Coffee is the most popular hot beverage in Europe. Reason enough to dedicate a day of honor to coffee: Coffee Day. On October 1st, the world celebrates International Coffee Day every year and celebrates the hot and favorite drink of the Germans. But how did Coffee Day come about in the first place?

This occasion is reason enough to uncover the background and international preferences surrounding coffee enjoyment.

The day of coffee: history and actions

The “Day of Coffee” was initiated in 2006 by the Coffee Association as an international day. Since then, the day of honor has been celebrated every year in autumn. On October 1, 2016, Coffee Day will be celebrated together with International Coffee Day for the first time.

Since then, International Coffee Day has had a fixed calendar date. Every year, coffee lovers, roasters and manufacturers plan exciting events and promotions all about the hot drink. New coffee variations are presented, tastings take place, guided tours of roasting plants are offered and exciting information about coffee is conveyed.

Did you know, that …? Four interesting facts about the day of coffee

Did you know that coffee is drunk more often in Germany than beer and water? On average, every German drinks over 160 liters of coffee a year, which corresponds to 2 – 4 cups a day.
Did you know that Brazil is the world’s largest coffee producer and world champion exporter?
Did you know that coffee grounds are ideal for use as a fertilizer for plants?
Did you know that the German Coffee Association developed an unusual coffee cocktail, the “Lighthouse Coffee”, especially for this special day?

Truths about coffee consumption and other coffee cultures

There are many differences in terms of preparation, coffee culture and coffee consumption, both on an international and national level. On the occasion of International Coffee Day, we reveal:

As far as the consumption of green coffee is concerned, Germany ranks 7th in the world with 6.4 kg. Austria ranks fifth with 6.5 kg per capita. A lot of coffee is drunk in Germany, France and Italy. Every country has its preferences when it comes to preparing coffee with different devices and machines, such as hand filters, espresso makers or fully automatic coffee machines. Some countries prefer the filter coffee machine, others swear by the traditional preparation with the stovetop pot.

There have never been so many ways to prepare coffee in history, be it with the coffee capsule machine, the fully automatic coffee machine, the office coffee machine, the espresso maker or the original boiling in the mocha pot. Each country celebrates its own coffee culture. In Scandinavia, coffee is brewed with the water pot. The French like to drink café au lait, while the Italians prefer espresso or cappuccino. And Turkish coffee culture is on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Regardless of how, where and when you prefer to drink coffee: Celebrate International Coffee Day on October 1st with other coffee lovers. So raise the coffee cups!