Every year on October 1st, as the enchanting colors of autumn appear with falling leaves symbolizing nostalgia and memories—where endings are just new beginnings—millions around the world gather over their morning cups of coffee. These cups bring energy and vitality to the day while celebrating the beverage that unites all communities during International Coffee Day.
The Official Drink of Every Morning
International Coffee Day is celebrated annually on October 1st. Coffee beans have traveled across the globe for over 600 years, moving daily from tropical Africa into cups worldwide. Preparing coffee is a reflection of this long evolution.
Historically, humans have enjoyed coffee as a drink, a dessert, a medicine, and even, in some ancient civilizations, as currency. Today, coffee is the official morning beverage, a companion to conversations, discussions, and meetings. It is a joyful way to connect with others, share stories, and savor every sip—whether hot, cold, with additives, or plain—bringing people together through its aroma and the pleasure it evokes.
International Coffee Day 2025: Theme of the Year
International Coffee Day is not just about drinking coffee; it is a moment to celebrate coffee lovers and support millions of farmers whose livelihoods depend on this crop. The day emphasizes the diversity, quality, and passion within the coffee industry. It also highlights issues such as sustainable farming, climate change, gender diversity, fair trade, and farmers’ livelihoods.
The celebration officially began in March 2014, when the member countries of the International Coffee Organization (ICO) agreed to mark October 1st as a global coffee celebration.
A Fascinating Story of Coffee’s Discovery
According to the ICO, coffee originated in Ethiopia. Its discovery is linked to an intriguing story: around the 7th century, a herd of goats behaved strangely, as if dancing. Their owner, Kaldi, discovered they had eaten red berries that caused this effect. He shared the discovery with a monk who needed something to stay awake during prayers. Another version of the story claims the monk initially rejected the berries and threw them into a fire, producing a delightful aroma.
Coffee then traveled north to Yemen in the 15th century, where the beans were called “Mocha.” Soon, it spread to Egypt, Persia, and Turkey, and coffeehouses were established as “schools of the wise.” The Arabian Peninsula became a gateway for coffee cultivation, which later expanded to southern India, Europe in the 16th century, and eventually America, spreading coffee worldwide.
5 Coffee Facts You Should Know
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Health Benefits: A Harvard Health Publishing study found that coffee drinkers tend to live longer and have a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases.
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Global Trade: Coffee is the second most traded commodity after crude oil and the most consumed beverage after water.
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Creativity and Art: Coffee is a drink for creatives; Beethoven famously counted coffee beans before preparing each cup—usually 60 beans per cup.
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Coffee “Beans”: Coffee beans are actually berries, not true beans.
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Caffeine Effects: Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, boosting energy, alertness, and mental performance.
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