International Coffee Day is celebrated on October 1, the official global date for raising a cup to coffee and the millions of farmers who grow it. The next International Coffee Day is Friday, October 1, 2027. In the US, the more famous date is National Coffee Day on September 29, just two days earlier, so coffee fans often get a long weekend of deals and celebrations.
National Coffee Day vs. International Coffee Day
- National Coffee Day (US): September 29. This is the date most American coffee chains and cafés use for free cups, discounts and rewards offers.
- International Coffee Day: October 1. The global observance led by the International Coffee Organization (ICO), with a stronger focus on the people and countries that produce coffee.
- Other countries: dozens of countries hold their own coffee days on different dates, but October 1 is the most widely shared one.
If you are hunting for freebies in the US, watch September 29 first. If you want to learn about where your coffee comes from, October 1 is your day.
How October 1 became the date
Japan was an early adopter: the All Japan Coffee Association has promoted October 1 as a coffee day since 1983. The International Coffee Organization, an intergovernmental body founded in London in 1963, officially launched International Coffee Day on October 1, 2015, in Milan, as part of Expo 2015. Since then, the ICO has used the day to highlight topics such as fair pay for growers, sustainability and the challenges facing smallholder farmers.
From bean to cup
Coffee grows in the so-called bean belt, the tropical region between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. The two main species are Arabica, prized for its aroma and acidity, and Robusta, which is hardier and contains more caffeine. Brazil is by far the world’s largest producer, with Vietnam, Colombia and Ethiopia among the other major growers. Ethiopia is also widely considered the birthplace of coffee; a popular legend credits a goat herder named Kaldi with noticing how lively his goats became after eating coffee cherries.
Ideas for your coffee day
- Taste side by side: brew the same bean as pour-over, French press and espresso, and note how the flavor changes.
- Buy from a local roaster: ask about origin, roast date and how they source their beans.
- Dial in your ratio: a common starting point for drip or pour-over is about 1 gram of coffee to 15–17 grams of water.
- Treat the team: bring a box of coffee to the office or buy a drink for the person behind you.
- Read the label: certifications such as Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance are one way to support better conditions for farmers.
Planning a café event?
If you run a coffee shop, embed this countdown on your website or share the link on social media to build excitement for your October 1 promotion. You can also create your own countdown for National Coffee Day on September 29. Tea drinkers have their own date too: International Tea Day on May 21.