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The life cycle of a cup of coffee - A.J. Jacobs

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19,949 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

How many people does it take to make a cup of coffee? For many of us, all it takes is a short walk and a quick pour. But this simple staple is the result of a globe-spanning process whose cost and complexity are far greater than you might imagine. AJ Jacobs traces the journey of this caffeinated elixir from seed to cup.

Coffee has a far more complex production process than many people realize. What are some other seemingly-simple common or popular products that may have a similarly complex process?

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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator A.J. Jacobs
  • Director Biljana Labović
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Storyboard Artist Biljana Labović
  • Animator Daniella Schnitzer
  • Art Director Daniella Schnitzer
  • Sound Designer Weston Fonger
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Fact-Checker Eden Girma

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