The International Coffee Day

Every year, on October 1st, coffee lovers from all over the world celebrate the International Coffee Day.

But what makes coffee so special to deserve an entire dedicated day?

The answer to this question isn’t only related to the unique flavour or the incredible energy that coffee gives most of us in the morning. Coffee is a synonym for culture, tradition, innovation, and it represents, for most Countries, a great economic force.

The roots of the International Coffee Day

The International Coffee Day was officially launched in 2015 by the International Coffee Organization (ICO) whose aim is to celebrate the long coffee journey, from the plantations to the cups, all over the world. Anyways, the idea to globally celebrate coffee already existed in some Countries as Japan and the US, that already experimented National coffee days.

The true main goal of this celebrative day is to raise awareness on the difficulties encountered by coffee farmers. The coffee market is frequently exposed to challenges due to climate changes, the instability of prices, and economic difficulties in the Countries where coffee is grown.

The coffee journey: from the fields to the cup

Coffee proliferates in tropical areas and its manufacturers are mostly based in Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia and Ethiopia. Each production phase requires attention and precision, from the cultivation of the beans to their harvest, roasting and preparation.

Cultivation and harvest

The coffee plant grows in areas with peculiar climate conditions that are often defined as “the coffee line”, a region between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. The coffee beans are seeds found in berries called coffee cherries. These cherries are usually harvested by hand as they require a meticulous selection.

Roasting

After the harvest and the initial manufacturing process, the beans go through a roasting phase which is a fundamental step that gives the coffee its unique scent and taste. Each Country and each roastery have their own approach: some prefer a light roasting to exalt the fruity and acid notes, while others choose a darker roasting that brings up a sharper and richer taste.

Grinding and extraction

The most awaited moment is indeed the extraction which is the preparation process of the final beverage. The beans are ground according to their process and origin – different compositions, processes, roasting require different treatments – and to the result one would like to get. There are infinite options: from the espresso to the moka, from filter to French Press, each one has its peculiar characteristics that can exalt the different aspects of the beans.

The importance of a having a fair trade

One of the main goals of the International Coffee Day is to promote sustainable practices within the sector. The coffee farmers, especially in the developing Countries, are experiencing some hard-working conditions, as well as underpayment. The fair trade was born to face and beat these challenges, trying to grant the farmers an adequate price for their work.

Buying fair trade certified coffee means supporting equal work and agricultural conditions and, mostly, helping the local communities to prosper. This philosophy has become a fundamental piece for many roasters and coffee shops from all over the world. There are campaigns and various tangible efforts to sensitize consumers to select products that are respectful of both human rights and environment.

The role of coffee in the global culture

Us at Gaggia are aware that coffee is a social and cultural ritual, deeply spread in several societies. Each country has its own way to savour coffee and most of the times the habits linked to it tell you a lot about the history and the local traditions.

The modern trends within the coffee world

In the past years, the coffee world has gone through significant transformations as a consequence of the increasing interest of consumers for quality, sustainability and innovation. Let’s take a look at some of the most significant trends that are revolutionizing the coffee industry.

Specialty Coffee

The concept of specialty coffee has immediately taken over, focusing on the quality of the coffee beans, its traceability and sustainable agricultural practices. The specialty coffee sellers offer unique experiences with high quality certified barmen that are able to exalt the unique features of every coffee bean. We took the time to dig into the topic in a separate article.

Latte art & coffee design

Besides the taste, what really matters today is also the aesthetics of coffee. Latte Art is a technique that uses foamed milk to make drawings on the coffee surface. This trend added a new level of aesthetic and visual appreciation to the coffee experience.

Sustainable innovations

The coffee industry is moving towards more sustainable solutions in order to reduce the environmental impact. From the compostable packaging to the use of renewable energy when roasting, it is now a fact that the attention towards the environment has become a priority for most manufacturers and consumers.

The prospects

The International Coffee Day isn’t only an occasion to enjoy a good cup of coffee, but also an opportunity to meditate on what this beverage actually represents. From its ancient history to modern challenges, from being an everyday ritual to the battles for better working conditions, coffee is a force that is able to connect people, cultures and economies.

From Gaggia, have a great International Coffee Day!