Imagine waking up to the irresistible aroma of coffee as it fills the crisp morning air—it’s pure bliss! Coffee has traveled a long way from its humble origins in ancient times. What better way to honor this iconic beverage than by celebrating National Coffee Day? But wait, when is National Coffee Day?
National Coffee Day is celebrated on September 29th and, in our opinion, a highly underrated national holiday. Sure, it’s not technically a “real” holiday, but we’ll take any reason to host a glorious annual celebration where casual sippers and hardcore coffee enthusiasts unite in their shared love for this awesomely delicious beverage. So mark your calendar because on this special coffee day, the only thing stronger than your coffee should be your enthusiasm! Grab your favorite mug, sit back, and savor every sip as we embark on a caffeinated journey through the history of coffee and explore some modern trends and recipes to make your celebration extra special.
Coffee Day Origins - A Short Sip Through History
One of the most important things to celebrate this special coffee day is how this beverage came to be the drink we know and love today. The great coffee journey begins with the legend of Kaldi and his dancing goats. According to Ethiopian folklore, Kaldi was a goat herder who noticed his goats acting particularly energetic after nibbling on some red coffee cherries. Intrigued, he shared his findings with local monks, who used the berries to make a drink that helped them stay awake during evening prayers. Over time, this drink would eventually be refined and perfected to become the world’s most beloved caffeinated beverage.
But how did coffee go from goat-approved berries to the global phenomenon it is today? Let's take a quick journey through coffee’s fascinating history:
Early Coffee Trade and Expansion
After its discovery in Ethiopia, coffee eventually made its way across the Red Sea to Yemen. Here, Sufi monks embraced coffee as a beverage that enhanced concentration during their religious rituals. What really kicked off the popularity was when the monks experimented with the drink and isolated the caffeine within the beans rather than from the tart cherries. By the 15th century, coffeehouses known as "qahveh khaneh" began popping up throughout the Middle East. These old-school coffee places became cultural hubs where people gathered to drink coffee, play chess, and generally hang out - similar to how modern people schmooze at coffee shops today.
Coffee’s Journey to Europe and the Americas
In the 17th century, European travelers brought coffee back to their home countries. Initially met with suspicion and even called the “bitter invention of Satan,” coffee eventually won over the populace (probably because they realized it was an amazing drink). Pope Clement VIII supposedly blessed coffee, making it acceptable for Christians to drink. From there, coffeehouses quickly grew in popularity in cities like London and Paris, becoming known as "penny universities" for the intellectual discussions they fostered. Coffee found its way to America, where it gained immense popularity after the Boston Tea Party in 1773 when tea fell out of favor from early settlers, and Americans looked for alternatives to tea. This would be a pivotal moment in the history of coffee in America.
Coffee Culture Today
According to Statista, there are over 38,000 coffee shops in the USA in 2022. These shops include independent/small shops and chain shops like Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Scooters Coffee, and Tim Hortons. Today’s coffee culture is all about experimentation and personalization, from artisanal single-origin beans to cold brew and nitro coffee. Coffee is the world’s second most traded commodity after oil, and over 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed globally every day. When is National Coffee Day? September 29th, you’ll want to mark that on your calendar!
Types of Coffee Beans
If you’ve ever read the packaging on a bag of coffee beans, you have most likely read the phrase “100% Arabica beans” somewhere on the package or box. But what does that really refer to? There are core types of beans: arabica and robusta beans. Within these two types of beans are several sub-species of coffee beans, but for the purpose of this comparison, it’s best to stick to how the industry describes them.
Arabica Beans: these beans are currently the most popular and historians believe that these beans are the most likely to be the first cultivated coffee beans in the Arabian peninsula, which is where they get their namesake. Arabica coffee cherries have a higher sugar content when grown and are noted to have a fruitier, tangier, and sweeter taste. Arabica beans are also grown at a higher elevation than robusta, most trees are found between 2600 to 8200 feet in elevation. The largest grower of arabica beans is currently Brazil!
Robusta Beans: these beans are less popular due to their comparatively lower sugar content. Robusta beans are often described as having a darker, woody, spicy, and/or bitter taste. Growing conditions for robusta are usually at sea level to 2600 feet, and these trees typically yield a larger harvest than their arabica counterparts. Robusta beans are primarily grown in Vietnam as of 2023.
So, what does knowing all these facts about coffee have to do with National Coffee Day? Don’t worry, we’ll get there. Hang on to your lids, and let’s talk about the brews.
Coffee Culture and Trends - Sip and Savor
As coffee culture has evolved, so have the trends that shape how we enjoy our favorite brew. Here's a quick look at some of the hottest (or coldest, if you like it chilled) trends in coffee brewing and culture today:
Luxury At-Home Coffee
One of the most recent trends is the rise of coffee influencers on TikTok. Everyone seems to want to be an influencer, and there has been a wave of coffee-focused channels that feature extraordinary espresso drinks being made with precision equipment. Every part of the coffee-making process from these coffee-influencers is extremely detailed from the single-origin beans, the weight of the beans, the grind consistency, the temperature consistency, the humidity of the beans before grinding, and the list goes on! If you have the time to painstakingly create a cup of coffee, good for you! But for the rest of us, we just love a fast and good cup of joe like the kind you expect from 7-Eleven.
