Coffee: health perks, cultural history and consumption trends in ten facts

Coffee replaced beer as a breakfast drink in the 17th century and is now Germany’s most popular hot beverage, with an average of about 164 liters consumed per person each year. The Netherlands and Luxembourg rank among the highest per‑capita drinkers, each consuming over eleven kilograms of coffee beans annually.

Recent research highlights several health benefits of moderate coffee intake (three to four cups daily). A British study suggests it may help prevent chronic liver disease, while regular consumption is associated with reduced risks of vascular disease, dementia and type‑2 diabetes. Coffee’s antioxidants are also credited with anti‑aging effects, and spent grounds can be repurposed as a facial peel. The plant’s aroma can mask unpleasant smells, and the “coffee bean” is actually a seed. Legend attributes coffee’s discovery to a 9th‑century Ethiopian goat herder whose animals became unusually energetic after eating coffee cherries; bees are also known to be attracted to the plant’s nectar.