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Questions about Coffee

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When did Sufi communities in Yemen begin drinking coffee?

Sufi communities in Yemen began drinking coffee in the middle of the 15th century. These groups used the beverage to stay awake during their religious rituals that lasted through the night.

Who was the first entity to import coffee on a large scale?

The Dutch East India Company became the first entity to import coffee on a large scale during the colonial era. They later grew the crop in Java and Ceylon under strict control.

Where is C. arabica native to?

C. arabica is native to the southwestern highlands of Ethiopia, the Boma Plateau in southeastern Sudan, and Mount Marsabit in northern Kenya. This species is predominantly self-pollinating, meaning seedlings are generally uniform and vary little from their parents.

How much water does it take to grow enough beans for one cup of coffee?

On average it takes about 140 liters of water to grow the coffee beans needed to produce one cup of coffee. Coffee production uses a large volume of water.

What year did world production of green coffee beans reach 11 million tonnes?

In 2023, world production of green coffee beans was 11 million tonnes, led by Brazil with 31% of the total. Coffee farmers disproportionately live in poverty despite the global industry being worth $495.50 billion as of 2023.

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