It is hard to believe that a humble bean could generate so many romantic tales about its origins yet also be at the heart of so much hard-headed business acumen. You can be assured that from its beginnings to its present market prowess that this aromatic, dark and pungent liquid has enriched and fascinated people from all walks the world over.

Legends abound about the origins of the coffee plant. We have found that the most constant historic information puts coffees’ discovery in Ethiopia somewhere around 500 BC. From there, upon observing the stimulating effects of its berries, travelers brought it with them to Arabia, where it acquired the name.

The arts and sciences found their birth during the Renaissance.  Along side their growth we find the world wide production and distribution of coffee growing also. Considered by some to be “a heathenish liquid’ it was being consumed by people of every social class. By the late 18th century plantations and drinking popularity had spread this beverage to the Middle East, Europe, Asia,North and South North America.

Throughout those long centuries the health effects ascribed to coffee border on the miraculous. But, as with most claimed miracles, there’s some fact at the bottom.  Some studies suggest that mammalian sperm swim faster, farther and longer in fluid laced with coffee. The theory is the caffeine stimulates them. One Harvard study followed over 100,000 individuals for almost 20 years, drawing the conclusion that moderate use can help reduce diabetes. Others show reduction in cirrhosis of the liver and decrease of asthma severity.

While the antioxidants in coffee are being held out as helping you to keep your heart healthier, the nutrition police rage on if the pros can really outweigh the cons. Caffeine after all is a natural insecticide.  Some other of the negatives against coffee are its diuretic effects that increase urination. If that is not bad enough it has been shown that stimulation from caffeine has lead to long term nerve damage in some drinkers. If you have experienced a caffeine withdrawal you know the sleeplessness and headaches it can cause.

But for good or ill – or both – coffee is here to stay. The economics alone virtually guarantee that, since as a commodity coffee is second only in dollar volume to oil.  Whether traded on exchanges in London, New York, Hong Kong or Lima with over 400 billion cups consumed annually, this other ‘black gold’ only grows in popularity. It has been found that 63% of the world wide adults population drinks coffee occasionally, the total retail sales hovers near the $12 billion level annually.

Add to those figures the number of raw beans, grinders, roasters, brewers and cups bought for the home and the figures become astounding.  With the rise in both basic commodity and specialty retail prices, the future for coffee businesses continues to look bright. Starbucks alone has over 10,000 outlets around the world.

The home is starting to replace specialty coffee shops for your favorite cup of coffee. Most people make a cup at home and then buy one from a coffee shop on the way to work. There are so many blends of coffee we will write an article on that in the future. At home you have the choice of roasters, types of brewers or splurge on your own espresso machine. Since espresso was invented in 1901 it has continued its rise in popularity ever since.