How Coffee Changed The World

By Author: Samantha Dale
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Although the day started off like any other, an Ethiopian monk suddenly became puzzled by the rambunctious behavior of one of his goats. Suddenly more feisty than ever before, he noticed the animal was consuming the berries of a native "plant". According to legend, he decided to give it a try himself. Lo and behold, he found himself more energetic and suddenly able to pray far more hours than before.

Obviously this is before cable TV and the thought of opening a Starbucks(r) somehow never occurred to him. Although this story has been told again and again, it is not the only legend of how coffee was discovered:

Left to die in the desert, a banished Arabian man and his followers desperately seek sustenance to sustain themselves. An unknown berry soon became their lifeline and its broth they named Mocha.

No matter which legend you believe, one thing is for sure, few inventions in history have had such an enormous impact throughout the world. For many, it's hard to imagine even getting out the door in the morning let alone going to work without their cup of "jo".

So how exactly did we get so hooked on ...
... this beverage? The first actual coffee maker was produced in 575 A.D. by the Turks. In 1818, the coffee percolator made the beverage even more popular. Although they were big among some crowds like cowboys, coffee grounds were messy and not everyone wanted to deal with them. It wasn't until 1912 when paper filters were introduced and cleanups became a breeze, that the greater potential of this product began to be realized.

By 1972, Mr Coffee(r) introduced the automatic drip process. The product was so successful, that it still remains the most popular automatic coffee maker even today.

Over the years, coffee has made the transition from being a simple energy drink to an integral part of how we live our lives. Coffee is both a part of our social experiences as well as an accepted norm for doing business. While side effects include everything from bad breath and discolored teeth to hyperactive behavior, somehow it remains a necessary evil for getting through the day.

Coffee has now become so popular, that coffee shops are the fastest growing part of the restaurant business. With the advent of WIFI and Internet Cafes, coffee is now more fashionable than ever before. Americans alone consume 400 million cups per day. Worldwide, it is estimated over 400 billion cups of coffee are consumed each year. Although tea is actually more popular internationally, the jolt we get from coffee is hard to compare. Likewise, soda may also wake us up, but there is something about a hot beverage that ironically relaxes us despite all the caffeine.

Regardless of where coffee came from or whether it's technically derived from a plant, tree or bush, the magic of this beverage is undeniable. It may not solve the world's problems, but it sure makes dealing with them a whole lot easier.

Robert Haskell is a writer/quality control manager for OfficeSalesUSA.com dealers of Office Supplies, Biodegradable Products and other office/home needs including Automatic Coffee Makers, Carafes, Tea Brewers and more. http://www.officesalesusa.com