1- After water, coffee is the second most consumed beverage in the world.
Coffee’s global popularity comes from its unique blend of flavor, aroma, and stimulating effects. It is consumed in almost every culture and has become a daily ritual for billions of people. The beverage is enjoyed in countless forms — Turkish coffee, espresso, latte, cappuccino, cold brew and many regional variations — which increases its cultural reach.
Several factors contribute to coffee being the world’s second most consumed drink:
Global Coffee Culture: From Turkish coffee stores to Italian espresso bars, from American coffee chains to Ethiopian coffee ceremonies, coffee has a strong cultural presence and traditions across the world.
Economic Importance: Coffee is one of the most traded commodities globally, supporting millions of farmers and workers, especially in countries like Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, and Ethiopia.
Health Connections: Research often highlights potential health benefits when consumed in moderation — such as improved energy levels, antioxidants, and possible reduced risk of certain diseases.
Social Ritual: Coffee is also a social catalyst — people meet “for a coffee” in both personal and professional settings, reinforcing it as part of daily life.
2- Coffee was the first food to be preserved by freezing.
The process of preserving food by freezing first began with coffee during World War II.
3- The world’s most expensive coffee is made from cat feces.
This refers to Kopi Luwak, one of the most expensive coffees in the world. However, the phrase “cat feces” is a simplified description — the coffee is actually produced using beans eaten and excreted by the Asian palm civet, a small animal sometimes called a civet cat, though it’s not a true cat.
4- The name “cappuccino” comes from the clothing of Franciscan monks.
The name “cappuccino” is actually inspired by the Franciscan monks, specifically the Capuchin (Kapusen) order. These monks were known for their distinctive brown robes with a long, pointed hood called a “capuccio.” The light brown color of their clothing closely resembled the creamy, tan shade created when espresso is mixed with steamed milk.
Because of this color similarity, early coffee drinkers in Italy began calling the drink “cappuccino,” meaning “little Capuchin.”
So the famous frothy beverage didn’t just get its name from its ingredients, it was named after monks whose clothing matched the drink’s appearance.
5- Another of the world’s most expensive coffees is made from elephant dung.
This refers to Black Ivory Coffee, one of the rarest and most expensive coffees in the world. Produced in Thailand, this coffee is obtained by elephants gathering coffee berries at an altitude of 1,500 meters. As the cherries pass through the elephant’s digestive system, natural fermentation occurs. Enzymes in the elephant’s stomach break down proteins in the beans — and because proteins cause bitterness, the result is a coffee that is exceptionally smooth, mild, and low in acidity.
6- Caffeine consumed in the evening delays your sleep by approximately 40 minutes.
Caffeine essentially delays your brain’s secretion of melatonin. The melatonin hormone regulates our biological rhythm. It is usually secreted between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Because melatonin is secreted later, your sleep also comes later.
7- The regions of the world that produce coffee are called the “Coffee Belt.”
The regions within the coffee belt contain areas suitable for coffee cultivation. Since the coffee plant requires sun and high temperatures, the coffee belt mainly includes tropical areas. The regions of the world that grow coffee are collectively known as the “Coffee Belt.” This global zone stretches around the equator, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, and includes parts of Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
8- It was a French doctor in the 1600s who discovered adding milk to coffee.
This led to the creation of ‘Cafe Au Laits’. In this type of coffee, only hot milk is added to the coffee. It is different from other milky coffees. The doctor also recommended this coffee for his patients. (First murderer in the history of coffee :P)
9- In ancient Arab culture, divorce was linked to coffee.
In some regions of ancient Arab culture—particularly during the Ottoman and early Middle Eastern traditions—coffee was more than a drink; it held legal and social significance. One of the most interesting examples is its connection to marriage and divorce.
According to historical accounts, a woman had the right to request a divorce if her husband failed to provide her with fresh, good-quality coffee. At that time, coffee was considered essential for daily life and hospitality. It symbolized respect, care, and the husband’s responsibility toward his wife.
This rule came from the belief that:
- Coffee was a basic household necessity, not a luxury
- A husband who didn’t supply coffee was neglecting his duties
- A wife’s comfort and well-being were tied to the household provisions
10- In Japan, there are places where you can enjoy coffee spas.
Japan is famous for its creative and unconventional wellness experiences, and one of the most unique among them is the coffee spa, also known as a coffee onsen. In these special spa facilities, the baths are filled not with plain hot water, but with warm water infused with real coffee.
These coffee spas are believed to offer several benefits:
- Antioxidant-rich water can help rejuvenate and firm the skin
- The aroma of coffee provides relaxation and stress relief
- Warm coffee baths may improve circulation and detoxification
- It offers a refreshing sensory experience unlike ordinary hot springs
11- The lethal dose of coffee has been determined to be 100 cups.
While coffee is widely consumed and generally safe in moderate amounts, extremely high doses of caffeine can be dangerous. Scientists estimate that the lethal dose of caffeine for an average adult is about 10 grams, which roughly corresponds to 80–100 cups of coffee in a very short period.
One of history’s most famous coffee enthusiasts was the French novelist Honoré de Balzac. Known for his intense work ethic and long writing sessions, Balzac reportedly drank up to 50 cups of coffee (don’t tell me I drink too much coffee again lol) a day to stay awake, focused, and inspired while working on his monumental literary collection La Comédie Humaine. He even wrote about the effects of coffee, describing how it “sparks ideas” and “sets the mind in motion.”
Balzac’s habit is often cited as an extreme example of caffeine use among creative individuals — a contrast to the scientific warning about excessive coffee consumption.
