Coffee is present in billions of cups every day around the world. But beyond its aroma, flavor, and caffeine kick, coffee carries a fascinating story that spans centuries — from ancient bans and medical prescriptions to its place aboard space stations.
In this article, you’ll explore unusual and surprising facts about coffee that go far beyond the usual café conversation. Pour yourself a cup and enjoy the ride.
Coffee Has Been Banned in Several Countries
Believe it or not, coffee has once been considered dangerous — even subversive. In the 16th and 17th centuries, religious and political leaders in places like Mecca, Egypt, Italy, and even England attempted to ban coffee consumption.
The reasons varied: some believed coffee encouraged rebellious behavior, while others claimed it caused mental dependency. In 1511, for example, Islamic authorities banned coffee in Mecca because it was believed to stimulate debates and dangerous ideas in public coffeehouses. These spaces were seen as places where opposition could brew — quite literally.
Fortunately, those bans didn’t last long. Over time, even the skeptics couldn’t deny the power of the bean. Coffee quickly regained its place — eventually becoming a common meeting point for thinkers, writers, and revolutionaries. Coffeehouses soon became known as “penny universities” because, for the price of a cup, you could engage in intellectual conversations and debates.
Coffee Was Once Prescribed as Medicine
In 17th-century Europe, as coffee became popular, doctors prescribed it as a treatment for various ailments, including migraines, digestive issues, gout, and menstrual cramps.
Although we now know coffee isn’t exactly a medicine, modern studies confirm that it does provide real health benefits. It can improve cognitive function, protect against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, and even help boost mood and alertness. The antioxidants in coffee also play a role in reducing inflammation.
In many ways, what those old physicians recommended wasn’t entirely off the mark — they just didn’t have the science to back it up yet.
The Most Expensive Coffee in the World Comes from Animal Droppings
Yes, you read that right. One of the most expensive coffees in the world is Kopi Luwak, made from beans that have passed through the digestive system of an animal called the civet — a small, cat-like mammal found in parts of Asia.
Here’s how it works: the civet eats the coffee cherries, and the beans pass through its digestive system. Once excreted, they’re cleaned, roasted, and brewed.
The result is a coffee with a smooth, mild flavor and low bitterness. However, Kopi Luwak has faced criticism due to ethical concerns, especially in commercial settings where civets are kept in captivity and force-fed cherries. True wild-sourced Kopi Luwak is rare and expensive — and not always available in an ethical way.
Beethoven Was Obsessed with Coffee
The legendary German composer Ludwig van Beethoven was known for his perfectionism — and that extended to his coffee ritual. He counted exactly 60 coffee beans per cup. No more, no less.
He would hand-count the beans each morning, insisting on precise measurements. This ritualistic approach shows just how serious some historical figures were about their brew — and how it became part of their creative process.
Beethoven wasn’t alone. Many other artists, writers, and musicians have praised coffee as their creative fuel — including Voltaire, Honoré de Balzac, and even J.S. Bach, who composed a humorous piece titled the Coffee Cantata.
Coffee Has Over 800 Aromatic Compounds
While wine has about 200 aromatic compounds, coffee boasts over 800 — depending on the type of bean, roast level, and brewing method.
That’s why coffee can offer notes of red fruit, citrus, chocolate, caramel, spices, and even flowers — all naturally, without added flavorings. This complexity makes coffee tasting (or “cupping”) a real art and science in specialty circles.
Each cup tells a different sensory story, and even subtle changes in grind size, water temperature, or origin can dramatically alter the final flavor.
Coffee Was Once Used as Currency
During colonial times in parts of Africa and South America, coffee beans were used as a form of payment, especially in rural areas where paper money was scarce.
In some regions, bags of beans were traded for goods and services, and they even served as wages for farm workers. At certain points in history, coffee was so valuable it rivaled gold.
Even today, coffee remains the second most traded commodity in the world, just behind oil. It fuels not only people, but entire economies.
Coffee Has Its Own International Day (Actually, Several)
Coffee is so important that it has multiple international days:
- October 1: International Coffee Day (recognized by the International Coffee Organization)
- May 24: National Coffee Day in Brazil
- Other countries have their own national celebrations on different dates
These days aren’t just marketing gimmicks — they’re opportunities to honor the entire coffee supply chain, from farmers and roasters to baristas and everyday drinkers.
Espresso Has Less Caffeine Than Drip Coffee
Many people think espresso is stronger because of its bold flavor. But in reality, a shot of espresso contains less caffeine than a cup of drip coffee.
That’s due to volume: a shot of espresso is about 30–50 ml, while a drip coffee can be 150 ml or more. While espresso is more concentrated, it delivers less total caffeine unless you drink multiple shots.
Fun fact: espresso also has more crema (a golden foam layer), which adds texture and aroma to the experience.
Some Coffees Are Brewed with Seawater
In coastal regions of Spain and Italy, there’s a tradition of brewing coffee with a small amount of salt water or even filtered seawater.
The salt reduces bitterness and enhances sweeter notes — a trick now being adopted by some specialty cafés and baristas worldwide.
Adding a pinch of salt to coffee is also an old trick in other cultures, used to balance overly bitter brews or stale beans.
The Biggest Coffee Drinker in History
According to historical records, French philosopher Voltaire drank between 40 and 50 cups of coffee per day. He believed it sharpened his mind and enhanced productivity.
Despite the excessive intake, Voltaire lived to the age of 83 — which wasn’t typical for the 18th century. While modern doctors wouldn’t recommend that much caffeine, Voltaire seemed to thrive on it.
Coffee Exists in Space
Yes, astronauts drink coffee in space — but not in regular mugs. In zero gravity, everything must be sealed, so astronauts use special pouches and straws.
In 2015, NASA and the Italian Space Agency launched the ISSpresso, the first espresso machine made for the International Space Station. It allowed astronauts to enjoy a real espresso even in orbit.
Because even in space, no one wants to skip their morning cup.
Will Coffee Survive Climate Change? That Depends on Us
More than just a curiosity, this is a real warning: coffee crops are among the most sensitive to climate change.
Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and new pests and diseases are threatening coffee-growing regions, especially those cultivating Arabica beans, which are more delicate.
Some estimates suggest that up to 50% of current Arabica-growing land could become unsuitable by 2050 if climate patterns continue. That would affect millions of farmers and increase coffee prices globally.
Fortunately, many producers are taking action by adopting sustainable farming, planting resistant varieties, and using shade-grown techniques to protect crops and biodiversity.
A Universe Inside the Cup
Coffee may be part of your daily routine, but behind every sip lies a story rich in history, culture, and innovation. It has been banned, prescribed, traded, praised, and now reaches beyond Earth itself.
So the next time you drink your morning brew, take a moment to appreciate the centuries of tradition, the science of extraction, and the human hands that made it possible.
Because every cup of coffee isn’t just a drink — it’s a journey across time, continents, and even galaxies.
