Coffee. To many, this beverage is a necessity. It is a lifeline for the sleep deprived, conversation starter for the office worker, saving grace to those who just need a pick-me-up. Whether you have a favorite region or simply need it to make it through the day, coffee is engrained in human culture. While many may be more familiar by the widely marketed National Coffee Day on September 29th, International Coffee Day on October 1st is a day to celebrate the little things that make everyone’s favorite addiction such a worldwide phenomenon.
In this piece, you will learn how International Coffee Day came to be, and how you can celebrate coffee today, and everyday.
Humble Beginnings
Behind every cup of coffee, from the single origin pour over to the grocery store staple, is a bean. International Coffee Day was created in 2014 by the International Coffee Organization (ICO) as a way to honor and celebrate the coffee bean while raising awareness of the plight of coffee growers. Since 2014, the ICO set a yearly focus each with the goal of tackling challenges and improving the global coffee sector.
How often do we think about where our coffee comes from? How has a pandemic affected the way coffee is grown and distributed? The International Coffee Day initiative for 2020 is Supporting the Next Generation. COVID-19 has posed a serious threat to the livelihood of coffee farmers and in turn the future of coffee. The ICO has committed their resources this year to “working together with youth organizations, industry leaders and associations, international organizations, development and financial partners and coffee consumers, to invest in the youth and bring to life their innovative ideas and enthusiasm to benefit the whole coffee community and to recover from the pandemic building a more prosperous future.” A worthwhile cause in a world trying to return to “normal.”
How We Can Help
Writing the future of coffee is something each of us has the opportunity to do. Inspiring the next generation of minds who will influence “nitro cold brew” level innovation starts with days like today. Both National Coffee Day and International Coffee Day are about celebrating a craft that simply cannot go away. Here are a few ways to ensure coffee culture stands the test of time.
- Try Something New – One of the simplest joys of coffee is discovery. So often we get set in our ways and develop a routine when ordering or making the same cup over and over. While finding a favorite is nice, coffee is like traveling. With beans and farmers around the world there are just too many experiences waiting to be found to keep yourself to one roast. Single origin and Fair Trade beans are a great place to start. Click here to find a bean origin that matches your preferences.
- Tell a Friend – If a joy of coffee is discovery, a joy of life is having people to share discovery with. From friends, to coworkers, coffee is always an excellent conversation starter. One conversation leads to another and suddenly both parties have a new perspective and potentially a new brewing method or ratio to try out. The more people you talk to, the more you will learn.
- Learn About Your Beans – The easiest way to gain a newfound respect for coffee is learning where it comes from and the risks coffee growers take to make sure they are exporting the highest quality product. In developing countries like Colombia where a majority of coffee exports are coming from, this business drives their GDP. Many coffee farmers live in poverty due to the volatility a business dictated by natural factors holds. Weather, pests, disease, and compensation are factors that continuously burden farmers. Having a deeper understanding for the journey your beans have taken leads to a greater appreciation for each cup.
At Aramark, we are passionate about our coffee and are always on the lookout for the latest and greatest. We hope you will join us in making sure the future of coffee is in good hands. Happy International Coffee Day!