September 29th: International Coffee Day

Love coffee? Happy Coffee Day!

In a collection of countries around the world, International Coffee Day is celebrated on September 29th. In a nutshell, the day is set aside purely to appreciate one of the world's most popular beverages; but it is also an opportunity to give some thought to the struggle of the coffee-growers in poverty-stricken countries, and to promote Fair Trade coffee. 
   It seems that the exact date of origin to Coffee Day is unknown, however, Japan organised and promoted International Coffee Day as part of The All Japan Coffee Association back in 1983. However the majority of countries seem to hold their 'Coffee Day' on September 29th, including the USA, England, Canada, Sweden, Malaysia, Ethiopia and Finland. Make note for next year, as apparently some coffee shops discount their prices on this day dedicated to drinking coffee!
    Did you know...

• that originally coffee was eaten? African tribes mixed coffee berries with fat and consumed it this way.
• that coffee's popularity is partly thanks to the rise of the Islamic religion, due to it being an accepted substitute drink for alcohol.
• that coffee grows on trees? And the trees can grow up to 30 feet tall?
• that coffee is the second most traded product in the world? Oil is the first!