Today is International Coffee Day!

Today is International Coffee Day! Clearly if there is something other than family worth celebrating, coffee would absolutely make it on the list! Daysoftheyear (dot) com says; "For many people, coffee is their reason for getting out of bed in the morning! It’s a morning treat, an afternoon pick me up, or even an evening drink to help stay awake. International Coffee Day pays heed to all of these and everything in between."

So, as we look at celebrating this most delicious of beverages, let's first learn some fun facts about coffee - did you know . . .

• It’s the world’s 2nd largest traded commodity.  Crude oil is first. After water, coffee is the most consumed beverage.
• During the 17th century Ottoman Empire, it was believed coffee contained mind-altering effects. The ruler of this period believed it to be a type of narcotic and banned it from public consumption - doing so was punishable by death - yes, death!
• Coffee stays warm 20% longer when you add cream.
• In 16th century Constantinople, not providing your wife with enough coffee was grounds for divorce.
• According to a "Harvard's Health Publishing" study, coffee drinkers tend to live longer, plus they have a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Even Beethoven was a coffee lover! It is well known he used to count his beans before making the brew, mostly 60 per cup.
• Coffee beans are called "beans" just because of the resemblance, but they’re actually berries.

You will find more coffee fun facts at this link and this link.

Did you know coffee is actually good for you? "Recent studies have also revealed that coffee drinking may be helpful in preventing some particular conditions. This may include:

• Parkinson’s Disease. Coffee has been shown to decrease the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly in men.
• Stroke. One study has shown, people who drink two to three cups of coffee each day may lower their risk of stroke by almost one in three.
• Alzheimer’s Disease. Coffee seems to help retain the sharpness in the brain and reduce the risk of this degenerative disease.
• Type 2 Diabetes. In this case, some studies show drinking either caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee can help reduce blood sugar levels and minimize the risk of diabetes in adults."
• Regularly drinking coffee may have health benefits such as reduced risk of illnesses like cancer and heart disease.

So, bring on the coffee! To celebrate this wonderful day, of course you could make and enjoy coffee at home, buy it at your favorite coffee house, add it to a favorite recipe (coffee chocolate cake!!!), or delight in a bowl of chocolate ice cream or gelatto! Whatever you decide, gather your family and enjoy your coffee together!

You will find more fun info and ideas for celebrating today at this link.

Happy International Coffee Day!