Coffee lovers unite for a daylong celebration of morning joe
October 1 is International Coffee Day, a day of celebration honoring coffee and promoting awareness of issues facing the coffee community.
This special day recognizes the millions of people around the world — from coffee farmers to roasters, baristas, and coffee companies — who together serve an estimated three billion cups of coffee to patrons around the world every day.
Coffee beans have been harvested throughout the world for more than 600 years. Coffee has been served as drinks, candies, medicine, and even as currency!
No matter how you take it, coffee can energize you, warm you up, refresh you, keep you awake, and provide you a great reason to have a coffee klatch with your loved ones.
The Legend
Legend says goat herders discovered the effect caffeine had on their goats and sheep, who appeared to ‘dance’ after eating the coffee plant’s fruit. A monk then made a beverage with the fruit and discovered it kept him awake during the night; hence, the coffee cup was born.
Can this be true? I don’t know, but it’s a great story.
Where is the most coffee grown?
Coffee plants are only grown in tropical or subtropical climates.
Central and South America produce the most coffee beans of the major growing regions, in addition to Brazil and Colombia. Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Panama are also prime coffee growing regions.
Why do we love International Coffee Day?
Coffee has been a part of human civilization since ancient times, and nearly every society has a coffee culture — whether it’s cultivating the bean or preparing the drink. In a world so divided by differences, coffee is one simple tradition that can bring us all together.
What’s more, International Coffee Day works to better the growing, harvesting and processing of coffee, promoting healthy and safe practices for both humans and the planet.
It also raises awareness of the need for safer working conditions and fair wages for the hardworking coffee farmers around the globe.
Five great facts about coffee
- According to a recent study, coffee drinkers not only tend to live longer, but also have a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Coffee is the second-largest traded commodity after crude oil, and the most-consumed beverage after water.
- Ludwig van Beethoven was a coffee lover! He used to count his beans before making the brew: 60 beans per cup!
- Coffee’s not a bean, it’s a fruit. Coffee comes from the fruit of a bush; the so-called “bean” is a berry.
- Starbucks opens an average of two new coffee stores per day.
There is something magical about the way coffee brightens our mood and jump-starts our day.
Here’s hoping you enjoy a good, strong brew to get you going for the whole day!
