If some enthusiast came up with the idea of ​​collecting every interesting fact about coffee , they could create a hefty monograph, and still likely wouldn't include a single interesting piece of information or anecdote. This is hardly surprising – over the years of its presence in human consciousness, coffee has written many beautiful stories. It has successfully faced adversity on its way to winning the affection of others. A love for it united representatives of various social classes – the aromatic beans held a place of honor in royal courts and bourgeois homes alike . It's similar today, when coffee is an egalitarian beverage – enjoyed by rich and poor, young and old.

In today's article, we explore the lesser-known side of this extraordinary product. We present various interesting facts about coffee and show how this beverage has evolved from ancient times to the present day. So brew your favorite coffee and dive in!

How was coffee discovered?

Coffee is a beverage whose extraordinary history offers numerous interesting facts. Many mysteries lie hidden within the discovery of the properties of this plant's fruit . Various theories and legends exist to explain the origins of the coffee phenomenon – two of the most important are discussed below.

The Domino Effect, or How Goat Hyperactivity Contributed to the Creation of the Coffee Machine

One of the most frequently mentioned stories claims that coffee is due to an Ethiopian shepherd named Kaldi . One day, he witnessed an unusual sight: the goats he was herding were suspiciously brimming with energy, and their persistent state of alertness made them reluctant to rest at night. Intrigued, Kaldi concluded that the herd's strange activity was influenced by small red berries, which the animals eagerly devoured. This awakened his inner experimenter, and he decided to test the effects of these unknown fruits for himself. He found that after eating them, he became energized and energetic . He feared that the berries' unique properties might stem from the influence of evil forces, so he decided to share his discovery with the monks residing nearby.

The shepherd's report was taken seriously, and the clergy decided to investigate his suspicions. They conducted a taste test, but the berries were particularly unappealing and, without hesitation, threw them into the fire. After a while , a strange, beautiful aroma began to emanate from the berries, encouraging the monks to retrieve the roasted seeds . Together, they decided to throw them into a cauldron of water and attempt to create a beverage. The resulting infusion proved not only potable but also simply delicious. Consuming it had the added benefit of allowing the priests to remain in prayer much longer because they were not plagued by sleep. They decided that the berries must therefore be imbued with divine, not satanic, power . They also advised Kaldi about the troublesome flock: they recommended a change of pasture. In this way, a few hyperactive goats contributed to the discovery of the unique beans for which automatic coffee machines were created many centuries later.

The Princess on a Coffee Bean

When recounting interesting facts about coffee, another legend surrounding its discovery cannot be overlooked. It involves the Arab monk Ali Ben Omar , who had the ability to cure many ailments. He once helped the king's daughter, with whom he later fell unhappily in love, to recover. The king was reluctant to offer him the princess's hand in marriage and ordered the priest to be chased out of the city.

The man couldn't accept his fate and fervently prayed to the Creator for help. God sent an angel who commanded the monk to follow a beautiful bird. The colorful creature led our lover to a coffee tree, from which Ali gathered the fruit and prepared an aromatic beverage. He offered it to passing pilgrims, who, captivated by the infusion's stimulating properties, spread the word throughout the city . Eventually, news of the mysterious remedy reached the king, who decided to offer his daughter's hand in marriage to Ali in exchange for the recipe for this extraordinary concoction. The man agreed, and they all lived happily ever after, sipping delicious coffee .

Coffee – learn interesting facts about this extraordinary drink

Despite the undeniable charm of these stories, it's generally accepted that coffee was discovered differently. This doesn't mean, however, that its history and properties aren't rich in interesting facts. Discover how many incredible facts about coffee you might not have known before .

Coffee like a human being – it comes from the Dark Continent

Currently, the largest coffee producer is undoubtedly Brazil. It is said that as many as one in three beans comes from the largest South American country. Vietnam, Indonesia, and Colombia are also considered coffee giants. However, indigenous coffee comes from a completely different part of the world. Its roots lie in Ethiopia , where, as early as the 1st millennium BC, coffee was harvested from naturally growing coffee trees and then cooked with butter and salt. However, coffee's first surge in popularity occurred much later and is linked to the Arab world.

A universal name with many meanings

Coffee is such an intriguing phenomenon that even its name offers interesting facts. The etymology of this word is most likely related to the Arabic word kahwa , which can have various meanings, but one of the most frequently cited is "Arabic wine." What does this grainy infusion have in common with the alcoholic beverage made from grapes? The Muslim religion forbids the consumption of alcohol, forcing them to find an attractive alternative. Coffee proved to be an excellent choice for this purpose, and over time began to expand into new territories. The arrival of coffee in new countries also led to the adaptation of its name – the Arabic kahwa evolved into the Turkish kahve , which gave rise to the Italian caffè and the English coffee .

Coffee, something more than just a drink

The importance of coffee in Arab civilization is demonstrated by the consequences of opposing it within that culture. A certain governor of Mecca learned this lesson when he tried to enforce a ban on the beverage in 1511. The sultan was displeased by this decree, and he sentenced the unfortunate man to death , ordering the execution to take place in a place where coffee was held in almost sacred esteem.

