Known for its strong aroma and bitter taste, coffee is probably one of the most cherished brews all over the globe.
The aromatic coffee beans, as we know them, are actually roasted seeds of the coffee fruit. The flavour and taste of coffee depend on the type of coffee bean and the degree to which the coffee beans are roasted. The two most popular varieties of coffee are Arabica and Robusta. However, Arabic coffee is considered to be of superior quality and it possesses an excellent aroma, flavour, and taste.
Did you know?
An estimated 400 billion cups of coffee are drunk per day in the world.
Coffee’s success as a beverage is mostly attributed to the caffeine content it possesses and the energising effects it has on the human body. But, it might interest you to know that your daily cup of coffee also provides you with several health benefits. Coffee is suggested to be helpful in reducing depression, preventing breast cancer and protecting liver health. It is a rich source of antioxidants and other biological compounds, which help rejuvenate the body and promote longevity.
However, excess coffee consumption can negatively affect health and may lead to insomnia, headaches, acidity and other issues.
Read on to know more about the health benefits and side effects of coffee.
Some basic facts about coffee:
- Botanical name: Coffea
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Common name: Coffee
- Sanskrit name: काफी (Coffee) / पीयूष (Piyush)
- Parts used: Coffee beans
- Geographical distribution: The coffee plant is believed to have originated from the Kaffa region of Ethiopia. It is a native to the tropical areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Brazil is the largest producer of coffee in the world. Hawaii, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Brazil, Ethiopia, Kenya, India, and Yemen, are a few places where coffee plants are cultivated. In India, the three largest coffee producing states include Karnataka, Kerela and Tamil Nadu.
- Interesting Fact: Coffee is the second most commonly traded product in the world after oil.