10 Things You Didn't Know About Coffee | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

10 Things You Didn't Know About Coffee

It's healthier than your mom told you it was

38
10 Things You Didn't Know About Coffee

Just when you thought you were getting all the basics down, some New York Times article premieres a feature on how many cups of coffee a day you need to avoid Alzheimer's. A Pinterest infographic informs you that the same size drink at Dunkin Donuts does not have the same amount of caffeine energy as the same size drink at Starbucks. The drink, (which is consumed daily by more than 54% of Americans) has been simplified as an unhealthy spending habit downed by the pumpkin-spice flavored cupfuls via Millennials. But actually, there's a whole world of history and knowledge in the bag of brew on your kitchen counter...


1. Coffee isn't a bean. It's a berry.

The fruity pulp of the coffee cherry surrounds the green seed that becomes roasted and sold as the bean you see in stores. It takes roughly 5-6 years after planting for the coffee shrub to actually produce these berries. But, hey- at least you can say your morning cup is really just a cup of fruit juice.

2. Your shot of espresso contains less caffeine than a normal cup of drip coffee.

Throwing back shots of espresso may actually be less efficient than you think. It's all in the volume + brewing method. Coffee Chemistry breaks it down here.

3. There have been prohibitions on coffee.

Multiple, in fact. Throughout early history, the possession of coffee has been straight up punishable in Mecca, Constantinople, Sweden, Prussia, and if you can believe it- Italy. The brew has also come up in multiple religious institutions as to if it should be allowed or not (with some actually calling the drink 'satanic'). Some people just don't want other people to be happy.

4. It is the world's second most traded commodity.

Only after petroleum. And it makes good sense too- petroleum makes cars go. Coffee makes people go.


5. The name "cappuccino" was inspired by monks.

Passing over that one time in history when 16th century clergymen denoted coffee a drink of the devil, one of the most popular artisan preparations of it in later years would be inspired by the robe color (a chocolate brown) of Capuchin monks and nuns: the cappuccino.

6. The first webcam was invented because of coffee.

Ah, the hubris of man and its many, many wild innovations. The first webcam was indeed created to watch the brewing status of a break room coffeepot, by scientists at Cambridge University in 1991. The camera provided a 129x129 pixel grayscale display at a rate of 1 frame per second.

7. Contrary to popular belief, coffee really isn't that dehydrating.

While coffee is teccchnically a diuretic, many people develop a tolerance to its diuretic qualities, if they were ever affected by them at all. More recent studies show that coffee hydrates in a similar fashion to water, which makes sense, given straight coffee is primarily composed of water.

8. The most expensive coffee in the world reels in at $600 a pound.

And it comes from the dung of the Indonesian civet cat. Yes. You read that right. It's cat poop coffee, at its finest. It's called kopi luwak, and is collected from the animal's feces after a meal of coffee berries. The pulp of the berry is removed during digestion, while the seeds (the actual coffee bean) are kept in tact. During this process, a unique fermentation occurs, which gives the coffee its sought-after flavor. After excretion, the discarded beans are collected, washed, dried, and finally roasted. A singular cup of this coffee may run you anywhere from $35 to $100.

9. A cup of coffee contains more antioxidants than a cup of grape juice.

Contrary to what you parents may have rattled off to you as a child to keep you from asking for a sip of their coffee, coffee is actually, well- quite healthy. In a 2005 study, research actually showed that Americans get the vast bulk of their antioxidant need from coffee. Now of course, this doesn't mean you can exclude the necessary benefits found in fruits and veggies from your diet, but, the next time someone harps on you for your third cup of coffee in a day...let them know that you're actually promoting a healthy heart and liver, plus preventing the probability of Parkinson's and type 2 diabetes. (Keep in mind that the sugar-loaded additives in your PSL however...not so much.)


10. Johann Sebastian Bach wrote an entire cantata inspired by coffee addiction.

In other words, my kind of cantata.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

1594
Michael Scott
NBC

Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

16401
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

3443
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments