You’re probably about to read this article thinking I am going to reveal some disgusting, unhealthy facts about coffee. Before you begin, I just want you to know your assumptions are completely false. Because I, myself, have a (small) addiction to coffee, I thought I’d do some intense research of where my coffee comes from.

Think about it. Every morning you wake up, you’re tired, cranky, and most likely are dreading going to school or work. Having that one cup of coffee can truly alter your entire mood and overall performance of your daily activities. But what is it that makes our coffee so incredibly delicious and mesmerizing? It isn’t the creamy bit of half and half we pour into our mugs, or perhaps the teaspoon of sugar. It’s the farmers that gather the coffee beans in the first place.

According to some research, after coffee bean farmers have collected their coffee cherries, each coffee bean that is flawed or discolored is removed by hand. Every grain of coffee in our cups every morning was once touched by a human hand that wanted us to have a great day. Of course, though this can be hard work, the daily wages of these coffee farmers depends on the weight of coffee beans collected throughout the week. Interesting, no? I personally think they deserve more considering the amount of people that purchase, make, and/or drink coffee every day.

Also, just a few more interesting facts: most coffee cherry famers are males, especially in countries where the coffee demand is higher such as Brazil and India. In countries such as Ethiopia, due to the fact that the coffee demand is slower, they have females working the coffee farms, collecting the beans, separating them, and packaging them.

So while you sit and enjoy your cup of coffee, I’m not saying it’s wrong to thank the barista at Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks for making your coffee just how you like it. But also thank the hard working farmers that got the beans to make your aromatic cup of coffee possible in the first place.