The first coffee shop opened in 15th-century Constantinople, where the Turks thought the drink was an aphrodisiac.

James Mason patented the first American coffee percolator in 1865.

The term “Cuppa Joe” came from “G.I. Joe,” who always had his coffee.

  Coffee is the most popular beverage worldwide with over 400 billion cups consumed each year

It is estimated that 100 million Americans drink a total of 350 million cups of coffee a day

   79% of coffee drinkers consume their coffee at home.                       

   91% of coffee drinkers consume their coffee at breakfast

  The workplace is the second most prominent location where people drink coffee

Caffeine is on the International Olympic Committee list of prohibited substances. Athletes who test positive for more than 12 micrograms of caffeine per milliliter of urine may be banned from the Olympic Games. This level may be reached after drinking about 5 cups of coffee. Ouch! Any coffee athletics out there?

The word “coffee” was at one time a term for wine, but was later used to describe a black drink made from berries of the coffee tree. This black drink replaced wine in many religious ceremonies because it kept the Mohammedans awake and alert during their nightly prayers, so they honored it with the name they had originally given to wine.

When the beans reaches the temperature of 400F during the roasting process, the beans “crack.” The bean develop oils in a  process called pyolysis. The outer part of the beans darkens. When the beans “crack” a second time, the hot beans are then dumped from the roaster and cooled immediately, usually with cold air. During the process of roasting coffee beans, coffee oil gathers in pockets throughout the bean. This substance is forced out to the surface of the beans of darker roasts, as moisture is lost. Hence the bean has this oily appearance.

 The word ‘cappuccino’ is the result of several derivations, the original of which began in 16th century. The Capuchin order of friars, established after 1525, played an important role in bringing Catholicism back to Reformation Europe. Its Italian name came from the long, pointed cowl, or cappuccino, derived from cappuccio, “hood,” that was worn as part of the order’s habit. The French version of cappuccino was capuchin, from which came English Capuchin. In Italian cappuccino went on to describe espresso coffee mixed or topped with steamed milk or cream, so called because the color of the coffee resembled the color of the habit of a Capuchin friar. The first use of cappuccino in English is recorded in 1948 in a work about San Francisco. There is also the story line that says that the term comes from the fact that the coffee is dark, like the monk’s robe, and the cap is likened to the color of the monk’s head.

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 cardamom and 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. They serve unsweeteened coffee to mourners and sweetened coffee at weddings. The Italians are the unrivaled World Masters of Espresso.

During the American Civil War the Union soldiers were issued eight pounds of ground roasted coffee as part of their personal ration of one hundred pounds of food. And they had another choice: ten pounds of green coffee beans.

Crema is a golden-browish foam that covers a freshly brewed cup of espresso. It is only made by a high-pressured method of extraction. An even thicker layer of crema also helps keep the heat and aroma of espresso. Enjoy!

“Expresso is not a word; it comes from the same root as “express” as in “The Express Train.” The term is ESPRESSO. It comes from the Latinate root for “Press”, or “Under Pressure”. In many places if you order “expresso”, you will be politely ignored.

Dorothy Jones of Boston was the first American coffee trader. It was in 1670 that she was granted a license to sell coffee.

We say coffee beans although they are really berries

According to Scheha Beddin, an Arab author, Mufti of Aden were the first people to drink coffee (who lived during the beginning of 9th century.)

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.

The coffee bean is called “bunnu” in Arabic.

The original Cappuccino machines were true works of art in the inimitable Italian style. Massive, ornate, and impressive steam machines designed to brew coffee and foam milk in a stimulating and entertaining ritual. Much of the enjoyment of this exotic Italian classic was watching the server make it in the elegant Cappuccino machine, with skill and showmanship.

The inventors of Cappuccino decided that it’s preparation should be as dramatic as it’s distinguished taste and appearance. So they designed an appropriately impressive Cappuccino machine.

Until the tenth century, coffee was considered a food. Ethiopian tribesmen would mix the coffee berries with animal fat, roll them into balls, and eat them on their nomadic journeys!

The word “tip” dates back to the old London coffeehouses. Conspicuously placed brass boxes etched with the inscription, “To Insure Promptness,” encouraged customers to pay for efficient service. The resulting acronym, TIP, has become a byword