Arab merchants quickly realized how valuable coffee was. At the beginning of the second millennium AD, Yemen, the global coffee monopolist, introduced the death penalty for anyone attempting to export sprouting coffee beans. Only "dead" beans intended for food were permitted for trade. It's no wonder, then, that the Yemeni city of Mocha became the true capital of the coffee world . Interestingly, the beans from there were characterized by unique, chocolatey notes, giving rise to the name mocha coffee—a drink composed of espresso, hot milk, and dark or milk chocolate.

These aren't the only interesting facts about coffee we can discover while exploring Arab culture. An interesting point can be found in ancient law. In the Arab countries of the time, a wife could only request a divorce from her husband in one situation: when he was unable to provide her with sufficient coffee !

The unstoppable power of coffee

These days, it's hard to imagine modern Europe without coffee. It's estimated that the average European drinks up to 160 liters of the beverage annually. The Finns lead the pack on the Old Continent , consuming nearly 13 kg of coffee per capita annually. By comparison, the average Polish coffee drinker consumes 3.4 kg of coffee annually. The current fascination with this beverage may give the false impression that coffee has always been appreciated by Europeans. However, the truth is quite different.

Throughout the centuries, Europeans from various countries have repeatedly shied away from coffee. However, it has managed to overcome both secular and religious aversions. When the beans arrived in Venice in 1600, some monks appealed to Pope Clement VIII to ban this "Muslim" brew. However, the head of the Church recognized that coffee's incredible benefits were a divine gift, and it would be a sin to impose restrictions on its consumption on the faithful .

Charles II, the 17th-century king of England, had a slightly different opinion. Displeased with the growing popularity of coffeehouses, he decided to order their immediate closure. To his surprise, his subjects revolted; after eleven days, the coffeehouses reopened, and respect for the unwise ruler plummeted significantly.

Attempts were also made to curb the phenomenon of coffee beans in Sweden in the 17th century. Drinking coffee was banned, citing its negative impact on productivity and fertility, among other things. Due to high taxes on the product, a black market in coffee flourished. The authorities, upon noticing citizens drinking smuggled coffee, decided to confiscate coffee accessories , such as cups and saucers, as a punishment. Over time, it became clear that such objections to the beverage were no longer present in Sweden. This is evidenced by the popularity of the expression "Fika!" , which means a coffee and cake break . But it's more than that. A time when sweet snacks and ceramic mugs filled with the brew are in vogue – a moment of delightful relaxation spent with loved ones.

The extraordinary journey of coffee – from beans in a pot to exquisite coffee specialties

The shepherd Kaldi, carrying the astonishing berries to the monks, probably had no idea how much their uses and serving methods would expand centuries later. As a curiosity, we've decided to briefly present a few popular ways in which coffee can be served .

• Espresso is one of the first associations that comes to mind when thinking of classic Italian coffee. This small-batch coffee, typically 30 ml, is most often associated with Italy and is characterized by its richness and intensity. It is served in a 50 ml cup with a glass of room-temperature water. Espresso can be used to prepare other coffees and coffee drinks.
• Cappuccino , a well-known and beloved milk coffee specialty, takes its name from the Capuchin Order. It requires espresso, warm milk, and milk froth to make. Traditionally, it is served in 150-200 ml cups, with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
• A latte is, simply put, coffee with milk. It is most often served in taller glasses with a ratio of one part espresso to two parts frothed milk.
• A latte macchiato is an espresso with a small amount of frothed milk. It consists of three layers: milk, espresso, and milk foam. Its greatest advantage is its subtle, mild flavor. It is prepared by pouring the milk into the glass first, then adding a delicate foam, and finally pouring the espresso.
• Flat white is a coffee drink that's becoming increasingly popular among Polish coffee enthusiasts. This composition, usually believed to originate in Australia or New Zealand, is made with espresso poured over hot, lightly frothed milk. Unlike a latte, a flat white lacks the foam characteristic of the latter.

As you can see, you can serve coffee in many different ways. And it's worth serving, because consuming it brings many benefits to the coffee drinker . Among the benefits of coffee are:

• stimulation of the body provided by natural caffeine,
• content of vitamins B2, B5, niacin, potassium, manganese and magnesium ,
• the content of antioxidants that enable the neutralization of free radicals,
• reducing the secretion of histamine, which helps reduce the effects of allergy attacks ,
• good effect on short-term memory,
• positive effect on the bronchi – drinking coffee is recommended for problems with shortness of breath .

If you want to ensure these properties, as well as the excellent taste and aroma of your coffee, avoid instant coffee available in supermarkets. A much better choice is the carefully selected whole bean coffee offered by LaCava Coffee Roastery . Our selection includes excellent beans from around the world, including a unique organic coffee blend of beans from Nicaragua and Rwanda.

Summary

Coffee and its fascinating facts are a vast subject, so we've chosen a few that should be included in every true coffee lover's repertoire of anecdotes. These unassuming beans have inspired artists and inventors – Goethe and Beethoven loved coffee, and the first webcam was invented in Cambridge to help scientists and students across the building check whether their brew was ready.

LaCava customers can also draw inspiration from the unique flavor and aroma of their favorite beverage. Simply explore our roastery's selection and expand your coffee collection with new, unique blends. We also offer high-quality equipment , such as burr grinders or coffee makers, perfect for lovers of alternative brewing methods. We invite you to shop.