9 Fun Coffee Facts: A World of Beans, Brews, and Surprising Facts

Coffee is more than a morning pick-me-up; it’s a global sensation that connects people, cultures and flavors. Coffee is so beloved, in fact, that there’s even a national day of coffee to celebrate it.

While this tasty beverage might be familiar, it’s anything but ordinary. We’re diving into the origins of coffee and uncovering a few surprising coffee facts. We’ll also explore how workplaces can access exceptional coffee services for the benefit of employees, guests and customers.

The origins of coffee

The coffee plant originated in ancient Ethiopia, where legend has it that a goat herder named Kaldi noticed that goats were more energetic after eating coffee beans. Traders brought coffee plants to Yemen, and by the 15th century, coffee had become an essential part of culture across the Arabian Peninsula. The beverage made its way to Europe by the 17th century, and quickly became a key crop in Asia, the Caribbean, Central America and South America.

Americans are drinking more coffee than ever

Coffee consumption remains high in the United States, where 66% of adults drink coffee on a daily basis — that’s a 7% increase from 2020. It’s the most popular beverage in the country, beating out tea and bottled water. Coffee is so widely consumed, in fact, that the United States now has the biggest coffee market in the world.

The influence of regular and decaf coffee is especially evident in workplaces across the country. It’s an office favorite for more than the caffeine boost; drinking coffee is a break room experience that builds workplace relationships, fuels creativity and promotes productivity. By providing delicious brewed coffee at work, companies create a welcoming atmosphere.

Explore the 9 interesting facts about coffee

These coffee fun facts provide a whole new perspective on your favorite morning beverage.

The term “coffee beans” gets thrown around constantly, but the truth is, they aren’t beans at all — they’re the seeds of a bright yellow, cherry-like fruit. Typically, each cherry holds two seeds wrapped in layers of skin, pulp and a parchment-like shell. After harvest, producers use wet or dry processing to remove these layers and uncover the green seeds ready for roasting. 

Brazil produces 37% of the world’s coffee, making it the undisputed global leader. In 2024, the country sold 64.7 million bags — 2.1 million more bags than in 2022. That’s more than double the second-place producer, Vietnam, which makes 17% of the coffee on the market.

People have been trying to ban coffee since 1511, when Khair Beg, the Governor of Mecca, claimed it was a drug. Catholic priests also tried in the 16th century, but Pope Clement VIII gave the beverage his blessing. A few centuries later, Frederick the Great tried to force Germans to drink beer instead of coffee.

Adding cream to your coffee can help it cool up to 20% slower than black coffee. The fat in the cream slows the evaporation and the heat loss, so you can enjoy it for longer, which might come in handy during long meetings.

Finland is the world’s biggest consumer of coffee on a per-person basis, with the average Finn drinking nearly 4 cups each day, which averages out to about 26 pounds of coffee per person annually. In fact, Finnish workers are required by law to get two 10-minute coffee breaks per 8-hour shift.

Here’s one of the most amazing facts about coffee: Studies show that it might reduce your risk of death. It can also lower the risk of heart disease, Parkinson’s and Type 2 diabetes. Aim for a morning cup — the European Society of Cardiology found that it’s better for your heart than multiple cups throughout the day.

You might assume that Hawaii is the sole American coffee producer — it’s famous for Kona coffee, after all — but California also has a small commercial coffee industry. And in Florida, researchers are growing coffee plants that can handle the state’s extreme weather.

The world’s most expensive coffee is kopi luwak, which costs between $35 and $100 a cup or about $100 to $600 a pound. This rare coffee is made from beans that have been digested by the Asian palm civet, and the intricate cleaning and production method has led to exorbitant prices.

One of our favorite fun facts about coffee is that it can benefit your health. Coffee helps protect cells from damage, improve mental alertness, reduce the risk of depression and enhance physical performance.

Access delicious coffee on demand with Culligan Quench

Now that you’re prepared for coffee trivia on the next national day of coffee, it might be time to begin the journey to building a better office coffee service for your workplace. Culligan Quench can help — our comprehensive suite of coffee machines makes it easy to brew coffee, so your teams have easy access whenever they need it.

At Culligan Quench, we understand that a good cup of coffee is more than just a simple caffeine boost; it’s a well-deserved break for your hardworking employees. That’s why we go beyond great taste to emphasize employee wellness. By pairing our coffee units with advanced filtration systems, you can enhance the quality of your coffee offerings with clean, fresh-tasting water.

Want to offer iced coffee, too? Our ice machines empower your team to make iced coffee or cold brew. And with our user-friendly customer portal, it’s a breeze to order new coffee flavors, break room supplies or accessories.

Ready to choose Culligan Quench as your office coffee service provider? Explore our coffee machines or schedule an appointment with a Culligan Quench Coffee Expert today.