When is International Coffee Day 2023, and what are the best ways to celebrate and find deals? It might surprise you to learn that this celebration of world coffee day is a fairly recent invention, dating back only to 2014. And it is a distinct holiday not to be confused with the various national coffee days celebrated within specific countries.
First and foremost, if it is October 1st when you are reading this, then Happy International Coffee Day! Today is the day to celebrate the coffee bean, coffee culture, and the more than 50 developing countries that grow our coffee.
And this article will prepare you with fun ideas to celebrate and embrace coffee culture along with where you can find free coffee and other special deals!
**Best of Brewing is supported by our readers, and we sometimes earn a commission through the affiliate links on our website.**
History of International Coffee Day
International Coffee Day has a surprisingly short history, considering how long coffee has been an international commodity. In 2014, the International Coffee Organization, or ICO, set aside one day a year as the official international coffee day. This global coffee holiday has the mission of celebrating how diverse the world of coffee is. Between the dedicated farmers who depend on the coffee plants, the skilled roasters that make the beans delicious, and us passionate coffee lovers, we can all appreciate how this one beverage brings the world together.
When is International Coffee Day 2023?
International Coffee Day 2023 falls on Sunday, October 1st. So even if you associate coffee more with the hit of caffeine that gets you through the workday, you have the entire weekend to celebrate this year!
Happy National Coffee Day Worldwide
While International Coffee Day officially began in 2014, countries worldwide have been celebrating their own national day for coffee since the 1980s. For example, the Japan Coffee Association codified the first official holiday for coffee in 1983 by declaring October 1st their national coffee day. The logic was that coffee consumption peaks in fall and winter.
September 29th
Almost 40 countries worldwide designate a national day for coffee. Most of these national coffee days fall on September 29th, including:
- United States
- Canada
- Australia
- Ethiopia
- South Africa
- India
- Taiwan
- Philippines
- Most Nordic countries
October 1st
Many other countries sync up their holiday with the international day of coffee on October 1st, including:
- Honduras
- Mexico
- Japan
- UK
- Germany
- New Zealand
- Singapore
Other National Coffee Celebrations
Some other countries celebrate coffee on other random dates throughout the year. Switzerland celebrates on September 28th, and Costa Rica on the second Friday of September. Mongolia tributes coffee on January 3rd, and Brazil celebrates on May 24th.
Lastly, Columbia has their national coffee day on June 27th.
How To Celebrate World Coffee Day
Do you want to know how to celebrate International Coffee Day? Besides setting aside a mindful moment to appreciate the magic that is coffee, check out some of the ways below you can make this coffee holiday extra special.
And if you are here to find out who offers deals like free coffee, we will also give you the most up-to-date information we have on that for this year’s holiday.
If you live in America, you will find the majority of promotions and deals on your National Coffee Day, which is on September 29th each year (check out that article for the best deals.)
Try a New Brewing Method
Even a passionate coffee lover can get stuck in a monotonous routine of drinking coffee the same way every day. So why not use this coffee holiday as an excuse to try a new brewing method or recipe? There are endless ideas, including:
- Homemade Iced Coffee Recipe
- AeroPress Espresso Recipe
- Homemade Americano (even without an espresso machine)
- Turkish Coffee
- Latte Recipe
- Homemade Iced Latte
- Chemex Coffee
Do you usually drink coffee with milk or sugar? Perhaps you can order a unique single-origin coffee bean and drink black coffee to see if you like it. Or maybe you usually use instant coffee, and this year’s coffee holiday is your chance to upgrade how you brew.
Whatever type of coffee drinker you are, the point is that you can always spice up your routine by learning a new skill. Coffee might be primarily about caffeine for many people, but there are many ways to make it more than that!
Ethically Sourced Coffee
It is easy to forget how much the coffee industry depends on coffee plantations and coffee growers worldwide. A coffee cherry and the quality of the bean inside of it depend on the skills of human workers, and millions of people worldwide depend on the coffee trading network for survival. It is especially worth noting that small-scale coffee farmers supply the world with 70% of its coffee.
