Around 850 A.D it is thought that a lone shepherd and his sheep \rhappened upon a strange and mysterious plant growing upon a \rsecluded and forgotten hillside. Before he could stop them \rsome of his herd had began to gnaw away at this unusual \rberry. After about fifteen minutes or so the herder started \rto notice that his sheep were behaving in an odd manner. Not \ronly were they unusually alert but they also appeared to be \rextremely hyperactive. Now being a little weary and \rextremely tired the shepherd decided to try the berries and \rsee if the end results would be the same for him as they had \rbeen for his flock. To his pleasant surprise the shepherd \rbegan to feel wide awake and he too became very alert. After \ra few hours had passed along came a wandering monk who,\rafter being informed of the plants amazing qualities \rproceeded to scold the poor shepherd and lecture him on his \rfoolish indulgence. After he had finished telling the \rshepherd just what a sinner he had been the monk set upon \rhis journey but not before he had added a little something \rto his backpack and supplies.

Back at the abbey the monks decided to try this new magical \rstimulant. Soon the endless hours of praying became easy to \rendure. Coffee the beverage had been unleashed. Its \rwidespread use first took hold in the Ethiopian regions \rbefore then moving on to the Arabian empire. Here it was to \rbe held for many years as a sacred substance until it was \rillegally exported to the outside world by an Arab called \rBaba Budan. Word of its effects then began to spread and in \ra short while coffee was to become one of the most treasured \rcommodities in our history. Today we drink a staggering 4 \rbillion cups each and every year and there are many among us \rwho would simply refuse to start our day without it.

Although coffee is mainly known as a sleep suppressant there \rare those who consider coffee to have many health benefits. \rIt is thought that people who suffer from asthma and partake \rof the beverage have at least 25% less symptoms which may be \rdue to a substance in coffee called theophylline. This is \rknown as a bronchodilator and quite simply it is thought to \rhelp those who suffer with the disease to breath with a \rlittle more ease. Drinking coffee on a daily basis is also \rthought to help lower your chances of developing colon \rcancer by a figure also in the region of about 25%. This may \rbe due to the fact that coffee helps to keep you regular. \rCoffee can do more than just help you get through your day.

Apart from the benefits that have just been mentioned it has \rto be said that simply drinking coffee as a beverage is a \rdelight that cannot easily be surpassed. The amazing thing \ris that the average person has no idea of the varied tastes \rthat this hallowed bean has to offer. One of the growing \rtrends of recent years has to be the rising popularity of \rordering coffee via the wonder we call the internet. Never \rbefore have we been able to sample such a wide variety of \rtastes, blends and aromas without having to endure the \rtedious trials of hiking around the city. I myself tend to \rplace small orders but I always make a point to record the \rname, blend and of course exactly from whom I purchased.

Now that you are aware of the tale of the mystical beans I hope \rthat if in the days to come you are considering visiting your \rlocal coffee shop you recall the story of the lowly shepherd \rand think about just what you might be drinking were he not \rto have wandered onto that bleak and lonely hillside. Why \rnot take advantage of the internet and try the many \rdifferent varieties and blends available. Not only will you \rimpress your tastebuds, your friends will be grateful as \rwell.

Cappuccino or latte?

Valerie Shapero is the owner of Fuzzy \rCoffee which is a \rpremier source of information about coffee. For questions or\rcomments about this article, please visit:\rhttp://fuzzycoffee.com