11 curious coffee facts

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Coffee is one of the worlds most popular drinks, with two billion cups consumed every day worldwide. Here are some interesting facts about coffee you might not know!

1. Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world (the top spot is close between coffee and tea!) with over two billion cups consumed every day, and is the world’s 2nd largest traded commodity, only beaten by crude oil.

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2. The UK hasn’t always been a nation of coffee lovers – today’s ingrained café culture only started to gain momentum after 1993, when the number of coffee outlets shot up by 847% in just 4 years and firmly established themselves as a place not just to grab a drink, but to also socialise, network and work remotely.

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Now an everyday pick-me-up for many, drinking coffee used to be viewed as a way to emulate the glamorous cosmopolitan New York lifestyles showcased in popular US sitcoms like Friends.


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3. There is a museum dedicated entirely to coffee in Dubai which explores the diversity of roasting & brewing styles from around the world.

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4. Coffee is one the most heavily researched commodities in the world, with new research on coffee and health continually getting published.

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5. The amount of caffeine within branded coffees varies considerably depending on; the type of bean, the roast, the amount of coffee used, and the way it's prepared ie. brewed, French press, espresso machine etc. so not all coffees are equal.

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6. It isn’t just a myth that drinking coffee can help get you through your all-nighter! Many studies have shown a clear causal link between consuming caffeine (>=75mg) and increased mental alertness, improved memory and reduced fatigue.

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7. Contrary to popular belief, espresso contains less caffeine than a standard cup of coffee, simply due to serving size differences, so might not necessarily be the best choice if you’re looking for that ‘buzz’.

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8. There actually appears to be more benefits to drinking coffee than harm – research suggests a link between coffee consumption and reduced risk of diabetes type 2, liver diseases and heart disease. It’s the addition of calorific extras such as cream, syrups and sprinkles that can wrack up the calories and fat, making these less of a healthy choice.

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“Kopi Luwak” is an Indonesian coffee made from coffee cherries which have been eaten, partially digested and then defecated by the Asian palm civet (sounds delightful!). It is the most expensive coffee in the world, selling for at least €350 per kilo!

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9. The size of your takeaway coffee can make a huge difference in terms of calories; a large semi-skimmed latte can contain up to 150kcal more than a small semi-skimmed latte from the same chain, so it's definitely worth considering if you really want to ‘go large’ if you’re watching your weight.