Qahwah (related to wine or dark stuff). The English version may have come from the Italian term, caffe, Dutch, koffie, or French, café.
An alternative is coffee takes its name from the Ethiopian Kaffa region, which is potentially also the native home of the coffee plant. Some feel this is not likely due to the coffee plant being labelled after the Arabic bunn meaning “raw coffee” and the coffee drink being called būno.
Espresso Origin
Espresso is an Italian word meaning to be pressed out. Hence the espresso coffee drink having the name based on the extraction process of pressing hot water through finely ground coffee grinds.
Cappuccino Origin
The drink Kapuziner was named after the hooded robes of the Capuchin (Kapuzin) friars of Vienna in the 1700s. The color of the friars clothing was similar to that of the drink.
The drink changed over the years and in the 1900s. The Italians would popularize the term cappuccino.
How Coffee Became Known as Joe
Joe is a slang word for coffee.
During the first World War, a US Navy secretary banned alcohol from US Navy ships as part of his morality purge. Obviously this led to an increase in alternate beverage consumption, coffee being a predominant one.
One theory is it led to the sarcastic term having “a cup of Joe” in place of a preferred alcoholic beverage. Joe being short for Josephus.
While this is a good story, it may be a myth.
Other less exciting options include:
- The shortening of "java" or "jamoke"
- It being the drink of the common man (an ordinary joe).
See here for a more detailed analysis.
Cooking with Coffee
Instant coffee is often used in cooking because it contains no water. A recipe might no need any water, and if it does, you need to cater for that in your measurements when using real coffee.
The coffee flavor is concentrated in instant coffee and it is easy to use as a standard measurement. There are no grounds that can cause grit and instant coffee is simple to use in cooking.
The World’s Most Expensive Coffee
Kopi Luwak, also known as civet coffee, is widely considered the most expensive coffee in the world. It’s made from coffee beans that have been eaten and partially digested by the Asian palm civet, a small mammal found in Southeast Asia. The beans are then collected from the civet’s droppings, cleaned, and roasted. Due to its unique production process and rarity, Kopi Luwak can cost up to $600 per pound.
Coffee’s Health Benefits
Despite its reputation as a mere stimulant, coffee has been linked to several health benefits when consumed in moderation:
- Improved cognitive function and alertness
- Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes
- Lower risk of Parkinson’s disease
- Potential protection against liver disease and certain types of cancer
- Rich source of antioxidants
However, it’s important to note that excessive consumption can lead to negative side effects.
The Boston Tea Party’s Impact on Coffee
The Boston Tea Party of 1773, where American colonists dumped British tea into the Boston Harbor in protest of taxation, inadvertently boosted coffee’s popularity in America. As drinking tea became unpatriotic, many Americans switched to coffee as their hot beverage of choice, a trend that continues to this day.
The World’s Largest Coffee Producers
The top coffee-producing countries in the world are:
- Brazil
- Vietnam
- Colombia
- Indonesia
- Ethiopia
Brazil alone accounts for about one-third of the world’s coffee production.
The Discovery of Decaf Coffee
Decaffeinated coffee was accidentally discovered in 1905 by German coffee merchant Ludwig Roselius. A shipment of coffee beans was soaked in seawater during transit, naturally extracting some of the caffeine. Roselius then developed a process to remove caffeine from coffee beans without compromising flavor, leading to the creation of decaf coffee.
The Coffee Belt
Coffee is primarily grown in an area known as the “Coffee Belt” or “Bean Belt.” This region circles the globe between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, roughly between 25 degrees North and 30 degrees South latitude. This area provides the ideal growing conditions for coffee plants, including rich soil, mild temperatures, frequent rain, and shaded sun.
The Two Main Types of Coffee Beans
While there are many varieties of coffee, most of the coffee consumed worldwide comes from two main species:
- Arabica: Known for its smooth, complex flavor and less caffeine. It accounts for about 60-70% of global coffee production.
- Robusta: Has a stronger, harsher taste and more caffeine. It’s often used in espresso blends and instant coffee.
The Birth of the Coffeehouse
The world’s first coffeehouse opened in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) in 1475. These establishments quickly became centers of social activity and intellectual discourse. By the 17th century, coffeehouses had spread to Europe, where they were sometimes called “penny universities” because for the price of a cup of coffee, one could engage in stimulating conversation and learn about the latest news and ideas.
Coffee in Space
Coffee has made its way into space! In 2015, Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti became the first person to drink an espresso in space, thanks to a specially designed espresso machine called the ISSpresso, developed by Italian engineering company Argotec and coffee company Lavazza.
The Legend of Dancing Goats
Not so much a fact, but according to Ethiopian legend, coffee was discovered by a goat herder named Kaldi. He noticed that his goats became unusually energetic after eating berries from a certain tree. Kaldi reported his findings to the local monastery, and the monks made a drink with the berries. They found that it kept them alert through long hours of prayer, thus beginning the human relationship with coffee.
Coffee Cherries are Edible
While we typically only consume the roasted seeds (beans) of the coffee plant, the entire coffee cherry is actually edible. In some coffee-growing regions, the cherries are eaten as a snack or used to make a tea-like beverage called cascara, which has a sweet, fruity flavor quite different from coffee.
The World’s Coffee Consumption
Finland consistently ranks as the world’s top coffee consumer per capita, with the average Finn drinking about 12 kg (26.5 lbs) of coffee per year. This is followed closely by other Nordic countries like Norway, Iceland, and Denmark.