"The powers of a man's mind are directly proportioned to the quantity of coffee he drinks."
Coffee is a staple component of many individuals’ daily existence. For some it is the force of habit which gets them buying or brewing every morning, afternoon, and night. For others, it’s a necessity. As a non-economist I tend to pay attention to those market issues which pertain to my practical existence – Valentine’s Day in February, lipstick on Fancy Dress. Now, as I launch into the throes of exam week, the focus is on the product which will shortly become my lifeline.
An interesting fact I found on The Heritage Coffee Company’s website is that coffee is the item traded second most worldwide behind petroleum. I suppose it sort of make sense – petroleum fuels machines and coffee fuels… people? In all seriousness though, that is a staggering thought – that coffee is SO high in demand by THAT many different people in places around the world.
To address the international relations issues generated by the extensive coffee traffic worldwide, the United Nations created the International Coffee Organization in 1963. The organization is based in London and for more extensive statistics regarding coffee prices, importing, exporting, and historical data, you can check out their website.
One of the most controversial things about coffee, besides the level of ethical and environmental conscientiousness with which it is acquired, is its effect on the drinker’s well-being. Do the adverse effects of caffeine outweigh the health benefits associated with the bean? This article from Harvard Health Publications indicates it’s probably like most other things in life – best in moderation.
If you are interested in how coffee made its way into the economies of the different continents, check out this page from National Geographic which tracks the product’s trek across the globe. This page also features an interactive map indicating highly saturated growing locations by country.
I’ve done a bit of travelling in my time at school and while I’ve wondered about water quality or whether or not I’d get enough ice in my beverage, I’ve never had a problem locating decent coffee in my wanderings. And whether nor not drinking it makes me a citizen of the world, if it’s going to enhance my “powers of mind” then bring on the java! It’s time to study.
~ Elizabeth Micci
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