Raise your mugs high for National Gourmet Coffee Day! Every year on the 18th of January, coffee enthusiasts unite to honor the exquisite complexity of gourmet coffee. This is the perfect occasion to acknowledge the dedication and skill that goes into creating the glossy sheen of a beautifully brewed cup, the variety of blends, and the unique brewing techniques that raise coffee to a gourmet level.
Whether you’re a dedicated barista or someone who simply loves a good cup of cofee to kickstart the day, Gourmet Coffee Day is here to take your coffee-consuming experience up a notch.
History of National Gourmet Coffee Day
Gourmet coffee has a rich history that dates back centuries and ties into the overall history of coffee itself. Coffee was discovered in Ethiopia in the 9th century, and by the 15th century, it was being grown and traded on the Arabian Peninsula. The 17th century saw coffee houses popping up in England, France, Germany, and Holland. These coffee houses rapidly became centers of social activity and communication.
The term “gourmet” coffee started to be used in the 19th century as variations and improvement in coffee preparation methods became popular. These methods brought out the unique flavors and aromas in the beans, letting coffee drinkers differentiate between different types of coffee for the first time. Coffee at this time began to be seen as a luxury good.
In the 20th century, the gourmet coffee industry grew exponentially. The second wave of coffee, occurring in the 1960s and 1970s, brought coffee brands like Starbucks, Peet’s Coffee, and Costa Coffee which promoted darkly roasted, high-quality beans. These chains brought a focus on the origin of the coffee and specific brewing methods.
The third wave of coffee, which took place in the 1990s and continues today, made coffee into an artisanal experience, similar to wine. Single-origin and direct trade coffees became popular, along with hand brewing and latte art.
Today, the gourmet coffee industry has positioned itself as offering a superior product in terms of quality, flavor, and sustainability as compared to regular coffee. This popular trend towards higher quality, ethically sourced beans, along with improvements in roasting and brewing technology, have elevated coffee from its humble origins to the gourmet drink we know today.
National Gourmet Coffee Day Timeline
Discovery of Coffee
A goat herder in Ethiopia discovered the effects of caffeine when he noticed his goats dancing and frolicking after eating the berries from a coffee plant.
Coffee Plants Cultivated
The cultivation of coffee plants began on the Arabian Peninsula.
First Coffee House
The world's first coffee house was opened in Constantinople, now known as Istanbul.
Coffee Enters Europe
Coffee was introduced to the western world and rapidly gained popularity.
Coffee in the Americas
The first coffee tree planted in Brazil, which went on to become the world's largest coffee producer.
Modern Coffee Culture
Coffee consumption spread globally and became a staple drink. Specialty coffee drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos were popularized.
Gourmet Coffee
Focus on coffee quality, sustainable sourcing, and artisanal brewing techniques gave rise to gourmet coffee.
Ideas to Celebrate National Gourmet Coffee Day
Host a Gourmet Coffee Tasting
Bring friends or colleagues together for an evening of gourmet coffee exploration. Encourage everyone to bring their favorite gourmet coffee blend, sample each one, and determine the group's top pick.
Try a New Gourmet Coffee Shop
Look up a highly recommended coffee place in your vicinity that you haven't yet patronized. Relish in the new ambiance and delight in their premium coffee offerings.
Participate in a Barista Class
Many coffee houses provide classes on how to prepare gourmet coffee at home. It's a fantastic opportunity to obtain more knowledge about your preferred beverage and enhance your ability to make it.
Experiment with Different Coffee Recipes
Look up a variety of gourmet coffee recipes and have a go at creating them yourself at home. Discovering and perfecting a new preferred coffee recipe could be an exciting and enjoyable method to mark National Gourmet Coffee Day.
Invest in Coffee Making Equipment
Gaining the skill to brew your personal gourmet coffee can bring much satisfaction. Consider buying a quality coffee making machine, grinder, or any other coffee-brewing accessories to enrich your coffee brewing experience.
7 Interesting Facts About Gourmet Coffee
The Most Expensive Coffee
Kopi Luwak, the world's priciest coffee, is produced from the droppings of a small Indonesian mammal known as the civet. This creature consumes coffee cherries but cannot digest the beans. People later gather these beans from the civet's excrement and turn them into coffee.
Unique Growing Conditions
The cultivation of gourmet coffee necessitates particular environmental conditions. It requires a constant temperature of roughly 60°F to 70°F, significant moisture, and plentiful rainfall.
Flavorful Variations
There’s an amazing variety of chemicals present in gourmet coffee – over 800, in fact – all of which contribute to its rich taste and aroma.
The Coffee 'Belt'
The prime growing area for global gourmet coffee production is known as the 'Coffee Belt'. This belt encircles the world, located between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
Processing Methods
Gourmet coffee undergoes two main processing methods: the wet and the dry. The method chosen has a direct impact on revealing varying characteristics in the final coffee drink.
Roasting Techniques
Much of the flavor development occurs during roasting. Whether it’s a light, medium, or dark roast, each has its unique ways of enhancing the flavors locked within the beans.
Cupping
In an effort to guarantee high quality, gourmet coffee is often subjected to tasting, known as 'cupping'. Expert tasters, referred to as Q Graders, evaluate coffees based on criteria such as flavor, aroma, aftertaste, and body.
National Gourmet Coffee Day FAQs
Next National Gourmet Coffee Day Dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | January 18th | Wednesday |
| 2024 | January 18th | Thursday |
| 2025 | January 18th | Saturday |
| 2026 | January 18th | Sunday |
| 2027 | January 18th | Monday |
| What is the pattern? | Every January 18th | |
National Gourmet Coffee Day Word Search
- Gourmet
- Coffee
- Aroma
- Barista
- Beans
- Specialty