The next time you are standing around the office coffee pot or out for coffee with family and friends, dazzle them with your knowledge about their favorite beverage.

1. Coffee originated in Ethiopia

Did you know that Ethiopia, specifically in a province called Kaffa, is considered the birthplace of coffee (hence the evolvement of the name coffee)? It is said that the berries were actually discovered by a goat herder who noticed that his goats were acting a bit more animated after eating them.

The Coffee Ceremony-An Ethiopian Tradition
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art2841.asp

2. Coffee, like tea, contains antioxidants.

There have been many studies done on coffee. Coffee has been linked to reducing the incidence of Diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, and has recently been touted as being high in antioxidants as well. According to Merriamwebster.com, "an antioxidant is a substance (as beta-carotene or vitamin C) that inhibits oxidation or reactions promoted by oxygen, peroxides, or free radicals." Antioxidants are known to prevent cancer.

The Health Benefits of Coffee
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art50063.asp

3. Coffee can be cold brewed

Cold brewing of coffee is not new. In fact you can make or purchase a special container and after a 12-hour soak, you have your coffee concentrate from which you make your coffee. You can then drink it cold or hot. Cold brewed coffee does not have the acidic content that bothers many people and no bitter aftertaste.

Cool Brew
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art36082.asp

4. The coffee bean is really a seed.

The coffee bean is really a seed that is found in the fruit of the coffee tree. The fruit looks much like cherries. When the fruits are ripe they are picked from the tree in different ways that include hand or mechanical methods.

5. The average coffee tree only produces 1 to 1 ½ pounds of coffee per season.

6. It takes about five years for your coffee to go from seed to your cup

Considering how much coffee some of us drink and the fact that it takes a coffee tree about five years for it to produce beans ready for harvesting, this is astounding. Imagine a section of the coffee trees in the world roped off to provide enough coffee just for you. People who have rather large daily coffee habits might need a section roped off equal to the size of a small country.

Weren't Born Yesterday? Neither was your Coffee!
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art50061.asp

7. Coffee is not only good for you, it’s good for your plants and gardens.

Plants need nitrogen to grow. According to the University of Missouri’s site, “Extension”, “Plants need nitrogen to grow, develop and produce seed. The main source of nitrogen in soils is from organic matter.” Coffee is a great source of nitrogen.

The University of Missouri Extension
http://extension.missouri.edu/xplor/envqual/wq0252.htm