The Food Chain The coffee habit: Why do we love it so much?
Oct 22, 2025
Marilyn Cornelis, an associate professor specializing in nutrition and genetics, shares her insights on our favorite morning ritual—coffee. She explains how caffeine interacts with our brain, boosting alertness and attention. Marilyn also discusses the potential health benefits of moderate coffee consumption, including a lower risk of diabetes and heart issues. Delve into the emotional ties people have with coffee, from cherished traditions to the complex flavors that keep us coming back for more!
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Eritrean Coffee Ceremony Brings People Together
- Samrawit demonstrates the Eritrean/Ethiopian coffee ceremony, roasting green beans at home to fill the room with aroma.
- She says women perform the ritual to bring family and guests together and make the home feel warm and welcoming.
Coffee's Journey From Ritual To Global Commodity
- Jonathan Morris traces coffee from Ethiopia to Yemen and 15th-century Sufi use, then into global trade via Yemen and European merchants.
- Colonial powers later cultivated coffee worldwide, transforming it from a ritual drink into a global commodity.
Colonial Expansion Fueled By Enslaved Labour
- Jonathan Morris describes how European powers moved coffee cultivation to colonies like Java and the Caribbean.
- Ruth Alexander highlights that millions were forced into plantation labour, enriching European companies.
