Attention all coffee lovers! International Coffee Day is around the corner and in this blog, we’re breaking down all things coffee!

The date of the first brewed coffee dates back to the 9th century in Yemen. It is said that a goat herder noticed his goats became more energetic after eating the berries from a certain tree. He tried some of the berries himself and found that they had a similar effect on him as well. The first written mention of coffee comes from an Arabian manuscript dated between 1594 and 1596, which states "drinking coffee leads to indigestion."

International Coffee Day is celebrated on September 29th every year however, some celebrate it on October 1st. It is a day for coffee lovers to enjoy the beverage that they love. The origin of International Coffee Day is not entirely clear. Some attribute the start of the celebratory day to Starbucks, believing they created it as a marketing ploy to gain more customers. Others believe International Coffee Day was established in 2013 by the National Coffee Association of America. Either way, the original intent of the Day still stands: a day of celebration for coffee enthusiasts everywhere!

It is believed that the date of September 29^th (or October 1st, depending on who you ask) was chosen because it was the anniversary of when New Yorkers drank their first cup of coffee after prohibition ended in 1933. Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world.

It is consumed by over 500 million people on a daily basis and as such, there are many different types and flavors that are loved worldwide. Some of these types include regular, dark roast, light roast, flavored, iced, and decaffeinated. The best flavors of coffee however, are usually just determined by personal preference.

So, which one is your favorite? Let’s start by breaking down the types of coffee flavors:

Regular

Regularly roasted coffee is coffee that is roasted for a shorter period of time than others. It’s typically medium-bodied and less acidic. This type of roast can be good for those who are sensitive to caffeine or easily get an upset stomach. The beans here are roasted to a medium-dark brown color and the roast has a characteristic flavor, which is often described as "bright."

Dark Roast

 

Dark roast coffee is a type of coffee that is roasted for longer than normal and has a darker color. The dark roast process can be done in different ways, but the most popular way to make it is by roasting the beans at between 400-450 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes.

This process gives the coffee a stronger and more bitter taste. Darker roasts are typically used in espresso drinks because they have more caffeine and less acidity, which makes them taste smoother. A dark roast has a full-bodied flavor with hints of chocolate, caramel, and toast.

Light Roast

 

Light roast coffee is roasted for a shorter time than other roasts and has a light, delicate flavor with hints of fruit and nuts. Some people prefer this type of coffee because it doesn't have as much caffeine as medium or dark roasts. Light roasts are the most popular coffee brew on the market. They have a smooth, mellow flavor that is not as harsh as dark roasts.

Light roast coffees are made from green beans that have been roasted just enough to bring out their natural sweetness and aroma. This type of roast is widely popular in the United States, especially with medium-dark roasts that add an interesting depth of flavor and a more nutty, slightly smoky consistency.

Flavored

 

The flavor of coffee is determined by two main factors, the type of bean and how it is roasted. Flavored coffees are a type of coffee made with the addition of flavors to the brewed coffee. The flavor additives can be natural or artificial and they can be added in liquid or solid form.

There are many different types of flavors that are added to make flavored coffees such as chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, hazelnut, caramel, and mint. The most popular type of flavoring is vanilla which accounts for over half of the market share. This is followed by hazelnut and cinnamon flavors which account for around one-fifth each.

Iced

 

Iced coffee is a drink that is made with cold brewed coffee. It is served over ice and typically contains milk and sweetener. The drink became popular in the United States in the 1950s to compete with Coca-Cola, which had become popular. The popularity of iced coffee has increased in recent years due to the convenience of being able to buy it at a drive-through or local store.

People who enjoy this beverage usually prefer it over other types of coffee because they find it refreshing and easy to drink during warmer weather. Iced coffee is often flavored with syrups or creamers, and sugar may be added as well. Other flavorings include vanilla, chocolate, caramel, hazelnut, peppermint, cinnamon dolce and gingerbread spice flavors.

Decaffeinated

 

Decaffeinated coffee is the drink of choice for those who love the taste of coffee but are sensitive to caffeine. This is especially a good choice for pregnant women and those who just want to avoid caffeine altogether. Decaffeinated coffee is exactly what the name sounds like - coffee that has had the caffeine removed. It is made by soaking beans in water and using a solvent to extract the caffeine.

Once the decaffeinating process is complete, the brewed coffee is said to contain less than 0.1% of the caffeine found in regular coffee. The most common decaffeinated coffee beans are Arabica and Robusta beans. Decaffeinated coffee is a great alternative to caffeinated coffee because it still has all the flavor and benefits of regular coffee without any of the added side effects of caffeine.

 

Now that you know some of the popular coffee roasts – which one is your go-to? Comment down below!

If you are someone that would rather go out and purchase your coffee drink instead of brewing it at home, below you will find the best places to buy coffee before you hit your morning commute. Keep in mind, this list is not exhaustive and the shops listed can mainly be found throughout the US and Canada.

Starbucks

Starbucks is a multinational coffee company and coffeehouse chain originally based in Seattle, Washington. Starbucks was founded in 1971 by three partners who met while they were working at a local coffee bean roaster. Today, there are more than 28,000 locations in over 75 countries.

