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

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19,222 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.

In recent years, the “locally grown” movement for food and beverage has increased in popularity. What are the pros and cons of eating and drinking “locally grown,” compared to the more global process described here for coffee?

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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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