National Coffee Day

Coffee drinkers, rejoice! Today, September 29th, is National Coffee Day!

Coffee is the nation’s pick-me-up and over 60 percent of Americans drink coffee every day! Coffee originated as a drink in the 15th century in the Middle East. It quickly spread throughout Europe, with Venice leading the way. In the US, the Boston Tea Party in 1773 spurred Americans to swap tea for coffee, and with heavy taxes on tea leading up to before the revolution, the Colonies fully embraced coffee. Coffee spread throughout the US when cowboys started drinking as the population spread west, with James Folger introducing it to gold minders in California. Maxwell House soon joined the American coffee ring, and in 1971 the first Starbucks opened in Seattle.

Coffee boasts many health benefits and it was even awarded approval by the Pope in 1615. More on the health benefits of coffee in the next post!

How to celebrate National Coffee Day:

-Visit a cafe! Instead of just drinking coffee on-the-go, slowly sip and savor the coffee in your favorite cafe.

-Free coffee?! Many of the nation’s biggest coffee retailers are giving out free coffee and special promotions!

-Try something new! If you are usually an iced coffee person, go for an espresso this time. Are you an instant coffee enthusiast? Explore french press or drip coffee.

-This is a day for coffee purists, steer away from sugar laden, calorie heavy coffee flavored beverages. You will not enjoy the health benefits of coffee from those confectionary drinks, and the sugar rush may end up making you feel more tired!

-Try different coffee blends! Coffee grows in many different regions in the world, such as Brazil, Colombia, Sumatra, Kenya, Guatemala, and more! Coffee from varied terrains gives it a different flavor!

-Eat the bean – yes, today is the opportunity to dig into chocolate covered coffee beans!