The company operates under the name Starbucks Coffee Company and it trades on the NASDAQ with the symbol SBUX.

Starbucks is widely popular and recognized as a high-priced "luxury" coffee for average individuals. 

One of their most popular drinks is their Vanilla Latte, and when fall rolls around, the Pumpkin Spice Latte takes center stage. 

McDonald's

McDonald’s is an international fast food restaurant chain that runs on the franchise model. The company is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving approximately 69 million customers daily in more than 100 countries.

The company was founded in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by Richard and Maurice McDonald. In 1948, they reorganized their business as a hamburger stand using production line principles. Businessman Ray Kroc joined the company as a franchise agent in 1955 and subsequently purchased the chain from the McDonald brothers.

McDonald's has been able to remain so incredibly popular because they have solidified themselves as a family favorite restaurant. Children everywhere recognize those golden arches and their french fries are a staple in every order. However, their coffee has gained popularity over the years because it is considered tasty and inexpensive. 

Their basic coffee brew is popular with individuals customizing how they want their coffee made (i.e. two milks, one sugar). 

Dunkin’ Donuts

Dunkin’ Donuts has been a staple of the American coffee chain for decades. The company was founded in 1950 by William Rosenberg and has since grown to become one of the most popular coffee chains in America.

There are now more than 12,000 Dunkin’ Donuts stores in 32 countries. The company is also ranked as the 8th largest restaurant chain in America by Forbes. The company's slogan is "America runs on Dunkin'. Dunkin’s menu includes donuts, bagels, muffins, croissants, doughnuts, cookies and brownies.

One of their most popular drinks is the Dunkin' Hazelnut Swirl. 

Tim Hortons

Tim Hortons is one of the most popular Canadian fast-food restaurant chains known for its coffee and donuts. It was founded in Hamilton, Ontario in 1964 by hockey player Tim Horton and Jim Charade, after an initial venture in hamburger restaurants.

The company has grown steadily since it was founded, and as of 2018, it had 4,630 locations worldwide. It operates the majority of these locations under the Tim Hortons brand. Outside of Canada, the company has opened outlets in other countries including the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Japan.

Tim Hortons sells coffee and donuts and other baked goods, as well as sandwiches, wraps, soups, muffins, bagels and pastries. 

The most popular coffee drink from Tim Hortons is a classic Double Double which consists of a black coffee blend made with two creams and two sugars.  

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is a coffeehouse chain that was founded by Herbert Alpert and Jerry Baldwin in 1963. The company was originally called "Piedmont Coffee Roasters" but changed its name to "The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf" after it became popular.

Since its founding, the company has expanded to over 500 locations across the world. The stores are mainly located in California, but they also have stores in other parts of the United States, Japan, China, Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, South Korea and many other countries.

One of their most popular coffee drinks is their Classic Flat White. 

Biggby Coffee

Biggby Coffee is a coffee shop chain with over 500 locations in the United States. Founded in 1995, Biggby Coffee was created to be a place where people could enjoy freshly brewed coffee and espresso drinks.

The company's mission is "to be the best coffee company by providing customers with the freshest, most flavorful coffee and espresso beverages, while delivering an exceptional customer experience."

The company offers a variety of coffee drinks, including espresso, brewed coffee, lattes, mochas and Americanos. Biggby also sells tea, hot chocolate and iced beverages such as iced lattes or iced mochas. They offer flavored syrups for customers who want to add them to their drinks.

One of their most popular drinks is their Butter Bear Latte. 

Dutch Bros

Dutch Bros is a coffee company that was founded by Dutch brothers Dane and Travis Boersma in 1992. The company has grown to have over 300 locations in five states and has been named one of the fastest-growing privately owned companies in America.

The Dutch Bros founders didn’t set out to create the next big coffee chain, they just wanted to sell good coffee to their community. They started with a single location on the side of Highway 99 in Grants Pass, Oregon and grew their business from there. The brothers found success by staying true to their roots: making quality coffee with an emphasis on customer service.

The company is known for its iced coffee drinks that are made with a special blend of Dutch-roasted coffee beans and combined with milk or cream and flavored syrups. They are also one of the first companies to implement artificial intelligence-generated content.

The most popular drink at this restaurant is the Golden Eagle. 

Second Cup

Second Cup is a Canadian coffee chain that specializes in the sale of espresso-based drinks, such as lattes, cappuccinos and Americanos. The company was founded in 1987 by Michael Bregman, who named the company after his mother's maiden name.

In 2017, Second Cup announced its plans to close all of its locations across Canada and the United States. In 2018, it was announced that the company would be purchased by American coffee conglomerate JAB Holding Company for $300 million.

There isn't a specific drink at Second Cup that is most popular as individuals typically customize their standard black coffee drink. 

Have you tried coffee from any of these restaurant chains? 

Whether you like it hot, cold, flavored, or decaffeinated, coffee lovers can agree that nothing compares to a cup of their favorite drink!

Happy International Coffee Day to all who love a good cup of coffee. Enjoy! 

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