Coffee is drunk by more people on earth than any other beverage. Americans in total consume the most coffee in the world but on an individual basis, the world's champion coffee drinkers are the Finns. An average American drinks about two and a half cups daily but a Finn averages about five cups a day. Western Europeans are in fact the most ardent fans of coffee. The average Swede drinks close to 14 kilograms of coffee a year!

Coffee, so popular in the West, however will only grow in the tropics. Coffee plants need temperatures from 25 to 30 degree Centigrade and about 150cm of rain each year. The two most common species grown are the Arabian and the African. The Arabian variety is now grown widely in South America.

Coffee is obtained by brewing the seeds found in the berries. The seeds contain caffeine, a type of alkaloid that causes mild stimulation the brain and the heart, a sort of instant tonic. Caffeine causes gastric acidity, so too much coffee may be bad for those with gastric problems. Caffeine is also associated with nervousness.

The side effects of caffeine is still being debated. Nevertheless, decaffeinated coffee - caffeine-free coffee, is becoming increasingly popular. It is especially popular among drinkers aged 40 and above - the age group most concerned about health. Coffee "gourmets" however argue that decaffeinated coffee does not taste like real coffee. This can hardly be true since caffeine which constitutes only two per cent of the seed, has no smell and very little taste. For those who prefer no caffeine at all there are coffee "substitutes" made from chicory and other herbs.

"Instant" coffee is made by actually brewing the coffee in the factory and then drying the concentrated brew. These dried particles are what you find in your jar. Coffee lovers also shun instant coffee. They accuse instant coffee drinkers of putting time before taste. Americans like percolated coffee with a touch of sugar and milk. The French has a liking towards cafe au lait (or better known as latte), which is made up of warm milk and coffee in equal proportions. Many Europeans choose espresso, a thickly-textured and strong coffee drunk without milk. Whichever way it is prepared, coffee is consumed by one-third of the world's population.

Reference:
1. http://www.bigsiteofamazingfac ts.com/history-of-coffee

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