International Coffee Day: History, Importance, Facts; All You Need To Know

Facing a tough day at work? Slurp!!! Have a coffee. Awake late at night but feeling sleepy because you have an important deadline to meet? Go! Grab a coffee. Want to catch up with old friends? Hop into a cafe!!!

You see, from jamming sessions to open poetry to small chit-chats, everything could be done over a cup of coffee. And for coffee enthusiasts and addicts, it’s not just a beverage, it’s an emotion. So, in order to commemorate the astounding importance of this commodity, every year we celebrate International Coffee Day on October 1.

International Coffee Day: History And Significance

Founded in 2015 by International Coffee Organisation (ICO), every year International Coffee Day is celebrated on October 1 to promote the cultural, economic as well as historical significance of coffee. Apart from dedicating this day to the coffee lovers, it also draws attention towards the challenges faced by the coffee plantation growers while drawing attention to climate change and economic stability. Currently, the coffee market is set to grow by 3.01% between 2024-2029 with an estimated market value of US $108.40 bn in 2029.

Interesting Facts About Coffee

1. It’s not a bean

Curious, well coffee is actually a fruit where the ‘beans’ grow on a bush which are found in the centre of a berry known as coffee cherry

2. Brazil is the biggest producer of coffee

As per CoffeeResearch.org, Brazil produces about 25% of the world’s coffee, followed by Vietnam and Colombia

3. The Ethiopian Origin

A goat herder in Ethiopia named Khaldi is believed to have discovered coffee in the 9th century. As per Khaldi, his goats became energetic after eating coffee berries.

4. Varieties of Coffee

There are about 100 types of varieties in coffee. The most common among them include Arabica and Robusta.

5. Finland is the biggest consumer

Finland is the biggest consumer of coffee in the world. On an average, the country consumes 12 kg per person, totalling to 1,680 cups on average each year

How to celebrate International Coffee Day?

1. Visit a coffee farm

If you have time, go to a coffee farm to gain a first-hand experience on how coffee is grown and processed

2. Go to a local coffee shop

Catch up with your fellow coffee enthusiasts and visit a local coffee shop to enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee. This will help in boosting the business of small-scale local coffee outlets in your locality.

3. Celebrate sustainable brewed coffee

While having coffee, choose only those brands who source their coffee bean ethically, which will thereby promote sustainability

4. Coffee tasting sessions

Coffee enthusiasts can organise coffee tasting sessions by trying out various brewing methods. You can also explore different origins, flavours and roasts to expand your coffee palate

Health Benefits of Coffee

1. Fights fatigue

Coffee contains an antioxidant called caffeine that is known for fighting fatigue and boosting energy levels. Caffeine blocks adenosine (a chemical found in the human cells, which is responsible for overall metabolism of the body) and increases the concentration of neurons, which regulates energy levels and dopamine in the body. As per a study published in Pubmed, consumption of caffeine reduced the exhaustion during a cycling exercise by 12%, thereby reducing fatigue among participants.

2. Lowers risk of type 2 diabetes

Few research papers suggested consumption of coffee may help in decreasing the development of type 2 diabetes over a long term. In fact, a review of over 30 studies found that each cup of coffee consumed by people on a daily basis reduced development of type 2 diabetes by about 6%.

3. Facilitates weight management

Few research papers have suggested coffee's hidden ability in managing weight, thereby supporting gut health. In fact, a review of 12 studies proved that higher coffee consumption could be a result of decreased body fat among men. A study even pointed out that people who consumed between one to two cups of coffee per day were 17% more likely to meet the physical activity levels as compared to those who only consumed one cup of coffee

4. Lowers risk of depression

Studies claim that coffee helps in reducing the risk of depression among people. A review of 7 studies concluded that for each cup of coffee consumed by people on a daily basis, made the occurrence of depression wane by 8%

Coffee Industry in India: An overview

History

There is an interesting story behind the journey of coffee in india. In the 17th century, an Indian pilgrim named Baba Budan is said to have smuggled coffee beans from Yemen. He planted the seeds in the Chandragiri hills of Karnataka, which set the tone for coffee cultivation in the country. By the 19th century, coffee became an established commercial crop following which it was exported in Europe.

Current Status

In 2020, India contributed about 3% of the global output in coffee production. Among the top producing nations, India currently ranks sixth, giving employment to about 2 million people in the country. Notably, India produces two types of coffee namely Arabica and Robusta. Arabica is more expensive than Robusta as it has a mild aromatic flavour while Robuta is mostly used in various blends due to its strong flavour. Coffee is mainly grown in the western ghats of southern India, in which Karnata produces about 70% of the coffee, followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Top Consumers of Indian Coffee

India exports coffee to nearly 50 countries, which includes major markets like Italy, Germany, Belgium and Russian Federation. Other nations include Libya, Poland, Jordan, Malaysia, US and Australia

Top Indian coffee stocks

Tata Consumer Products Ltd, Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Ltd, CCL Products (India) Ltd, Goodricke Group Ltd, Rossell India Ltd, Jay Shree Tea and Industries Ltd are among the few who have upbeat fundamental metrics

What’s brewing bitter in the coffee industry?

1. Labour shortage

Coffee industry is labour intensive as many stages in its production require frequent human attention. However, due to increasing labour shortage, the cost of production is increasing on a regular basis. For instance, in Brazil labour costs add up to 25% of the total production cost, while Indian plantation workers make up almost 65%of the overall cost.

2. Climate change

Climate change has not only dampened the prospects of coffee cultivators, but the agriculture community in general. Between 2018 and 2022, India witnessed unseasonal rains and floods, which heavily impacted the coffee cultivation in the country. In 2014, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicted that without adaptation crop yield will likely decline by 2050 to about 5%.

3. Prone to pests and diseases

Coffee farmers are plagued by the problem of pests and diseases that severely affect the crop’s health and productivity. Berry borers, mealy bugs and shot hole borers are few of the pests that destroy the crop. Therefore cultivators should adopt effective pest management strategies and disease prevention measures in eradicating this problem.