Brainteaser: ‘Who Gets Coffee First’ Riddle Has Everyone Rushing to Solve It

Brainteaser: ‘Who Gets Coffee First’ Riddle Has Everyone Rushing to Solve It
(Illustration - Shutterstock)
Michael Wing
4/15/2019
Updated:
5/7/2020
From the archives: This story was last updated in April 2019.
Let’s warm up the brain cells. Here’s a little riddle that could either be a breeze or potentially reveal your impulsiveness. It depends on how perceptive you are.
A Twitter user shared a popular brainteaser, with many people rushing to solve it but coming up with all sorts of answers.

The problem itself involves some water pipes and a medium that isn’t water but black coffee.

Don’t be put off at first glance; it’s not that complicated. The question is “Who gets coffee first?”

Despite the simple question, some people rushed to a mistaken conclusion, just like this one below.

The answer above, despite receiving over 500 likes, shows people may need to take a deep breath, regulate their breathing, calm down, and take another look.

But still, there were quite a few other answers, which add to the fun of it all.

(Screenshot/Twitter)
(Screenshot/Twitter)
(Screenshot/Twitter)
(Screenshot/Twitter)

There was also this answer, which probably can’t be said to be wrong, if that were indeed the case...

(Screenshot/Twitter)
(Screenshot/Twitter)

Well, we hope you’ve tried it yourself before getting to this stage, for here’s the answer.

If you pay close attention, you will see that pipes 4, 9, and 7 are closed. That’s why only cup number 5 will get filled with coffee. Piece of cake, right? Mmmm ... cake would go well with the coffee too!

On another note, one user had another valid point, which we wouldn’t want to ignore:

(Screenshot/Twitter)
(Screenshot/Twitter)

Still wouldn’t mind that cake though!