It’s National Coffee Day, and let me guess, coffee has definitely been on your mind. But mostly because it’s a Monday. (If it isn’t ALWAYS on your mind.)
Here are some coffee-themed stories and promotions making the rounds online:
1. There was a time when Seattle was the coffee capital of the U.S., but is it STILL? An annual report on the Best Coffee Cities in America ranked 100 cities based on things like: Local coffee popularity, coffee roasters and shops, coffee spending and prices, and coffee culture.
This year, Portland, Oregon came in #1, followed by Orlando, Long Beach, California, Miami, Seattle, Tampa, San Francisco, Austin, Texas, Oakland, California, and Pittsburgh.
Laredo, Texas brings up the rear at #100. Among large cities, Detroit is one of the worst at #97. Memphis is #94. And Cleveland is #88
2. 66% of Americans say they drink at least one cup daily, up nearly 7% from 2020, according to a survey from the National Coffee Association. The average coffee drinker has nearly three cups per day.
“Specialty coffee” is surging in popularity. 48% of adults say they’re into “specialty coffee”, up from 37% in 2021.
3. Coffee prices have been soaring, largely due to tariffs and weather. Last month, the average price of a pound of ground roast coffee cost $8.87, up 40% from a year ago, when it cost $6.31. So let’s look for some deals . . .
4. For National Coffee Day, a lot of places are offering free coffees, mostly through their loyalty apps. They include: Dunkin’, Starbucks, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Circle K, Panera Bread, Peet’s, Sheetz, and Whataburger.
Other places have deals for coffee and / or other goodies, including Krispy Kreme (donuts), Dutch Bros. (car coasters), and Shake Shack (coffee shake).
And there are also places online where you can score coffee deals, including Atlas Coffee Club, Café Aroma, Eight O’Clock Coffee, and Keurig. (You can find more details on this, here, here, and here.)
5. This year, a study showed that coffee can boost your mood, even on Mondays. Regular caffeine drinkers feel “happier and more enthusiastic” after a cup, and that joy lingers for more than two hours.
6. Earlier this year, a study showed that drinking caffeinated coffee DAILY is associated with a lower risk of death, particularly from heart issues. But that’s only if you don’t drown it in cream and sugar.
7. Also earlier this year, a study found coffee drinkers do live longer, but only if you stop drinking it by noon. All-day coffee addicts don’t get the same benefits.
8. It can even save you from sedentary issues. A recent study found sitting on your butt all day might kill you, but maybe not if you drink enough coffee. Coffee drinkers who sit all day are 24% less likely to die young than people who sit all day and don’t drink it.
9. Would you give up coffee or mac-and-cheese? In a recent poll, 56% of Americans claim they’d be willing to give up coffee before giving up macaroni and cheese.
10. If you love coffee, explore what’s out there. A blind taste test found 45% of us are drinking a roast we THINK we like, when we actually prefer something else. For example, a third of people who say they like dark or medium roasts actually prefer one that’s lighter.
