International
Coffee
Day
what's your
go-to
beverage?
Coffee Day
Whether it’s to wake you up, keep you energised or an excuse to meet friends, there’s always time for a delicious cup of coffee. At The Lowry Lounge & Bar, we love brewing the perfect coffee, why not take a trip and taste it for yourself! International coffee day takes place on 1st October so let’s look at what makes this day so special.
Did you know that during the 17th Century, coffee houses known as ‘penny universities,’ served a cup of coffee for just one penny?
According to history, coffee beans are originally from Ethiopia, and its discovery in Africa is quite interesting. The most popular legend is said to have been between 500 - 700 A.D. when a herd of goats were acting incredibly strange, and their owner grew concerned. Upon investigation, he concluded that a red bean was the source of the behaviour. He discovered the beans would help to keep him awake at night. There are two versions of how the story ended, however soon after, coffee made its way through the north into Yemen in the 15th Century where the beans arrived under the name ‘mocha.’ Coffee started to become well known in Egypt, Persia, and Turkey as “wine of Araby.’ However, coffee was not a beverage consumed in homes, by the 17th Century instead coffee houses started to open under the name of “Schools of the Wise.’
Pilgrims who visited Mecca would take stories with them about the public houses that served a miracle beverage. Eventually, the news about coffee reached Europe and the love for coffee grew across the world.
Where does coffee come from?
Coffee comes from a bright berry that appears on the coffee bush or small tree. The coffee bean is the seed inside the berry and this seed contains the caffeine. The natural bitterness of caffeine creates an organic defence for the plant against animals who would otherwise eat the berries. Once separated from the berry, the beans are roasted to bring out the delicious flavours and aroma, and coffee is now served in a variety of different ways, whether it’s a black coffee, latte, or a flavoured iced coffee.
How the UK grew into a nation of coffee lovers…
During the 16th Century, coffee was brought to England and the first coffeehouse was opened in St. Michael's Alley in Cornhill and apparently in the UK, women were initially banned from coffee houses, and it was said drinking tea was a more feminine activity. Many believed that coffee has many medicinal qualities that aided in several health benefits.
Although iced coffee is the go-to for a modern coffee drinker in the UK, its origins date back further than you may think. In 1840, the Mazagran was created, this is a drink made from cold water and either coffee or coffee syrup. It’s unsure where it was crafted, however it was named by French soldiers after a region in Algeria and it didn’t hit mainstream coffee shops until 1920s. Today, the iced coffee comes in different sizes, flavours and can even be served with a topping of cream.
Over the years, with different coffee types being created by large chains and small cafes, the UK has grown into a coffee – loving nation. It’s estimated that around 98 million cups of coffee are consumed every single day across the UK, with 80% of the British public frequenting coffee shops each week. Additionally, recent studies have found that coffee does in fact have health benefits as people in the past believed with decaffeinated, ground, and instant coffee proving to decrease risk of heart problems. The UK love all different types of coffee, do you have a favourite go-to when you need a little power boost?
The Lowry Hotel have an incredible and ongoing collaboration with Salford Roasters who ensure our machines are running smoothy so we can prepare the perfect cup of coffee that is locally roasted. We serve you the single origin Nicaraguan medium-dark roast on your espresso menu after 11am, and our guests will always drink coffee roasted within 2 weeks.
Whether it’s a hot cappuccino, an iced oat milk latte, or just an espresso to give you the kick you need, visit the Lowry Lounge & Bar for the perfect cup of coffee this International Coffee Day… or any day in fact.