Cold Brew and Nitro Cold Brew
While cold brew has been around for a long time, this trending method of brewing coffee was made popular when franchise coffee shops like Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts started testing across the world. Cold brew is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for 12-24 hours, resulting in a smooth, less acidic drink. Some shops and beverage bottlers have taken this a step further with nitro cold brew. Nitro cold brew is made by infusing cold brew with nitrogen gas, giving it a creamy, frothy texture; some describe it as similar to a stout beer (only without the alcohol).
Compact Manual Coffee
For the adventurous and outdoor enthusiasts who want good coffee, the latest and greatest trend is the compact coffee maker. While there are many different manufacturers, Aeropress is the coffee-making company that started this trend by combining elements of a French press with a smaller version using a paper filter to prevent any particulates. Brewing a coffee using a piston-style brewer is almost exactly like a Frenchpress with some minor differences like rinsing the paper filter before brewing, ensuring that the piston is not pushed too hard, etc. Many hiking and camping enthusiasts swear by this method of brewing and claim that it's as good as any other cup of coffee!
From global traditions to local trends, it's time to put your barista apron on and dive into some fun ways to celebrate the coffee day in the next section.
Concise Coffee Day Verbiage
If you want to celebrate National Coffee Day like a true professional, you’re going to want to nail down some impressive industry vocabulary. Here are some common terms you can use to impress your friends and family for your National Coffee Day celebration:
- Coffee beans: Referring to the actual pit of the coffee cherry. The “beans” are actually the pit of the cherry. Cherries are rarely eaten as a fruit due to their tart and acidic taste. The waste byproduct is often sold as animal feed.
- Crema: This is a common term when talking about expresso. Crema refers to the golden-brown froth that forms on top of a freshly brewed espresso.
- Bloom: The bubbling up of carbon dioxide when hot water hits freshly ground coffee. This is an indicator of freshness because coffee beans will naturally release carbon dioxide after they are roasted.
- Washed: This coffee vocabulary term refers to the method of processing coffee. Washed is the most common method for processing coffee; when harvested, the cherries are carried by water and pass through a pulping machine which presses the cherry to remove the bean (or, more accurately, the pit).
- Unwashed: This process happens when the beans are left inside of the fruit and dried out like raisins. The beans are removed from the fruit after drying. Unwashed beans are often described as fruitier and have more pronounced flavors.
National Coffee Day Party Planning - Caffeine and Celebration
In a poll conducted by CBS News, 43 percent of adults aged 18-34 favored mornings between the hours of 5:00 AM and noon. If you’re not one of these natural morning people, then you’re going to need a pick-me-up for National Coffee Day! Here are some ideas and games you can play to celebrate in the morning and early afternoon hours:
Coffee Tasting Bar (A Journey for the Taste Buds)
Create a tasting bar featuring different brewing methods (drip, French press, espresso, etc.) and coffee origins (Ethiopia, Colombia, Brazil). Provide tasting notes and flavor wheels to guide your guests through the coffee experience. Pair each coffee style with complimentary pastries (croissants, biscotti, scones). For the non-die-hard coffee purists, remember to offer a variety of creamers and alternative milk options.
Coffee Day and Pastry Pairing (Breakfast Bliss)
Create a pairing menu with popular pastries and matching coffee styles.
- Croissant + French Roast: A buttery croissant pairs perfectly with a rich French roast.
- Biscotti + Espresso: The crunchy biscotti dipped in a shot of espresso is an Italian classic.
- Scone + Cappuccino: Light scones with a frothy cappuccino make for a delightful breakfast.
These are just some classic pairing suggestions, but you can get creative with your celebration. Consider letting your friends and family bring their own pairings and all can vote on their favorites!
Coffee Trivia and Games (Brewed Competition)
Test your coffee connoisseurs on their knowledge with detailed trivia questions like “Which country drinks the most coffee per capita?”, “Where did the term ‘cup of joe’ originate?”, “Who invented instant coffee?” or throw in some questions about arabica and robusta bean types! The winner wins, you guessed it, a bag of coffee!
Celebrate with 7-Eleven
National Coffee Day is the perfect opportunity to revel in the fascinating history, trends, and unique flavors of coffee. From Kaldi's dancing goats to today's coffee culture trends like nitro cold brew and luxurious at-home brewing, it's clear that coffee has come a long way. Make your National Coffee Day special by heading to 7-Eleven, where you'll find freshly brewed coffee in a variety of blends and flavors. Whether you're craving a rich Colombian roast, a smooth hazelnut blend, or an indulgent caramel macchiato, 7-Eleven has you covered.
When is National Coffee Day? Mark your calendar for September 29th! Grab your favorite cup and celebrate National Coffee Day with a visit to 7-Eleven, where every sip is brewed to perfection. Life's too short for bad coffee, so let 7-Eleven fuel your caffeine fix with their delicious options. Cheers to National Coffee Day!
