How well do you know coffee?
Billions of cups are drunk every day, yet coffee's story is full of surprises. Six questions, from easy to hard.
Did you know?
- Coffee is grown in more than 70 countries, but most of the world's production comes from just a handful, led by Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia and Ethiopia.
- Espresso is a brewing method, not a type of bean. Hot water is forced through finely ground coffee under pressure in about 25 to 30 seconds.
- Coffee leaves can also be brewed into a tea-like drink. In parts of Ethiopia and Indonesia, people have long used coffee leaves to make a mild, earthy beverage.
From forest shrub to global habit
Coffee plants originated in the highland forests of Ethiopia. By the 15th century, coffee was being cultivated and drunk in Yemen, and from there it spread across the Middle East, then to Europe, Asia and the Americas. Today coffee is one of the most traded agricultural products in the world.
The coffee belt
Coffee grows best in the 'coffee belt', the tropical region between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Arabica prefers higher altitudes and cooler temperatures, while Robusta tolerates heat and grows at lower elevations. Altitude, soil and climate all influence flavour.
From cherry to cup
After harvest, coffee cherries are processed to remove the fruit. In the washed method, the fruit is removed before drying; in the natural method, the whole cherry dries in the sun, giving fruitier flavours. The beans are then roasted, which creates hundreds of aroma compounds.
Coffeehouses and ideas
Coffeehouses spread from the Middle East to Europe in the 17th century. In cities like London, they became places to read newspapers, debate and do business. Some famous institutions, including an insurance market, began in coffeehouses.
A changing climate
Coffee plants are sensitive to temperature and rainfall. Researchers warn that climate change could reduce the land suitable for Arabica in coming decades, and scientists are studying wild coffee species that may tolerate heat better.
Coffee cultures around the world
Every coffee culture has its own rituals. In Ethiopia, the traditional coffee ceremony involves roasting beans in front of guests and serving three rounds of coffee. In Italy, espresso is often drunk standing at a bar. In Türkiye, finely ground coffee is boiled in a small pot, and in Vietnam, strong coffee is often mixed with sweetened condensed milk.