7 Fascinating Facts You Never Learned about Coffee ...

1. New Yorkers Drink Almost 7 Times as Any Other US City

It's no secret there's a Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts within a few blocks of wherever you're standing in NYC, so the fact that New Yorkers drink a high volume of coffee is no surprise. However, seven times as much coffee as any other city in the US is alarming! No wonder it's the city that never sleeps!

2. In Italy, Espresso is Regulated by the Italian Government

Espresso is such an important part of the Italian lifestyle (picture those little white cups and saucers all over the country), that the government actually oversees its consumption. Also, while the cost of a cup of espresso may be one price while standing at the bar of the "caffe", the cost is exponentially more expensive if you're sitting at a table.

3. Coffee Was Discovered via 9th Century Goats

Crazy, huh? Goat herders in 800 AD found their goats to have had "dancing" effects after eating the berries where coffee beans are found in. In the same vein, a local monk decided to make a drink with the berries and found that it kept him awake all night, and thus, caffeine and coffee was discovered (and we're sure glad it was!).

4. The Most Expensive Coffee in the World Costs $600 a Pound

One of the least likely places you'd think to find such an expensive blend of coffee would be from an animal, right? How about from an animal's feces? The Sumatran Wild Cat eats coffee beans (which they can't digest) and ferment them as they go through the digestive tract. Once they come out, the beans have a "smooth, chocolaty" flavor. Sounds like an awful process!

5. Coffee Can Lower Your Risk for Alzheimer's Disease

While too much caffeine is dangerous (re: 100 cups is the lethal dosage), having a healthy dose of caffeine in your blood can help prevent Alzheimer's, type 2 diabetes, and even Parkinson's.

6. Dark Roast Coffee Isn't as Strong as You'd Think

While dark roasts are more robust in flavor and seem like they'd be stronger in caffeine content, the process of roasting actually burns off some of the caffeine. As a result, a lighter roast is better for perking purposes.

7. You Coffee Habit is Costing You a Big Chunk of Change

While you may not indulge in a daily cup of coffee from the local cafe, the average worker spends at least $20 on coffee each week. This totals to over a grand a year. Our taste buds love coffee, but it may not be the best for our wallets!

Coffee is an absolute gift from above. While it's become a staple in our every day routine, it's crazy to think that there are all these little known facts about our beloved beverage! What do you think? Did any of these facts really surprise you? Are you going to run out and get a Sumatran Cat blend any time soon (ha!)? Let us know in the comments!