Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. It is produced from the seeds of coffee cherries. The coffee cherry has two beans – the exocarp and the mesocarp. They are protected by a paper-like covering called the endocarp. The endocarp is also known as parchment.
Coffee is now one of the most important cash crops in many developing countries, with more than 100 million people depending on coffee for their livelihoods. It is also the main export of many African countries. The amount of coffee produced annually has doubled since 1825, and the demand for coffee drinks has increased by 50% over the past five years.
The health benefits of coffee consumption are numerous. It lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. It also lowers the risk of depression and may promote weight management. In fact, moderate coffee consumption may even extend a person’s life. In a review of 40 studies, researchers found that coffee consumption was associated with a lower risk of death, compared to non-drinkers.
Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, coffee consumption began spreading throughout the world. Many merchants began traveling to countries in the Middle East and other areas where coffee was already common. After the Ottoman Empire conquered Yemen in 1538, its governor brought back coffee to Istanbul. Turkish royalty became the chief coffee makers and the popularity of coffee spread through coffeehouses. In the next century, merchants introduced coffee to Venice, where it quickly took root. By the 18th century, the popularity of coffee spread to the upper class.