International Coffee Day (1 October) is an occasion that is used to promote and celebrate coffee as a beverage, with events now occurring in places across the world. The first official date was 1 October 2015, as agreed by then International Coffee Organization and was launched in Milan. This day is also used to promote fair trade coffee and to raise awareness for the plight of the coffee growers.
International Coffee Day is an opportunity for coffee lovers to share their adoration for the beverage and support millions of farmers around the world whose livelihood depends on the crop.
Coffee has been around for ages and there are numerous stories around coffee. The English call it ‘coffee’, the Dutch call it ‘koffie’ and the Turkish ‘kahveh’. Coffee growing has a long history that is attributed first to Ethiopia and then to Arabia (Yemen). The earliest history is traced to 875 AD according to the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris, and the original source to Ethiopia (Abyssinia) from where it was brought to Arabia in the 15th century.
In the Indian context, coffee growing started with an Indian Muslim saint, Baba Budan, who, while returning from a pilgrimage to Mecca, smuggled seven coffee beans (by hiding them in his beard) from Yemen to Mysore in India. He planted them on the Chandra Drona Giri (1,829 metres (6,001 ft))(‘Giri’ means “hill”) in Chikkamagaluru district.
It was considered an illegal act to take out green coffee seed out of Arabia. As number seven is a sacrosanct number in Islamic religion, the saint’s act of carrying seven coffee beans was considered a religious act. This was the beginning of coffee industry in India, and in particular, in the then state of Mysore, now part of the Karnataka State.
In India, two well-known varieties of coffee are grown – the Arabica and Robusta. The first variety was introduced in the Karnataka hills around 1670.
Indian coffee is the most extraordinary of beverages, offering intriguing subtlety and stimulating intensity. India is the only country that grows all of its coffee under shade. Typically mild and not too acidic, these coffees possess an exotic full-bodied taste and a fine aroma.
Coffee has several health benefits when consumed in a limited amount. However, excess of coffee may lead to various side effects.
According to a report published in Harvard Health, a November 2015 study published in the scientific journal Circulation found that coffee consumption was associated with an 8 to 15 percent reduction in the risk of death. Coffee drinkers also may have reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, a few types of cancers and cirrhosis.
Furthermore, studies have also pointed out that caffeine can boost a person’s metabolic rate. It can also help people feel less tired and increase energy levels because it contains the stimulant caffeine, which is the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world.
There are various health benefits associated with coffee. So, sip one right away.
Happy International Coffee Day.