Coffee

Coffee is the second most traded product in the world after petroleum. Worldwide coffee production tips the scales at about 6 million metric tonnes. Legend has it that Ethiopian shepherds first noticed the effects of caffeine when they saw their goats appearing to become frisky and dance after eating coffee berries. Originally, coffee was eaten. African tribes mixed coffee berries with animal fats, roll them into balls, and eat them on their nomadic journeys! (similar to powerbar) The rise of Islam contributed greatly to the popularity of coffee. This black drink is popular in many religious ceremonies because it kept the Muslims awake and alert during their nightly prayers 70% of the world consumes Arabica coffee, which is mild and aromatic. Other 30% drinks Robusta, which is more bitter tasting and has 50% more caffeine. Coffee grows on trees. The bean is actually the seed inside of a bright red berry. Coffee berries are picked, dried, and stripped down until a green, yellow, red bean is left. The beans are roasted at around 500F. The bean will pop and double in size. The bean will pop once more and it is done. A Belgian living in Guatemala invented the first instant coffee in 1906 and later immigrated to the United States. His name, ironically enough, was George Washington. The Italians drink their espresso with sugar, the Germans and Swiss with equal parts of hot chocolate, the Mexicans - with cinnamon, the Belgians - with chocolate. Moroccans drink their coffee with peppercorns, the Ethiopians - with a pinch of salt. Coffee drinkers in the Middle East usually add spices. Whipped cream is the favourite amongst Austrians. The Egyptians are extremely fond of pure and strong coffee. They seldom add sugar to it, nor milk nor cream. Beethoven, who was a coffee lover, was so particular about his coffee that he always counted 60 beans each cup when he prepared his brew. 1 kilogram of roasted coffee requires 4,000 - 5,000 coffee beans. Regarded as the largest retail coffee chain, with over 15,000 stores worldwide, Starbucks actually sells more milk by volume than coffee.

Caffeine can enhance athletic endurance and performance. Until 2004, caffeine was on the International Olympic Committee list of prohibited substances. Athletes who tested positive for more than 12 micrograms of caffeine per milliliter of urine (about 5 cups of coffee) were banned from the Olympic Games. Caffeine has now been removed from the list of prohibited substances Coffee can be good for you! Coffee can increase the effectiveness of pain killers, reduce headaches and can help fight asthma, possibly due to the enhanced adrenal effect from the caffeine. Coffee may reduce the risk for some cancers and Parkinson's disease. Recent studies have shown that caffeine reduces the incidence of diabetes by 54% for men and 30% for women. Lastly, coffee's stimulant effects and fat burning potential has some in the medical field pushing it as a means of lowering the incidence of heart disease.