On October 1, which is International Coffee Day every year, coffee lovers from all over the world come together to honor one of the most famous drinks. Coffee has grown from a simple drink used to wake people up in Ethiopia to a worldwide cultural event. It’s more than just a way to wake up in the morning; it’s a sign of connection, tradition and new ideas.
How Coffee Got Its Start
There is a story that a goat herder called Kaldi found coffee in Ethiopia around the year 930. He saw that when his goats ate red berries from a certain tree, they got very active. Kaldi tried the berries and felt the same feeling of energy boost. People finally grew coffee plants and made coffee into a drink because of this discovery.
By the 1400s, coffee had made its way to the Arabian Peninsula and became a mainstay in qahveh khaneh, which are public coffee shops. Early coffee shops turned into social places where people met to talk about ideas, listen to music and have deep conversations. After that, coffee made its way to Europe and then to the Americas, where it became an important part of society around the world.
Why International Coffee Day Is Important
To honor the trip of coffee, from the farmers who grow the beans to the people who drink them, the International Coffee Organization (ICO) created International Coffee Day in 2015. The goal of the day is to bring attention to the problems facing the coffee industry, especially when it comes to fair trade and sustainability.
Many people need coffee every day, but International Coffee Day makes us think of the millions of small farmers who make the business possible. Growing coffee takes a lot of work, and farmers often have to deal with economic problems, changing prices and the effects of climate change. The day brings attention to efforts to support fair trade and make sure that farmers are paid fairly for their work.
The World’s Coffee Culture
Even though everyone loves coffee, the ways it is made and drunk varies from place to place, which makes it more culturally significant.
Italy: Italy is known as the home of espresso and people there drink strong, small cups of coffee very quickly in cafes. A lot of coffee drinks, like cappuccinos and lattes, start with the simple espresso.
Turkey: Coffee is more than just a drink in Turkey; it’s an art form. Turkish coffee is made slowly and served without a filter. A bit of Turkish delight is often served with it. In 2013, UNESCO added it to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage because it is such an important part of the culture.
Ethiopia: Because Ethiopia is where coffee was first made, they have a unique custom called the coffee ceremony. During this ceremony, coffee is roasted, brewed, and served in a way that can take hours. This ceremony shows how important coffee is to Ethiopian society on a social and spiritual level.
Japan: The coffee culture in Japan is a mix of new ideas and old traditions. Japan is a leader in the third wave coffee movement, which focuses on high-quality beans, craft brewing methods, and sustainability. There are more specialty coffee shops opening all over the world.
The Rise of Specialty Coffee
With the rise of specialty coffee, also called “third-wave coffee,” over the last few decades, coffee culture has changed. This trend is all about the art of making coffee, with a focus on single-origin beans, craft roasting and careful brewing techniques. Coffee lovers can now try a huge range of flavors, from fruity and floral Ethiopian mixes to rich, chocolatey Brazilian ones.
Specialty coffee shops have become cultural hubs, drawing in a new group of coffee lovers who value the skill that goes into making each cup. As the coffee business grows, more and more people want it to be open and follow moral standards.
Coffee and the Environment
Even though coffee is popular all over the world, the business has a hard time making sure that production is sustainable. Coffee is mostly grown in poor countries, usually by small farmers who depend on this crop for their income. Rising temperatures and unpredictable rain are some of the effects of climate change that are threatening coffee crops and quality, especially for the Arabica species, which is very sensitive to changes in climate.
Many groups are pushing for safe farming methods to help solve these problems. There are certifications like Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance and UTZ that work to make sure that coffee is grown in a way that doesn’t hurt the environment and that farmers get paid fairly. People who buy approved coffee are very important because they support both fair production and protecting the environment.
Interesting Facts about Coffee
Brazil grows the most coffee in the world, and Vietnam comes in second.
The average Finn drinks about 12 kg (26 lbs) of coffee a year, which is more than any other country.
In the U.S. in the 1950s, the phrase “coffee break” became common, which solidified coffee’s place in the workplace.
Decaf coffee does have some caffeine in it; about 2 to 5 percent of the caffeine that is in regular coffee.
How to Celebrate International Coffee Day
You can celebrate International Coffee Day by having your favorite cup of coffee, but there are also many other clever ways to mark the day.
Try a New Brew: Try a different type of coffee or a different way to make coffee. There are a lot of different ways to make coffee, from the French press to the pour-over.
Support Ethical Coffee Brands: Buy coffee from companies that support fair trade and environmentally friendly methods. To make sure you’re buying from responsible farmers, look for signs that say certified.
Visit a Local Coffee Shop: Today is International Coffee Day, which is a great time to support your local coffee shop and enjoy some gourmet coffee.
Hold a Coffee Tasting: Have family and friends over for a coffee tasting. To get a feel for the many tastes coffee has to offer, try a variety of beans and making methods.
Learn About the History of Coffee: Learn more about the history of coffee and how it got from old Ethiopia to your cup. A lot of films and books have been written about the interesting effects of coffee on people around the world.
A Salute to Coffee
On International Coffee Day, you can enjoy a simple cup of black coffee or a rich latte and think about the history, culture, and hard work that went into making each drink. So raise your mug and thank everyone who works in the coffee industry around the world, from the farms to the baristas and everyone in between.
Have a great International Coffee Day!