October 1 is International Coffee Day and since its inception by the International Coffee Organization in 2015, communities all over the world have been celebrating this morning staple. However, “coffee day” has long been celebrated by different countries dating back to 1983 in Japan. But more than just enjoying a cup of good coffee on this day, International Coffee Day is actually established to promote fair trade coffee and help raise awareness on the struggles of coffee growers all over the world. Many coffee shops and stores are offering great discounts today through the weekend, so make sure to check out the stores in your neighborhood. In the meantime, we’ve curated some interesting recipes which use coffee as an ingredient. Check out the sweet treats below and put a spin on your favorite coffee today. Also in this story, we’ve rounded up the top 5 best-selling and highly rated coffee makers in the market today. Lastly, check out our recommendations on favorite coffee beans and brews by coffee enthusiasts all over the country.
International Coffee Day 2020: Delicious Coffee Recipes to Try
Irish Coffee Cupcakes
Recipe by Someonewhobakes, Photo by James Ransom at Food52
This Fall-perfect recipe combines the creaminess of Bailey’s buttercream to add flavor to whiskey-basted cupcakes. Satisfy your and your family’s sweet tooth with these cupcakes that feature the kick of strong coffee. What you’ll need in this recipe are unsalted butter, sugar, flour, strong brewed coffee, vanilla extract, instant espresso or coffee, whiskey, and some Bailey’s Irish Cream. Get the full recipe at Food52.
Coffee Pudding
Recipe by Kendra Vaculin, Photo by James Ransom at Food52
Kendra Vaculin creates an immaculate combination of coffee, cinnamon, and tahini in this recipe. Capturing the aroma of coffee, this pudding features a subtle level of spice and nuttiness for coffee lovers out there. Perfect as a snack for those working from home this season! Grab the full recipe at Food52.
Frosted Coffee Fingers
Recipe by ChefJune, Photo by Bobbi Lin at Food52
Easy to make and truly delightful, this crowd pleaser is a yummy combination of espresso and cinnamon that calls to mind the flavors of ginger spice, which is perfect for the Fall season. You can even make a glaze with coffee liquor and almond or vanilla extract. The possibilities are endless! Get the full recipe at Food52.
Rhubarb Coffee Cake With Cardamom-Ginger Crumble
Recipe by Grant Melton, Photo by Ty Mecham at Food52
Get nostalgic about feelings of Springtime with this coffee cake featuring a cardamom-ginger crumble thanks to its rhubarb jam that balances out the sweet, lemony, gingery crumble that sits on top of the cake. The crunchy, spiced crumb highlights the creamy coffee goodness of the cake which is perfect with—you guessed it—coffee! Get the whole recipe at Food52.
Vietnamese Coffee Popsicles
Recipe by Miranda Keyes, Photo by Julia Gartland at Food52
Put a new twist to afternoon coolers with these Vietnamese Coffee Popsicles, inspired by Vietnamese coffee that’s sweetened by condensed milk. Treat your sweet tooth to this cooling delight that will also give you a boost to make it through the afternoons. Get the recipe at Food52.
Fun Coffee Facts for International Coffee Day
- Brazil produces about one third of the world’s supply of coffee, making them the biggest coffee producers in the world. (Source: GoodHousekeeping)
- Coffee beans are in fact berries from the coffee tree bush. (Source: Coffee.org)
- There are only two main types of coffee, namely Robusta and Arabica, which is the more predominantly grown and harvested kind. (Source: GoodHousekeeping)
- Coffee has been proven to help boost one’s metabolic rate by 3% to 11%, making it an effective fat-burner. (Source: Healthline)
- Coffee has been found to help people live longer, according to a study that revealed coffee drinkers were “12% less likely to die from cancer, stroke, heart disease or diabetes than non-drinkers.” (Source: Women’s Health)
International Coffee Day 2020: The Best Coffee Makers According to Coffee Lovers
1. The Best Coffee Maker Under $100: Cuisinart Perfectemp Coffee Maker
For those on a budget, invest in a robust coffee maker that adds both style and function to your countertop. The Cuisinart Perfectemp Coffee Maker is a programmable coffee maker that features a state-of-the-art technology to ensure hotter coffee without sacrificing flavor or quality. It has a brew strength control that allows you to select regular or a bolder coffee flavor for a more personalized cup. Its 14-cup glass carafe can create as little as 1-4 cups or as many as 14 cups for the entire family. Its gold-tone filter makes brewing effortless, while its control panel makes it easy to program, self-clean, and more. The features that customers love the most are its flavor, easy to use, easy to clean, versatility, quality of material, and durability. This Cuisinart coffee maker has an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “Within a couple hours of brewing the coffee is still thermonuclear hot. After 6 hours you’ll have to boost the heat with a microwave. It’s that good. Perfect for when one person is an early bird and another not so much. No more burnt coffee for the late riser. Perfect solution. Absolutely recommended.” Thistle
2. The Best Coffee Maker Between $100 to $200: Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker
For those who want to go the extra mile with their cup of coffee, consider the Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker, which lets you brew super-rich coffee concentrate that you can use to create delicious lattes, macchiato, cappuccinos, and other coffeehouse style drinks. Coffee enthusiasts will love this coffee maker, which can brew anything from a single cup or travel size up to half carafe or full carafe for larger families. It also features a fold away frother that turns hot or cold milk into silky smooth froth. With four amazing brew styles, you’ll never run out of coffee options during your work week. Start with the classic and rich brew for those who enjoy coffee as it is, or iced coffee for those who want it cold. You can also brew super rich coffee concentrates for lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos, and more. Comes with a 50 oz carafe. This Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker has an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “Makes great tasting coffee, either by the cup or carafe, it always tastes great. Love that I can make a carafe in the morning or just a cup or half carafe if I want in the afternoon. Like having a removable water reservoir that is easy to clean but I wish I could fit my hand further into the carafe to clean it. Overall I am very happy with this purchase.” D. Ward
