Every year on October 1, people around the world come together to celebrate International Coffee Day. It’s not just about enjoying a cup of coffee – it’s a special day to:
- Appreciate the people who grow, harvest, and process coffee beans – especially farmers.
- Celebrate the diversity and culture of coffee.
- Talk about fair trade and ways to support farmers who often face challenges like low pay and climate change.
- Promote sustainable coffee farming
History of Coffee Day
The origin of International Coffee Day is a little unclear, but here’s what we know:
- In 1983, the All Japan Coffee Association held a coffee-related event in Japan.
- In 2005, the U.S. first used the term "National Coffee Day."
- In 2009, the Southern Food and Beverage Museum in New Orleans used the term "International Coffee Day" during a coffee festival.
- In 2014, the International Coffee Organization (ICO) officially decided to celebrate the day.
- Finally, the first official International Coffee Day was celebrated on October 1, 2015, in Milan, Italy.
Who Makes Your Coffee?
When you enjoy a hot or iced coffee drink, have you ever thought about where it came from? Here's a quick coffee journey:
- Farmers grow coffee plants (mostly in warm countries like Brazil, Ethiopia, Colombia, and Vietnam).
- They pick the coffee beans (which are actually the seeds of the coffee cherry).
- The beans are processed and roasted to get that rich smell and flavor.
- Baristas and coffee shop owners serve it to you in creative and tasty ways.
- This day is a tribute to all these hardworking people – especially the millions of farmers whose labor makes our daily coffee possible.
Coffee Facts & Fun Trivia!
Did you know that over 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed every day around the world? That’s a lot of coffee!
Here are some fun facts you can share with your friends:
- Coffee is the second most traded product in the world, after oil!
- Brazil is the largest coffee producer in the world.
- Coffee was discovered by goats! Legend says that a goat herder named Kaldi noticed his goats acting playful after eating berries from a coffee tree.
- The world’s most expensive coffee is called Kopi Luwak, made using beans that have been digested by a civet cat!
- Drinking coffee in moderation can improve alertness and mood.
- But too much coffee can cause restlessness, anxiety, or trouble sleeping.
Further Reading