Celebrating National Coffee Day

According to the National Coffee Association (yes, there is such a thing!), 67% of adults in the U.S. drink coffee. But, according to the National Library of Medicine, that number could be even higher, closer to 75% who drink it daily. That is an estimated 154 million folks walking around on a caffeine high! But no one needs statistics to know that Americans are in love with coffee. Nearly every person we pass on the street is touting a Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts cup. But why this obsession and where did National Coffee Day come from?

The History of National Coffee Day

National Coffee Day falls on Sunday, Sept. 29 this year. It is a day of global celebration for coffee lovers and recognition for those in the coffee industry as well as promotion of fair trade coffee. The holiday was launched in 2015 by the International Coffee Organization whose goal was to bring together exporting and importing governments and fight the challenges in the coffee world.

To better understand our obsession with coffee and how it has become so ingrained in our society, it’s helpful to mull over a little coffee history.

The first coffee shop

Coffee is thought to have originated from a region called Kaffa in Ethiopia over 1,000 years ago. Sometime in the 16th century the first coffee shop, Kiva Han, opened in Constantinople, which is now Istanbul, Turkey. Kiva Han became a lively gathering place for locals and travelers. People with different backgrounds, such as artists, scholars, and merchants would meet and discuss politics, exchange ideas and engage in intellectual conversations over a cup of coffee. However, in 1633, coffee houses and wine shops were closed because people could meet and spend their time criticizing the government.

Coffee causes a stir in Europe

The Kiva Han establishment sparked a coffeehouse revolution that spread quickly through Europe from Venice to London. The first coffeehouses in London were know as “penny universities” as coffee was one penny a cup and people stayed to learn about the news of the day, exchange their opinions and debate current issues.

As cafes continued to expand throughout Europe, the iconic Café Porcope in Paris was opened. It quickly became a symbol of sophistication and literary brilliance. It was popular with writers, intellectuals, and philosophers such as Voltaire and Rousseau. This café and others yet to come, had an enormous impact on society. The unique environments were springboards for shaping cultural trends, and political and economic developments.

Coffee crosses the Atlantic

Coffee was introduced to the settlers of Jamestown around 1607 by Captain John Smith, however, it was not well received as most people preferred to drink tea. By the mid-1700’s, however, many taverns began serving coffee as well, even though tea remained the drink of choice. It wasn’t until the Boston Tea Party, when it was considered unpatriotic to drink tea, that coffee finally started to gain ground.

What’s brewin’ today?

Fast forward to current day, coffeehouses may look vastly different than they did centuries ago, but they are still social hubs where people gather, interact and network. They provide a casual, flexible space for everyone from teens to grandparents, artists to business workers. They support local groups, clubs and community events. Toss in free Wi-Fi and comfortable seating and suddenly, you have an enticing work environment that fosters creativity and brainstorming.

What is fair trade coffee?

Coffee farming can be a risky business from which farmers can struggle to make money. Fair trade coffee is coffee that is grown and certified to meet certain standards that support farmers and their communities. Some of these standards include, fair compensation for coffee laborers, sustainable farming practices, safe working conditions and protection of forced and child labor, workers rights and environmental protection. While fair trade coffee may fetch a higher price, the price difference reflects the fair compensation paid to farmers, the higher quality of beans and the cost of the certification.

Just for fun

Here are a couple of fun facts about coffee that you might not know.

• Coffee is a fruit, despite it being called a “bean.” Coffee “beans” grow on a bush and are found in the center of a berry known as a coffee cherry.
• Coffee wasn’t always enjoyed at breakfast. Prior to the 18th century, beer was the morning beverage of choice!
• During the 18th century some governments tried to ban coffee because they thought it stimulated radical thinking.
• Beethoven was obsessed with coffee and meticulously counted out 60 beans for each cup.

Celebrate

Let's get out and enjoy National Coffee Day on Sunday, Sept. 29! And, be sure to raise your mug and toast those dedicated coffee farmers!

Pin it!

Photo courtesy Pixabay/fancycrave1