3. The Best Coffee Maker Above $200: Technivorm Moccamaster KBG 10-Cup Coffee Maker in Polished Silver
For fancy coffee connoisseurs, go for the Technivorm Moccamaster KBG, a versatile pump-free coffee maker that can brew a full 40 oz pot of coffee in 4-6 minutes using one switch. With a quiet and safe machine, this coffee maker automatically turns off after 100 minutes. It features a glass carafe and an automatic drip-stop brew-basket that prevents the flow of coffee when the carafe is removed. It also features a unique hot plate that is engineered with a separate, independent element to keep coffee hot and tasting as fresh as the first cup. Its unique 9-hole outlet arm pulses water at 196°-205°F over coffee to ensure even extraction and the most flavorful cup you’ll experience. The Moccamaster has an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “I’ve had it for about two weeks now. I hesitated because of the price and because reviewers pointed out the glass is thin and plastic is thin. They were correct. Perhaps that is how all of the parts are recyclable? The reviewers were also correct that this coffee maker produces the best coffee. So smooth and clean. And the hot plate works – doesn’t burn. I’ve had Bonavita, cuisinart, and a slew of other machines over the years. If you have the means, buy this. It’s quite impressive.” Michelle Peters
4. Best Selling Coffee Maker on Amazon: Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker
When all you want is a straightforward cup of coffee and a no-fuss coffee maker, go for the Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker that you can easily set up, turn on, and brew. This machine offers rich-tasting coffee that is expertly brewed without the hassles. It features a function called Grab-A-Cup Auto Pause that lets you pour a rich-tasting cup even before the brew cycle is finished. Its dual water window allows visibility for easy use, while its lift and clean filter basket makes for easy cleanup. The Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “I use this coffee maker every morning. I’ve been using Mr. Coffee for years and I’m always satisfied with the way it works. It keeps the coffee warm and doesn’t shut off automatically after 2 hours, which I like, because I sit and have my coffee in the morning and read the news. I answer emails and sometimes that goes over two hours. I enjoy this morning time and my few cups of coffee.” Marge B.
5. Best Single-serve Coffee Maker: Keurig Maker Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer
For students who live in a dorm or those who live in small spaces such as apartments in the city, the Keurig Maker Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer that is small but powerful. It’s less than 5 inches wide, but this Keurig can brew between 6-12oz with K-Cup pods. This coffee maker is compatible with Keurig K-Cup pods and is also compatible with the Keurig My K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter. It also features an automatic off function that turns off 90 seconds after the last brew, making it energy efficient. This product has an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “I love this mini Keurig as it is much slimmer than my other mini Keurig and takes up less precious counter space. Also, it is taller, so you can fit a larger mug or thermos on it. Gets coffee extremely hot, which is great if you’re adding a lot of cream or milk.” Nora
International Coffee Day 2020: Best Coffee Beans According to The Spruce
Here are some top editorial picks courtesy of The Spruce:
1. Best Overall: Kicking Horse Coffee, Kick Ass, Dark Roast, Whole Bean, 10 oz
Featuring a sweet, smoky, audacious aroma, this remarkable blend of beans have tasting notes of chocolate malt, molasses, licorice and an earthy lingering finish. Great for French Press, drip machine, pour over and cold brew. These beans originate from Indonesia and South America, grown in a socially and environmentally responsible way, by farmers with sustainable businesses they can depend on. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
2. Best Light Roast: Intelligentsia House Blend Light Roast, Direct Trade, Whole Bean Coffee
Featuring lively fruit and cane sugar sweetness, this blend features tasting notes of mandarin, lemon, milk chocolate and apple. These beans come from Latin America and are 100% Direct Trade. Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
3. Best Dark Roast: Death Wish Coffee The World’s Strongest Whole Bean Coffee Arabica and Robusta Beans
Featuring a smooth, subtle, never bitter cherry and chocolate flavor profile, these premium Arabica and Robusta beans are small batch roasted to ensure quality and consistency with every cup. These fair trade, USDA certified organic beans are highly caffeinated and feature a dark roast bold flavor. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
4. Best for Cold Brew: Stone Street Coffee Cold Brew Reserve Colombian Supremo Whole Bean Coffee Dark Roast
Especially crafted for cold brewing, these beans are dark roasted for a bolder yet smoother cup. These are 100% Colombian Supremo beans that come in a 3-Layer natural kraft foil bag that ensures top quality freshness. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
5. Best Budget: Seattle’s Best Coffee Portside Blend Medium Roast Whole Bean Coffee
Formerly known as Signature Blend No. 3, Portside Blend is a medium roasted coffee with a well-rounded, smooth flavor. These beans are 100% Arabica and sourced exclusively from Latin America. Makes for a delicious, well-bodied cup on a budget. Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
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