Since today is International Coffee Day, let's talk about that deliciously roasted bean.
A billion? Seriously? Yes. It's difficult to get precise statistics on a global scale, but the estimate is a billion peoplee. Some studies say 66% of the global population are coffee drinkerss.
That's estimated globally to be more than 2 billion cups of coffee each and every day?
Joe Martinson Theory of a Cup of Joe
TODAY'S COFFEE
In the Western countries, coffee rules supreme, followed by tea consumption which is very popular in Asian countries. Here in the U.S.A., about 66% of adults drink coffee every day.
CUP OF JOE AND A CUP OF JAVA
Growing up, it was common to hear someone order a "Cup of Joe" or a "Cup of Java" in a diner. In 1935, a record was released by The InkSpots called Java Jive. The song remains popular today with a capella groups.
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| Cup of Joe and Donuts |
When one of our sons was in the The Texas A&M Singing Cadets, he was part of their quartet called The Aggienizers. One of their most popular numbers was Java Jive sung in a slightly faster tempo than the original.
How the two expressions for a cup of coffee came about aren't really known, but there are theories.
Josephus Daniels Theory of a Cup of Joe
In 1914, the Secretary of the Navy was Josephus Daniels. He banned alcohol from U.S. Navy ships. The sailors had to find another common drink which was coffee so the sailors called their replacement drink a "Cup of Joe."
Of course, that phrase didn't actually appear in print until the 1930s. Does that mean it took that long for the phrase to become popular enough to be written about? Or does it mean that the theory doesn't hold coffee—uh, I mean water?
The "Average Joe" Theory of a Cup of Joe
This theory seems to have come about in the Great Depression and suggests that a "Cup of Joe" is coffee for the "average Joe," an ordinary person. The phrase really took off in the 1930's.
In the 1890's, there was a coffee merchant named Joe Martinson in New York who marketed his own coffee blend which became known as "Joe's coffee" or a "Cup of Joe."
Jamoke Theory of a Cup of Joe or a Cup of Java
This theory is an explanation of both common expressions. Some unnamed person theorized that "Cup of Joe" came from part of a made-up word, "jamoke," a combination of Java, for the Indonesian Island of Java where coffee was grown, and the port city known for coffee exports, Mocha, or Al-Mokha, in Yemen on the Red Sea.
Back in the 17th century, the Dutch introduced coffee plants to their colonies in Southeast Asia, especially the island of Java where coffee plants flourished. The island's name became the common term used for coffee thus "Cup of Java" was a well-established phrase.
Most coffee today comes from countries in the "bean belt" region, a latitudinal region with similar climates.
Coffee was introduced in South America in the 18th century and then spread across the continent and to the Caribbean.
Today, Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia are the top 3 global producers with over 40% of the world's coffee output.
TAKEAWAY TRUTH
So whatever brand of coffee you drink—I'm firmly a Dunkin' Donuts coffee fan—lift your cup and let's toast that lovable bean that gets us going every morning. Here's looking at you, Cup of Joe!
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