So besides appreciating how dependent we are on coffee farms, we should also be aware of fair trade coffee practices by getting ethically sourced coffee. Everyone makes a more sustainable coffee industry by treating workers and the environment more ethically.
Coffee Food and Drink
You can also pay tribute to the miracle of coffee by consuming a coffee-flavored food or drink. Coffee cake and coffee ice cream are popular options, but you can also get creative and try a recipe at home.
Or if you want to celebrate in the evening, you might try a cocktail like an espresso martini!
Go to a Local Coffee Shop
If you are the type of coffee drinker that usually brews at home, world coffee day might be your excuse to check out your local coffee house. The coffee house has a rich history, with the first opening in Constantinople in 1475. By 1675, England had over 3000 coffee houses that served as a hub for socializing and intellectual conversation.
But the rich history aside, many cafes offer a free cup of hot or iced coffee to celebrate International Coffee Day. Rewards members might be eligible for even better deals!
Buy Someone a Coffee Gift
Paying the magical coffee energy forward is probably more rewarding than doing something for yourself. And there are tons of coffee gifts that you can buy a coffee lover that you know.
Funny Coffee Mug Gift
A funny coffee mug can be the perfect way to celebrate national or international coffee day. Whether you buy it for a friend or coworker, they’ll probably think of you every time they drink their morning brew!
Another fantastic gift is a coffee subscription, especially if there’s a birthday around this holiday. We also love giving something unique like a Turkish Coffee Pot to give someone a new brewing method.
International Coffee Day Events
There are 77 member states in the International Coffee Organization, and you should be on the lookout for local events and promotions in your country. While national coffee holidays center more on discounts and deals, the international version of this holiday is more about appreciating the interconnectedness of coffee.
It is the day to appreciate the long chain from farmer to cup that makes your coffee routine possible, and a reminder to appreciate the diversity and passion in the coffee world.
Discounts and Deals
There are too many variations of discounts and deals for world coffee day, and many countries celebrate a distinct national day of coffee, where you can find the best deals. Be aware that many places like Starbucks require you to bring a clean reusable cup to get a free coffee. And the free coffee usually applies to brewed coffee and excludes cold brew and other fancy drinks.
You can also look out for discounts between September 29th and October 1st, some of which last for all three days:
- Au Bon Pain
- Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
- Panera Bread
- Krispy Kreme
- McDonald’s
For some of those discounts, you might have to join a loyalty program first. And if you live in the US, check out our separate article on Starbucks National Coffee Day deals and other discounts.
National Coffee Day vs International Coffee Day
As stated above, International Coffee Day only dates back to 2014, and we celebrate that holiday on October 1st each year. But other countries designate a national coffee day on different dates throughout the year.
While you can find some deals on October 1st, the best deals will likely be on your specific national holiday. One benefit of world coffee day is that it is also Pumpkin Spice Day!
International Coffee Day Quotes
One easy way to celebrate coffee is to reflect on some of the fantastic quotes about coffee. Ranging from hilarious to inspirational, these quotes will pair perfectly with your morning coffee:
“I was taken by the power that savoring a simple cup of coffee can have to connect people and create community.”
Howard Schultz
“Without my morning coffee, I’m just like a dried-up piece of goat.”
Johann Sebastian Bach
“I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.”
T.S.Eliot
“It’s amazing how the world begins to change through the eyes of a cup of coffee.”
Donna A. Favors
**For more of the best coffee quotes, check out: 61 Best Coffee Quotes: Inspirational, Philosophical, Funny, And More!
World Coffee Day: Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are a ton of ways to tribute coffee on International Coffee Day 2023 and make it more than a simple caffeine fix that gets us through the day. Whether you take a mindful moment to appreciate the international supply chain, support your local coffee shop, or reflect on coffee’s role in our culture, the point is appreciation.
So Happy International Coffee Day, and we hope you do something special!
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