10 Weird and Wonderful Coffee Facts You Probably Don’t Know

While coffee is an everyday essential for offices, businesses and homes, most of us don’t think twice before gulping down the beverage several times a day. You might be shopping for office coffee supplies, Nescafé coffee, or coffee pods, but do you really know much about this incredible plant?

Many of us don’t, but it’s about time to change this. Maybe next time, when you are placing an order for instant coffee, you’ll feel more clued up and have an even greater appreciation for it. Continue reading to discover some fascinating and surprising facts about coffee that will impress your colleagues and friends at work.

Finland drinks the most coffee worldwide

Interestingly, it isn’t the US or the UK that drinks the most coffee, but Finland. Ranking as the 8th largest country in Europe, they also hold the record for consuming the most coffee. According to the World Population Review, the average Finn drinks nearly four cups a day, which equates to around 26 pounds of coffee per person, annually.

The beverage is so popular in Finland that two 10 minute coffee breaks are now legally mandatory for workers per day. Impressive!

Coffee is actually a fruit

Many people might know this, but realising our coffee pods and capsules, or instant coffee, actually come from a plant isn’t always obvious. Coffee comes from the seeds of a cherry like fruit, and it is the seeds inside these that are roasted, ground and then brewed. It’s quite a long process, but one everyone is eternally grateful for!

The most expensive coffee in the world can cost up to $100 a cup

Although most of us complain about paying £5 or £6 for a takeaway coffee, it’s nothing when you think about paying $100. Kopi Luwak, or civet coffee, is an Indonesian specialty made from coffee cherries that have been eaten, partially digested and then excreted by the Asian palm civet cat. Typically, prices range from $35-100 a cup.

The world’s first coffee house opened in Turkey in 1475

Coffee is such a big part of our day to day life, that it can be hard to imagine a world without it. For many of us, taking a trip to our local coffee shop is ingrained into our daily routine. But the first coffee shop opened in Turkey in 1475, established in Istanbul, known as “Kiva Han.”

Was coffee discovered by goats?

This is more of a legend rather than a fact. But Ethiopian legend claims coffee was found by the goats of a herder named Kaldi, who noticed them dancing energetically after eating red coffee berries, which led to the future discovery of coffee for human consumption.

Coffee is the second most traded commodity

Coffee is as popular as ever. It won’t surprise you that after oil, coffee is one of the most valuable global commodities, with millions of people around the world depending on the plant for their livelihood. The top growing coffee areas around the world include Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia and Ethiopia.

Coffee drinkers may live longer

Those trying to shake the habit might be relieved to know that many studies point to moderate coffee consumption being the key to living longer lives. This is because some studies claim coffee can reduce the risk of heart diseases and diseases of the gut.

Coffee was once banned

Many of us can’t imagine a day or life without coffee. But in the 16th century, leaders in Mecca tried to outlaw coffee, fearing it encouraged radical thinking. Later on, rulers in the Ottoman Empire and even Sweden tried to outlaw coffee as they worried about its social and political influence.

Instant coffee dates back to 1901

If you assume instant coffee is a modern invention, you’re wrong! Although it has come a long way in recent years, instant coffee was actually discovered by the Japanese chemist, Satori Kato, in Chicago. IThis crucial discovery would change the way the world drank coffee forever.

Espresso means ‘pressed out’

The name comes from the Italian method of forcing hot water through finely ground coffee. This forms the basis of many popular drinks consumed in cafes today like lattes and cappuccinos or of course, can be consumed on its own.

If these fun facts have inspired you, take this as your sign to stock up on coffee today. We stock a wide range of household brands from Nescafé, Starbucks, Kenco, Tassimo and lots more.

Whether you prefer the ease of instant coffee or prefer a mess free coffee pod, you can find everything for great prices right here.

Enjoyed this blog? Read more of our coffee content below:

• Our Ultimate Nescafé Blend Guide: Choose Your Ideal Coffee Match
• Daily Brew Limits: How Much Coffee Is Actually Safe to Drink?
• How Each Cup of Nescafé Is Working Towards Brewing a Better Tomorrow