Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Coffee drinkers on the Gulf Coast are starting this morning with more than just their usual routine. Today marks National Coffee Day, a worldwide celebration of one of the most popular beverages on the planet. The day is a chance to recognize coffee’s history, its global economic impact, and its role in local communities. In Orange Beach and beyond, coffee shops are ready to welcome customers looking to join in.

The annual event falls on September 29th each year. In the United States, it has been observed since the mid-2000s, often promoted by local cafés and national retailers. While the exact origins are not well documented, the day has spread internationally, with different countries marking it at various times. What remains consistent is the recognition of coffee as both a daily ritual and a livelihood for millions worldwide.

The story of coffee stretches back centuries. According to legend, an Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi first noticed the plant’s effects after his animals became energetic from eating coffee cherries. Monks then began brewing the beans to stay alert during evening prayers. By the 15th century, coffee houses across Cairo and Istanbul were buzzing with music, conversation, and political discussion. When the drink reached Europe and later the Americas, it quickly became a cultural staple and a major trade commodity.

Here on the Gulf Coast, National Coffee Day carries a more personal flavor. BuzzCatz Coffee and Sweets in Orange Beach is serving up homemade pastries alongside its locally roasted blends, making it a go-to for both morning regulars and visiting beachgoers. The café’s menu offers plenty of options for those looking to pair a sweet treat with their caffeine fix.

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National Coffee Day also brings attention to the larger picture. Coffee remains a lifeline for farmers across Africa, Central and South America, and Asia, many of whom face challenges tied to climate and markets. Today’s celebration may feel lighthearted, but it reflects a much deeper connection that links morning cups on the Gulf Coast with people and traditions around the world.

Coffee Quotes:

"I don't drink coffee to wake up. I wake up to drink coffee." - Unknown
"Life's too short for bad coffee."  - Gord Downie
"Seven days without coffee makes one WEAK." - Unknown
"I never drink coffee at lunch. I find it keeps me awake for the afternoon." - Ronald Reagan
"What goes best with a cup of coffee? Another cup." - Henry Rollins
"My birthstone is a coffee bean." - Unknown
"Caffeine and sugar, the two basic food groups." - Laurell K. Hamilton
"I want someone to look at me the way I look at coffee." - Unknown
"May your coffee kick in before reality does." - Unknown
"I never laugh until I’ve had my coffee." - Clark Gable
"We want to do a lot of stuff; we’re not in great shape. We didn’t get a good night’s sleep. We’re a little depressed. Coffee solves all these problems in one delightful little cup." - Jerry Seinfeld
"Life without coffee is like something without something … sorry, I haven’t had any coffee yet." - Unknown
"I'd rather take coffee than compliments just now." - Louisa May Alcott
"I would rather suffer with coffee than be senseless." - Napoleon Bonaparte
"It’s strange how drinking cups of water seems impossible, but 8 cups of coffee go down like a chubby kid on a seesaw." - Unknown
"No matter what historians claimed, BC really stood for ‘Before Coffee.’" - Cherise Sinclair
"Sometimes I go hours without drinking coffee. It’s called sleeping." - Unknown
"I have measured out my life with coffee spoons." - T.S. Eliot