Coffee is a part of daily life for billions of people across the globe. Whether it’s your morning ritual, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a social tradition, coffee plays a central role in cultures worldwide. But how much do you really know about your cup of joe? Behind the familiar aroma and taste lies a rich world of history, science, and quirky trivia that even the biggest coffee lovers might not know.
In this article, we’ll explore fascinating and lesser-known facts about coffee that might just change the way you see your favorite drink.
Coffee Is Technically a Fruit
That’s right — coffee doesn’t start as a bean. The coffee “bean” is actually the seed inside a fruit known as a cherry. These cherries grow on coffee trees, which are tropical evergreen shrubs. Each cherry typically contains two seeds, which become the coffee beans we roast and brew.
In some cases, a cherry might only contain one seed — this rare occurrence is called a peaberry, and it’s often considered to produce a sweeter and more flavorful cup of coffee.
The Most Expensive Coffee Comes From Animal Droppings
One of the most expensive and controversial types of coffee is called kopi luwak, also known as civet coffee. It’s made using beans that have been eaten and excreted by the Asian palm civet, a small mammal found in Southeast Asia.
The idea is that the animal’s digestive enzymes ferment the beans, creating a smoother, less acidic taste. While some praise the unique flavor, the practice has raised significant ethical concerns due to the mistreatment of civets in commercial production.
A similar version called Black Ivory Coffee is produced using Thai elephants and can cost over $500 per pound.
Coffee Was Once Banned in Several Countries
Believe it or not, coffee hasn’t always been universally loved. In the 16th and 17th centuries, coffee was banned in various parts of the world due to its stimulating effects and the fear of it encouraging rebellious thought.
- In Mecca, coffee was banned in 1511 by conservative religious leaders who associated it with radical thinking.
- In 17th-century Italy, some members of the Catholic Church called for a ban on coffee, claiming it was “the devil’s drink.” However, Pope Clement VIII tasted it and declared it “so delicious it would be a sin to let only the infidels enjoy it.”
- Coffee was also banned in the Ottoman Empire under Sultan Murad IV, who reportedly punished coffee drinkers harshly.
Decaf Doesn’t Mean Caffeine-Free
Many people think decaf coffee is completely free of caffeine, but that’s not quite true. Decaffeinated coffee still contains small amounts of caffeine — usually about 2 to 5 milligrams per cup, compared to the 70 to 140 milligrams in a regular cup of coffee.
The decaffeination process involves washing the beans with water, carbon dioxide, or solvents to remove most of the caffeine. While it drastically reduces the stimulant content, it doesn’t eliminate it entirely.
Coffee Can Fuel Your Car — Literally
Used coffee grounds contain residual oils that can be converted into biodiesel, an alternative fuel source. Scientists and engineers have experimented with creating biofuel from used coffee waste, which could offer a sustainable option for reducing environmental impact.
In fact, a car nicknamed the “Car-puccino” was once powered by roasted coffee granules. While not commercially viable (yet), it shows just how versatile coffee can be beyond the cup.
Coffee Sent the First Webcam Into Action
The very first webcam in history wasn’t used for security or video chatting — it was used to monitor a coffee pot. In 1991, researchers at the University of Cambridge set up a webcam to keep an eye on the coffee machine in their computer lab. This allowed staff to see if there was fresh coffee before walking all the way to the break room.
This quirky innovation led to one of the earliest examples of live internet streaming, and yes — the coffee pot became an internet sensation.
Beethoven Was Obsessed With Counting Coffee Beans
Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the greatest composers of all time, had a very specific coffee habit. He insisted on using exactly 60 beans per cup. Every time he made coffee, he would carefully count out the beans by hand.
While that might sound extreme, it shows just how particular people can be about their coffee — a tradition that lives on with modern-day coffee aficionados and baristas.
Brazil Once Used Coffee as Currency
Brazil is the world’s largest coffee producer today, but its relationship with coffee runs deep in other ways too. In the early 20th century, Brazil had such an excess of coffee that the government used sacks of it as a form of currency and collateral.
At one point, Brazil even burned huge amounts of coffee to control prices and reduce supply. The idea of using coffee as money might seem odd, but it’s a testament to how economically and culturally important the crop was — and still is.
The Word “Coffee” Has Arabic Roots
The word “coffee” comes from the Arabic word qahwa, which originally referred to a type of wine. When coffee began to be consumed in the Arab world as a substitute for alcohol, the term qahwa was repurposed.
As the drink spread to Turkey, it became kahve, and then caffè in Italian. Finally, it evolved into “coffee” in English. The transformation of the word reflects the journey of the beverage itself across cultures and languages.
Coffee Plants Can Live for Over 100 Years
A healthy coffee tree can live for over a century, although its most productive years are typically between 7 and 20 years of age. Properly cared for, these plants can yield beans season after season, often being passed down through generations of coffee farmers.
Some specialty farms even cultivate trees that have been producing beans for decades, giving their coffee a rich backstory as well as a rich flavor.
There Are Over 120 Coffee Species — But Only Two Dominate
Although there are over 120 species of coffee plants, nearly all the coffee consumed globally comes from just two: Coffea arabica (Arabica) and Coffea canephora (Robusta).
- Arabica is known for its smooth, aromatic flavor and is considered higher quality. It grows at higher altitudes and is more sensitive to climate changes.
- Robusta is more bitter and has higher caffeine content. It’s more resilient and often used in instant coffee and espresso blends for its strong body.
The other species are mostly wild, rare, or still being studied for their potential in disease resistance and flavor variety.
Final Sip: Coffee Is More Than Just a Drink
Coffee is so much more than a beverage — it’s a cultural icon, a social connector, a historical player, and even a scientific curiosity. The next time you take a sip of your morning brew, remember that it’s part of a vast world filled with surprises, legends, and scientific marvels.
From the digestive tracts of civets to Beethoven’s bean-counting obsession, coffee’s story is as rich and layered as its taste. And as our understanding of coffee continues to grow, so too does our appreciation for this incredible plant and the people who bring it to our cups.
