Just as in any other area, some coffee facts are pertinent and useful, while others may be safely relegated to the realm of trivia; interesting, but hardly vital information. In the interest of informing and perhaps amusing, here are some interesting facts about the beverage of champions: coffee! Some useful, others just fun; have a look.
Coffee Facts About The Coffee Tree
Typically, a coffee tree takes about five years from germination to maturity. A mature coffee plant produces fruit (called coffee cherries) which ripens to a red color. A single mature plant can produce about a pound of coffee beans (weight after roasting) annually.
Some coffee facts about the coffee tree: There are two varieties of the coffee tree which are the most often cultivated, these are the Arabica (Coffea Arabica) and the Robusta (Coffea Robusta). Coffee cherries normally contain two beans per fruit, but sometimes a single bean is seen; this is called a peaberry. Three beans are rarely found in a fruit, but are considered a sign of good luck by coffee farmers.
Generally, coffee cherries are picked by hand from the coffee tree. The Equatorial region is where most coffee is produced. In the United States, for instance the only coffee growing areas are those closest to the Equator: Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
Coffee Facts About The Beverage
Brazil is the worlds largest producer of coffee, making over 35% of the worlds supply. Next to petroleum, coffee is the most traded commodity on world markets. As a beverage, coffee ranks third in popularity worldwide – certainly coffee is a very popular beverage, loved by people everywhere.
Originally, coffee was drunk for it's medical qualities. Modern research bears out this view; coffee has many properties which positively impact health. Coffee facts about these properties are interesting to many due to the current concern over antioxidants, which coffee happens to be rich in; yet another compelling reason to have a cup!
These coffee facts demonstrate the importance of coffee to the dedicated coffee lover and occasional coffee drinker alike. Interesting to the enthusiast and layman alike, coffee facts are educational for anyone curious about the effects of coffee on one's health and well being, both mental and physical.