5 things you never knew about coffee

There’s no better way to start your day than with a cup — or two or three — of your favorite coffee. It wakes you up, keeps you alert, and helps you stay motivated when that afternoon slump hits. And National Coffee Day, September 29, is the perfect opportunity to show your appreciation for this beloved beverage.

To celebrate, go to Dunkin' Donuts on Friday to get a free medium hot coffee with the purchase of a medium or larger hot coffee. Help spread the coffee love by sharing your free drink with a lucky friend, coworker, or even a stranger.

Even if you drink coffee daily, there are still many things that you may not know about it. Here are some facts about coffee that you can enjoy year-round.

1. The first webcam watched a coffee pot

The first webcam came about in 1991 in the most relatable way possible for coffee lovers. Dr. Quentin Stafford-Fraser and Dr. Paul Jardetzky of the University of Cambridge set up a camera with software they created to monitor their coffee pot in another room. This way, no one would have to get up to physically check on it or show up and find the pot empty. Once webcams were capable of connecting to the internet, the Trojan Room coffee pot was broadcast across the web. It was an international celebrity until its retirement in 2001.

2. This bean is really a fruit

Coffee may typically be referred to as a “bean,” but it is actually part of a fruit. The “bean” that is eventually harvested and used to make coffee is the seed of a red, cherry-like fruit that grows on trees.

3. Coffee was originally eaten, not sipped

Since coffee comes from a fruit, it should be no surprise that drinking it was not the original way it was consumed. Tribes in Africa once mixed animal fat with ground up coffee berries to make a type of paste. They rolled it into a ball and ate it to give the members of the tribe energy.

4. The longer you roast a coffee bean, the less caffeine it has

While many people believe that the strong flavor of a dark roast means that the coffee has more caffeine, the truth is that the longer you roast a bean — and the darker it becomes — the less caffeine it contains. The difference is slight, but by volume, light roasts contain more caffeine than dark ones. Whichever roast you prefer, you can get a free medium hot coffee when you buy a medium or larger hot coffee at Dunkin' Donuts on National Coffee Day.

5. The concept of tipping originated in a coffee house

Today it’s expected to leave a tip after a meal. The practice of leaving gratuity wasn’t always the norm, though. It's believed that the word “tip” originated in a coffee house in London in the 17th century. Before sitting down, visitors of the coffee house would put money in a container that had a sign reading “To Insure Promptness” (TIP). The idea was that guests would receive their coffee sooner based on their tip.

This post is sponsored by Dunkin' Donuts.