Coffee isn’t just a drink — it’s a global culture with deep history. The beans we use are actually the seeds of coffee cherries, small red or purple fruits that grow on coffee plants. After harvesting, the seeds are dried, roasted, and ground before being brewed into the coffee we know today.

There are two main types of coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans are known for their smooth flavor and lower caffeine content, while Robusta beans are stronger, more bitter, and contain almost twice as much caffeine. Most high-quality coffee blends use Arabica, but Robusta is popular in espresso blends because of its intensity.

Coffee is also prepared differently around the world:

• In Italy, espresso is the standard — quick, concentrated, and often enjoyed standing at a café bar.

• In Turkey, coffee is finely ground, unfiltered, and often flavored with cardamom.

• In Finland, people consume more coffee per capita than any other nation, averaging about four cups a day!

Another surprising fact: although espresso has more caffeine per ounce, a 12-ounce cup of drip coffee usually contains more total caffeine simply because of its larger size. So, your morning mug might pack a bigger punch than a small espresso shot.