While the U.S. and Canada celebrate National Coffee Day on September 29, other nations mark this day throughout the calendar. International Coffee Day happens just two days later on October 1. The International Coffee Organization has pledged to help struggling coffee farmers worldwide make a living wage.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL COFFEE DAY
The history of National Coffee Day seems a bit, well, cloudy. We believe September 29 came about as a jolting reminder to get back to work following a long summer — even though it’s a full week after the first day of fall. After all, Americans have turned procrastination into an art form.
On the other hand, the history of coffee itself clearly goes back to 15th century Yemen. (Check out Dave Eggers’ recent book for a fascinating look at how it all went down.) As for Europeans, they got their first taste about 100 years later — with Venice leading the way. Per the National Coffee Association, it wasn’t a smooth ride: “Some people reacted to this new beverage with suspicion or fear, calling it the ‘bitter invention of Satan.’ The local clergy condemned coffee when it came to Venice in 1615. The controversy was so great that Pope Clement VIII was asked to intervene. He decided to taste the beverage for himself before making a decision, and found the drink so satisfying that he gave it papal approval.”
Mainland Europe’s first official coffeehouse (no, they didn’t serve lattes) opened in Venice around 1645.
Back in the U.S., if it weren’t for the Boston Tea Party in 1773, Americans may never have swapped tea for coffee. When the colonies revolted against King George III’s hefty tea tax, tea was out and coffee was in. Things really started to percolate in the mid 1800s when brothers John and Charles Arbuckle started selling coffee to cowboys in the American West. James Folger successfully introduced coffee to gold miners in California. Upon returning to San Francisco in 1865, Folger became a full partner of The Pioneer Steam Coffee and Spice Mills — which eventually became the J.A. Folger & Co. in 1872.
Other brands including Maxwell House and Hills Brothers soon entered the coffee market. A yearning for “speciality” coffee took hold in the 1960s and a little Seattle company called Starbucks changed everything in 1971. Today the U.S. coffee shop market has grown to a $45.4 billion industry, according to Allegra World Coffee Portal’s 2019 Project Café USA report. Dry coffee sales topped $9 billion in 2017 in the U.S.
Thanks King George III!
NATIONAL COFFEE DAY TIMELINE
- 2012
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Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee
Jerry Seinfeld combines classic cars, cute coffee shops, and the world’s top comedians to create improvised TV vignettes. One episode features Seinfeld and President Obama driving around the White House grounds in a 1963 Corvette Stingray. (Obama was born in 1961.)
1723
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One seedling starts it all
Coffee in the Americas and the Caribbean, came from a single seedling transported to Martinique by a French naval officer.
Mid-1600’s
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Coffee arrives in the colonies
The British bring coffee with them to New Amsterdam, modern-day New York City, and a morning craving is born!
17th century
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Europe gets a taste
When European traders and merchants discover coffee in the Middle East, the brew’s popularity catches on and spreads throughout the continent.16th century
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Coffee becomes a Middle Eastern “thing”
Along with tea, thirsty people start drinking coffee throughout the Middle East in countries like Persia (modern-day Iran,) Turkey, Egypt, and Syria.15th century
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Coffee grows and trade begins
Coffee becomes a commodity used for trade and commerce in Arabia’s Yemeni district.
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NATIONAL COFFEE DAY FAQS
1. Is Starbucks doing anything for National Coffee Day? Starbuck don’t traditionally offer any deals on National Coffee Day. However it’s always worth checking in as the day approaches in case that changes. We will keep you updated.
2. Who has free coffee on National Coffee Day?. Check out the discounts section on our National Coffee Day page to see who is offering free coffee on National Coffee Day this year. We will update the page in the days leading up to the holiday as the offers begin to get announced.
3. Who is celebrating National Coffee Day? In the U.S. and Canada we celebrate National Coffee Day on September 29, other nations mark this day at varying points throughout the year. Checkout to our around the world section to see when other countries observe the holiday.
FREE COFFEE AND COFFEE DAY DEALS
Krispy Kreme. Krispy Kreme is the place to be this National Coffee Day as all guests will receive a free brewed coffee, with no purchase necessary. If you’re a reward member then it’s even better, you’ll be able to grab a free brewed coffee and a free doughnut.
High Brew Coffee. Get your fingers and thumbs at the ready because on September 29 at 2PM in every timezone High Brew Coffee will be offering a limited number of free product coupons that can be used in named retail outlets. If you manage to get your hands on a coupon then you’ll be able to pop into one of the names stores and grab yourself a can of coffee.
Dunkin’. Dunkin’ has gone all out and renamed it National Dunkin’ Day. What do you get on National Dunkin’ Day on Tuesday, September 29? A free medium hot or iced coffee with any purchase at their restaurants, with the offer being limited to one per order.
