Is Coffee the most popular beverage of all time?

Hundreds of years ago it is said that a lonely sheep herder and his
charge stumbled across a strange and mysterious berry
growing on a secluded and forgotten hillside. Before he
could stop them, some of his sheep had already began to
sample this strange fruit. After about ten minutes or so the
shepherd began to notice something unusual about his sheep.
They no longer looked tired after their long trek that day.
In fact they appeared to be wide awake and very alert. The
shepherd had never seen them behave this way and he was
curious. Now being a little tired and weary himself the
shepherd decided to try the berries for himself. Just as had
happened with his flock he too became wide awake and pardon
the pun, extremely "full of beans". Just then a monk
happened by and after hearing what had happened proceeded to
scold the poor shepherd and lecture him on his foolish
indulgence. Having had his say the monk continued on his
journey but before he set off he made absolutely sure that a
plant was secured amongst his belongings.

Back at the monastery the monks decided to try this new and
exciting substance. Soon the endless hours of praying were
endured with the greatest of ease. Coffee, the drink had
been revealed to the world. Its widespread use then took a
grip in the Ethiopian lands before then migrating on to the
Arabian outlands. Here it was to be held for many years as a
sacred substance but was eventually to be unlawfully
exported by a merchant called Baba Budan. Word of its
qualities were soon to spread and within a few years coffee
was to emerge as one of the most valued commodities of all
time. Now would you believe that each year we drink an
amazing four billion cups and there are those among us who
would cry at the thought of starting their day without it.

Although coffee is mainly known as a sleep suppressant there
are those who consider coffee to have many health benefits.
It is thought that people who suffer from asthma and partake
of the beverage have at least 25% less symptoms which may be
due to a substance in coffee called theophylline. This is
known as a bronchodilator and quite simply it is thought to
help those who suffer with the disease to breath with a
little more ease. Drinking coffee on a daily basis is also
thought to help lower your chances of developing colon
cancer by a figure also in the region of about 25%. This may
be due to the fact that coffee helps to keep you regular.
Coffee can do more than just help you get through your day!

Apart from the benefits that have just been mentioned it has
to be said that simply drinking coffee as a beverage is a
delight that cannot easily be surpassed. The amazing thing
is that the average person has no idea of the varied tastes
that this hallowed bean has to offer. One of the growing
trends of recent years has to be the rising popularity of
ordering coffee via the wonder we call the internet. Never
before have we been able to sample such a wide variety of
tastes, blends and aromas without having to endure the
tedious trials of hiking around the city. I myself tend to
place small orders but I always make a point to record the
name, blend and of course exactly from whom I purchased.

Well now that you know the tale of the mystical beans I hope
that if in the future you are considering visiting your
local coffee shop you recall the story of the lowly shepherd
and think about just what you might be drinking were he not
to have wandered onto that bleak and lonely hillside. Why
not take advantage of the internet and try the many
different varieties and blends available. Not only will you
impress your tastebuds, your friends will be grateful as
well.

Cappuccino or latte?
About the author:

Valerie Shapero is the owner of
Fuzzy Coffee which is a
premier source of information about coffee. For more
information, go to: http://fuzzycoffee.com