Buzz
Did you know that 83% of American adults are coffee drinkers? As the second most traded commodity globally, coffee is not only a beloved beverage but also a cultural cornerstone. Beyond its delightful taste, coffee holds a wealth of intriguing stories and historical significance that have shaped societies worldwide.
10. A Surge of Coffee-Related Crime in Kenya
Kenya's coffee industry is facing a wave of theft and violence, as a single kilogram of dried beans can equal a week's earnings. To combat this, a specialized police unit has been established, yet armed raids remain a daily threat. Farmers are now resorting to sleeping in their fields to protect their crops. The situation is dire, with security guards at coffee facilities being attacked with arrows and clubs. In response, local communities have taken justice into their own hands, leading to public lynchings of apprehended criminals.
Although coffee is cultivated on countless small farms across Kenya, only licensed entities handle exports. The rampant theft in the industry thrives due to corruption that extends to the highest levels. With 5 million Kenyans relying on coffee for their livelihoods, resolving this issue poses a significant challenge for the government.
9. Central America Grapples with Coffee Rust Crisis
Coffee rust, a fungal infection, targets the leaves of coffee plants, leaving behind orange-colored patches. This disease, which has plagued crops since the 1800s, ultimately destroys the plants and threatens farmers globally. The Arabica variety, prized by coffee enthusiasts, is particularly vulnerable, and regions cultivating Arabica beans are now facing a severe outbreak.
In February 2013, Guatemala declared an agricultural emergency in response to the coffee rust crisis, allocating $14 million for pesticide purchases. The disease has affected 70% of the nation's coffee crop, with similar devastation across the region. As a result, consumers may soon face higher prices for their favorite coffee in the coming years.
8. Caffeine in Coffee Serves to Attract Bees
While most online coffee lists mention the tale of goat herders discovering coffee after noticing their goats' lively behavior from eating coffee berries, few explain why coffee contains caffeine. Interestingly, caffeine deters pests like slugs but also influences pollinators, including bees. Researchers believe bees experience a buzz from the caffeine found in the flowers of coffee plants.
Studies reveal that caffeine enhances bees' long-term memory. It alters their brain chemistry, making the flowers more memorable and increasing the likelihood of revisiting similar plants. Despite the vast differences between bees and humans, some scientists propose that caffeine's effects might trace back to our shared ancestors, as it influences neurological functions on a fundamental level.
7. The Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony
The Ethiopian coffee ceremony, known as bunna, plays a central role in both home and social settings. This elaborate preparation process can span several hours, beginning with the washing of coffee beans and culminating in the ceremonial serving of the brew. In Ethiopian culture, women traditionally perform this ritual, and young girls are taught its intricacies from an early age. It is a daily practice and a customary way to greet guests warmly.
The ceremony begins with fresh green beans roasted in a pan, accompanied by the burning of fragrant flowers to create an inviting scent. Once prepared, the coffee is poured into cups and often mixed with sugar, salt, or butter. This tradition is occasionally showcased in Ethiopian restaurants in the US, the UK, and other parts of the world.
6. Overdosing on Coffee and the Reality of Addiction
Caffeine, like many substances, can be toxic in excessive amounts. The lethal dose of caffeine is roughly equivalent to 100 cups of coffee, though the sheer volume of water consumed would prove fatal before the caffeine could.
However, coffee still contains enough caffeine to cause harm, particularly for those unaccustomed to it. A 17-year-old girl in England was hospitalized after consuming seven double espressos, experiencing mood swings, elevated body temperature, and heart palpitations. She vowed never to drink coffee again. Overconsumption can also lead to caffeinism, a form of addiction characterized by a daily intake of six or more cups of brewed coffee.
5. England's 17th-Century Coffee Ban
Coffee arrived in England during the 17th century, quickly becoming a staple in coffee houses—82 of which existed in London by the mid-1660s. However, not everyone welcomed the beverage. A group of women, blaming coffee for their husbands' lack of virility, claimed it rendered men “as barren as deserts.” This movement, led by “several Thousands of Buxome Good-Women, Languishing in Extremity of Want,” alongside other concerns, prompted King Charles II to attempt a coffee ban in 1675.
The public strongly opposed this decision, and Charles soon abandoned the idea. Coffee houses continued to thrive as hubs for the scientific and literary communities, attracting figures such as Isaac Newton, Robert Hooke, Samuel Johnson, and Alexander Pope.
4. The Art of Latte and Coffee Tasting Competitions
Competition knows no bounds, even when it comes to beverages. This drive for excellence has given rise to the World Cup Tasters Championship, where participants rely on their senses of smell and taste to swiftly identify coffees from various global regions.
Coffee tasting is just one of the events at the annual World Coffee Event, recently held in Nice, France. Among the highlights is latte art, a visually stunning discipline that translates beautifully online. Using only steamed milk and espresso, skilled artists craft intricate designs on the drink's surface. Popular motifs include swirls and leaves, while some go further, creating images of dragons, cartoon characters, and teddy bears—the latter being so charming that drinking them feels almost wrong.
3. Contamination in Coffee
Coffee rust isn't the only fungal threat to coffee plants. Ochratoxin A, a toxic substance produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium fungi, can also contaminate coffee. European regulations limit ochratoxin levels to five parts per billion in ground coffee and 10 parts per billion in instant coffee—because, let's face it, instant coffee drinkers get less attention. Discovered in coffee in 1988, a subsequent study revealed that 7 percent of shipments exceeded safe levels. Thanks to efforts by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, average contamination in exports dropped by over 25 percent between 1998 and 2004.
Ochratoxin isn't the only harmful substance found in coffee. In 2003, one person died and 15 others were hospitalized due to suspected food poisoning. Initially blamed on sandwiches, doctors later identified the cause as someone spiking the coffee pot with arsenic. For the town of New Sweden, this tragic incident remains the sole event notable enough to earn a mention on their Wikipedia page.
2. Recycling Coffee Grounds
Only around 20 percent of a coffee bean contributes to its flavor and aroma—the remaining 80 percent is flavorless plant fiber. This results in massive amounts of waste generated daily during coffee production, amounting to hundreds of thousands of tons. Scientists are actively exploring innovative ways to repurpose this leftover material.
Researchers at the Maine Technology Institute have explored converting used coffee grounds into fuel pellets for energy generation. One coffee producer already sends its waste to a biomass facility, where it is burned alongside wood.
Another team of scientists has developed a method to create an alcoholic beverage from coffee grounds. By fermenting and distilling the grounds, they produce a drink similar to whiskey. The creators describe it as having “organoleptic quality acceptable for human consumption,” though they might want to refine their marketing pitch.
1. Coffee Consumption During Pregnancy
Pregnancy advice often includes long lists of what to avoid, and coffee frequently makes the cut. This is partly because studies suggest that women who consume less coffee tend to have healthier pregnancies. However, the situation isn't so straightforward. Women experiencing more nausea also tend to have healthier pregnancies, and those feeling nauseous are less likely to crave a caramel latte with sprinkles.
Current research indicates no direct link between coffee consumption and pregnancy complications, as long as intake stays below three cups per day.