McDonald’s. If you take up the offer within the McDonald’s app then you’ll be able to grab yourself a Premium Roast or Iced Coffee for $0.99.
Godiva. Godiva will be offering 30% of coffee bags throughout National Coffee Day. You can pop into one of their stores or take advantage of the offer online.
Sheetz. Order through the Sheetz app on National Coffee Day and you can claim a free cold brew.
NATIONAL COFFEE DAYS AROUND THE WORLD
1. Costa Rica. September 12 – A day for our friends in Costa Rica to celebrate everything coffee related. Costa Rican coffee is regarded as among the best in the world.
2. Ireland. September 19 – We have a National Irish Coffee Day over here, but in Ireland they just call it National Coffee Day and they celebrate it in September every year.
3. Japan. October 1 – This is the day that our Japanese friends have chosen to honor coffee.
4. Brazil. May 24 – Coffee production in Brazil is responsible for around a third of all coffee. This is their day to celebrate the drink.
NATIONAL COFFEE DAY BY NUMBERS
75% – Caffeine consumed by Americans that comes as a coffee
66% – Of women drink coffee every day
62% – Of men drink coffee every day
100 – The age a coffee plant can live up to
5.7 billion – Pound of coffee Brazil exports every year
3.1 – The number of coffees the average American drinks each day
400 million – coffees consumed throughout America every day
146 billion – coffees consumed in America each year
3 BUZZWORTHY WAYS TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL COFFEE DAY
1. Meet and greet at a coffee house.National Coffee Day encourages folks to gather at their favorite coffee shop for the conversation as well as the java. After all, that was the original functon of coffee houses from as early as the 1700s. In England, coffee houses were dubbed “penny universities” because for the cost of a penny, one could drink a strong coffee and find intelligent, engaging conversation — just like today!
2. Experiment with a new brewing method. If you’re ready to move beyond your same-old, same-old coffee brewer, it’s time to get adventurous. Lots of Americans swear by the taste of coffee produced in a French press. Others prefer Chemex brewers, Turkish coffee pots, or cold-brew drip makers. Whichever method you try, make sure the coffee is excellent quality, because that’s what really matters!
3. Surprise someone with a cup of joe. Pick up a cup of coffee for a coworker, friend, family member, schoolmate, or even the security guard you pass on the street everyday. Don’t forget to wish them a happy National Coffee Day during the hand off!
5 THINGS TO THINK ABOUT WHILE YOU SATISFY YOUR COFFEE JONES
1. Coffee brought folks together. In England, early coffee houses, increasingly known as “Schools for the Wise,” became gathering places for intellectual pursuits, entertainment and table games, like chess.
2. In Japan, you can soak in coffee at the spa. Hakone Kowakien Yunessun hot springs spa gives you the option to soak in a coffee bath, along with 26 other choices including red wine, sake or green tea.
3. Sweden tried death by coffee — it didn’t work. In 1746, Swedish King Gustav III ordered doctors to monitor how long it took convicted murderers to die after drinking cups of coffee, according to the National Coffee Association.
4. Coffee bean is a misnomer — it’s a fruit. You probably already know this but, to be clear, coffee springs from the fruit of a bush and the so-called “bean,” is the pit.
5. Beethoven was practically obsessive-compulsive about coffee. Before drinking his morning brew, the composer, Beethoven, actually counted out 60 coffee beans for each cup he brewed.
JUST 3 OF THE MILLION OR SO REASONS WE LOVE COFFEE
1. It’s a sensory experience. Coffee makes us feel good first thing in the morning and it makes use of all our senses. We love that deep brown or black color because the richer the color, the more flavorful the brew. Grinding the beans and inhaling the earthy smell of the grounds as we brew is all part of our daily ritual. At the end, you’re rewarded with the sensuous taste of a good, strong cup of joe to get you going for the rest of the day!
2. You can find great coffee anytime, anywhere. Now that coffee has gone “designer,” it’s easier than ever to get your coffee buzz on. Thanks to Seattle, America’s coffee capital, coffee caters to people in the biggest cities and in the smallest towns. From the classic Dunkin’ Donuts to Starbucks, you can always satisfy your coffee craving. Get a “regular” in New York City or a cappuccino in San Francisco. Caribou holds it down in the Midwest and in the South, grab a delicious coffee at any Waffle House — they’re open 24/7!
3. Coffee is good for your brain. Coffee isn’t just a beverage that perks us up. It actually helps our brains produce dopamine and adrenaline, improving our memories. Studies show that regular coffee consumption can reduce the likelihood of developing dementia by as much as 65%!
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