Trivia and More Interesting Facts

• King George of England imposed a severe tax on the colonists in 1774 (hence the Boston Tea Party), and drinking coffee became a patriotic duty.  Early American patriots consumed coffee by the gallons and it became America's favorite breakfast drink, where's it's remained for over 200 years (of course, Prohibition did hurt either when it went into effect in 1919).  How about that George?  He was always such a trendsetter.
• Coffee as a beverage originated in Ethiopia.  The story goes that a shepherd named Kaldi discovered his goats were playful and active after eating the leaves and berries of a nearby shrub, which later known as a coffee tree.  Once the shepherd took a bite of the coffee berry, he discovered the appeal of the bean and became happy and full of energy.  When an Arab Holy man learned of Kaldi and his frolicking sheep, he brewed the berry and created a drink that kept worshippers from sleeping during prayers.  By the sixteenth century, the magic drink was known throughout the Arab world.  I bet Kaldi would've been so proud!  It's just not everybody that gets a beverage named after them.  Get it?  Kaldi . . . coffee?
• Take a deep breath . . . of coffee, of course.  Preliminary research indicates that coffee aroma may be good for you.  It appears that molecules from a steaming cup of coffee form strong anti-oxidants, believed to help prevent cancer.  As a matter of fact, we're petitioning the Surgeon General to have it put on the food pyramid chart, suggesting at least two cups as a recommended daily serving.  Who knew?
• Coffee was at one time considered to be a mysterious and magical elixir.  It was used by doctors and healers for everything from headaches, digestion and eye problems, to curing body odor and lethargy.