Life Happens, Coffee Helps

A steaming cup of coffee is the first thing millions of people reach for every morning. The ritual of holding a warm mug while enjoying the invigorating aromas has prevailed for over one thousand years. To this point, its no wonder that coffee is the second most globally traded commodity. Followed only by oil, there are approximately 25 million farmers in over 50 countries involved in producing coffee. Brazil is the single largest producer of coffee, totaling 40% of the world’s production.

The consumption of coffee beans has several legendary points of origin, however, it’s largely believed that shepherds from Ethiopia in 800 A.D. first discovered the energizing effect when their goats appeared to “dance” after eating coffee berries. Eventually, a man named Omar boiled them to reduce the intense bitter flavor. As stories of this “miracle drug” spread, Omar was made a saint.

Traditional coffee as we think of it today reached Europe in the 1500’s. Landing in the Venetian port, it then spread across Austria, England, France and Germany. First a luxury good for high society, many coffee shops started opening for the general public in the 1600’s. 

Flash forward to modern day, during the United State’s prohibition from 1920-1933, coffee bars quickly became a popular replacement for traditional alcohol bars. Although coffee shops had long been in business, the shift to coffee bars acted as a catalyst to the creation of comfortable, lounge style establishments.

There are two major types of coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta. 70% of coffee beans are Arabica. Robusta is slightly more bitter and has twice as much caffeine. Similar to wine, coffee-food pairings can greatly enhance your breakfast, brunch and dessert. Some classic pairings include:

• Baked goods: espresso
• Breakfast foods: cappuccino
• Chocolate: dark roast coffees
• Fruit: medium to mild roast coffees

Whether you're scooping Folgers into your mug or snapping a photo of barista-crafted latte art, there's a perfect cup o' joe out there for everyone. To elevate your morning ritual, we've got an excellent selection of drinkware just for you!