That coffee can generate so many tales of romance and intrigue but also be at the heart of such a hard-headed business is truly amazing. From its start all the way up to present day, you will find that this dark and pungent drink has cured, enriched and fascinated millions, if not billions the world over.
Legends abound about the origins of the coffee plant. We have found that the most constant historic information puts coffees’ discovery in Ethiopia somewhere around 500 BC. From there, upon observing the stimulating effects of its berries, travelers brought it with them to Arabia, where it acquired the name.
The Renaissance not only gave birth the arts and sciences but also to the growing production and distribution world wide of this new hedonistic drink. It was in the late 18th century that both plantations and drinking popularity now would spread around the world and across the ocean to both South and North America. People of every class and race were consuming this beverage.
Over the course of the following centuries the health effects that were due to coffee certainly can seem miraculous. Lets find out some of the real facts based upon scientific research. A study from Harvard followed over 100,000 individuals for almost 20 years they came to the conclusion that general to moderate use of coffee products will assist diabetics. Other studies show that male sperm swims faster, longer and thus farther in liquids laced with coffee. These speedy sperm are being stimulated by the caffeine kick we all love.
As with wine, the antioxidants in coffee have been touted as helping keep hearts healthier, though debates rage about whether the pros outweigh the cons. Coffee is a diuretic and encourages more frequent urination, and some assert that the stimulation from caffeine leads to long term nerve degeneration. Caffeine withdrawal can lead to increased sleeplessness. And, caffeine is a natural insecticide.
What ever side you come down on in this debate coffee is here to stay. Just the sheer economics alone will guarantee that. As a commodity coffee is second only to oil. You will find it exchanges in New York, Hong Kong, London to Lima. There are currently over 500 billion cups of coffee consumed each year. Called ‘black gold’ we see it only growing in popularity. While in most cases adults drink only one or more cups daily, retail sales hovers near the $12 billion level annually.
Lets add the number of raw beans, grinders, roasters, brewers and cups bought for the home to those retail figures and the numbers reach amazing proportions. With the rise in both basic commodity and specialty retail prices, the future for coffee businesses continues to look bright. There are close to 24,000 coffee outlets in just the USA in 2006.
The home is starting to replace specialty coffee shops for your favorite cup of coffee. Most people make a cup at home and then buy one from a coffee shop on the way to work. There are so many blends of coffee we will write an article on that in the future. At home you have the choice of roasters, types of brewers or splurge on your own espresso machine. Since espresso was invented in 1901 it has continued its rise in popularity ever since.