Register to chat with like-minded investors on our interactive forums.Introduction
The coffee plant is a perennial plant that grows in tropical climates. This plant belongs to the family of rubiáceas. Coffea arabica (Arabica coffee) and Coffea canephora (robusta coffee) are of great economic interest, representing respectively 70% and 30 % of world coffee production.
Characteristics
Coffee is a beverage produced from roasted coffee fruit beans. It is traditionally served hot, but can also be eaten cold. Coffee is a stimulant, containing caffeine (usually 80 and 140 mg for each 207 ml depending on the preparation method).
History
The history of coffee use began in the ninth century. Coffee originates from the highlands of Ethiopia (as well as in Sudan and Kenya ) and spread through the world, firstly through Egypt and Europe. Contrary to popular belief , the word coffee is not originally derived from the Kaffa, the place of origin of the plant , but the qahwa Arabic word, which means wine.
Utilities
Coffee is currently the most consumed beverage in the world, with approximately 400 billion cups a year served. Moderate coffee consumption ( three to four cups a day ) may prevent many health issues as diverse as Parkinson's disease , depression , diabetes , gallstones and colon cancer.
Markets
Futures and arabica coffee options contracts are traded primarily on the Commodities and Futures Exchange (BM&F) , on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) and the Intercontinental Commodities Exchange (ICE) . Robusta coffee futures and options contracts are traded mainly on the London Mercantile Exchange (LIFFE) and the Intercontinental Commodities Exchange (ICE) .
