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Coffee is such an integral part of so many people's lives that there are so many moments in pop culture history that feature the iconic beverage, from Audrey Hepburn carrying a cup of it in “Breakfast at Tiffany's” to Thor smashing a cup of it in the Marvel movie named after him.

Seeing how prominent it is on the cultural landscape, it isn't really surprising that something like International Coffee Day exists. But if you're someone who's only finding out about this now, here's everything you need to know about this day celebrating coffee.

International Coffee Day began on October 1, 2015, as set by the International Coffee Organization. The organization began in London in 1963, with the patronage of the United Nations, as recognition of coffee's economic importance.

While the official date is on October 1, it's a testament to coffee's position in the cultural and economic firmament that several “coffee days” were already being held years before it was formalized in 2015. Japan was holding coffee day events as far back as 1983, while “National Coffee Day” was already being used in the United States back in 2005.

International Coffee Day doesn't just celebrate your everyday cup of Joe but also promotes fair trade coffee and the conditions coffee growers work under. It's even more important now when the pandemic is affecting local coffee industries like that of the Philippines.

Since its establishment in 2015, coffee shops have also used International Coffee Day as an opportunity to provide their customers with discounts. The Philippines is no different, with the promotional deals below as an example.

From today to October 7, J.CO Donuts has an International Coffee Day promo that lets customers enjoy two Uno-size coffee drinks and a coffee-loaded half dozen all for Php 399. Customers can avail of the promotion via Grab or in multiple participating branches.

Tim Hortons Coffee also offers a deal that lets customers get their second cup of coffee at 50 percent off, as long as it's the same type of coffee as their first cup. The deal is available until today.

UCC Coffee Shops Philippines also offers a complimentary cup of coffee to anyone who orders an all-day breakfast menu item this International Coffee day.

Meanwhile, Commune customers get a free cold brew for every minimum purchase worth P1000.

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