National Gourmet Coffee Day is the first coffee-related observance of the year, celebrated annually on January 18. The day celebrates the high-quality coffee made from carefully sourced beans and prepared with methods that highlight flavor, aroma, and origin.
The idea of gourmet coffee became widely used in the mid-to-late 20th century, as consumers began paying attention to bean quality, freshness, and flavor complexity. While the exact founder of the day is not documented, it likely emerged in the early 2000s alongside the rapid expansion of specialty coffee culture and independent roasteries across the United States.
When is National Gourmet Coffee Day?
National Gourmet Coffee Day is observed every year on January 18. The table below shows the exact calendar dates and weekdays for the observance from 2026 to 2030.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | January 18 |
| 2027 | January 18 |
| 2028 | January 18 |
| 2029 | January 18 |
| 2030 | January 18 |
What Is Gourmet Coffee?
Gourmet coffee is commonly associated with higher standards in sourcing, processing, and preparation compared to conventional commercial coffee.
- Gourmet coffee is almost exclusively made from 100% Arabica beans. Arabica beans contain roughly 60% more lipids and about twice the natural sugars found in Robusta beans, which are widely used in lower-cost commercial blends. This chemical composition contributes to smoother texture and more layered flavor.
- Arabica beans used for gourmet coffee are typically grown at higher elevations, often above 3,000 feet, in regions with stable climates and nutrient-rich soil. Slower growth at altitude allows flavors to develop more fully. Many gourmet coffees emphasize traceability, with single-origin labeling that identifies a specific country, region, or farm.
- Quality is maintained through selective harvesting, frequently done by hand to ensure only ripe coffee cherries are picked. After harvest, beans are processed using methods designed to preserve clarity and balance. Roasting is usually performed in small batches, with roast profiles adjusted to highlight natural characteristics such as cocoa, fruit, or floral notes rather than masking them with heavy roasting.
Gourmet Coffee vs. Specialty Coffee
Although the two terms are often used interchangeably in everyday language, they have different meanings within the coffee industry.
- Gourmet coffee functions primarily as a descriptive or marketing term. It may refer to high-quality single-origin beans, but it can also include flavored coffees or blends enhanced with ingredients such as spices, cream-based flavorings, or liqueur-inspired additives.
- Specialty coffee is a formal quality classification governed by the Specialty Coffee Association. To qualify as specialty grade, coffee must score 80 points or higher on a 100-point sensory evaluation scale, meet strict processing standards, and contain no primary defects.
Gourmet Coffee in the United States
In the United States, gourmet coffee is widely available through grocery stores, cafés, and online retailers, reflecting the country’s diverse coffee market. Products range from premium blends produced at scale to carefully sourced, small-batch coffees sold directly by specialty roasters.
Established American brands such as Peet’s Coffee offer premium blends and single-origin options that helped shape the U.S. perception of higher-quality coffee beginning in the late 20th century. Starbucks markets gourmet and limited-lot coffees through its Reserve line, which focuses on rarer beans and more detailed origin information than its standard offerings.
Imported European brands also play a significant role. Lavazza and Illy are widely available in the U.S. and are known for espresso-centered blends designed for consistency and balance rather than single-farm expression. These brands are commonly labeled gourmet in consumer markets due to their quality positioning and long-standing reputations.
Alongside these large producers, specialty-focused roasters such as Blue Bottle Coffee, Stumptown Coffee Roasters, and Counter Culture Coffee sell high-grade beans through cafés and online platforms. These companies typically operate within formal specialty coffee standards, emphasizing transparent sourcing, sensory evaluation, and freshness.
How to Observe National Gourmet Coffee Day
People often use the day as a reason to slow down and pay closer attention to how their coffee tastes, how it is prepared, and where it comes from, whether at home or in a café.
- Explore a new origin. You might try a single-origin coffee from a region you do not usually choose, such as Ethiopia or Colombia, and pay attention to differences in aroma, acidity, and mouthfeel.
- Learn a brewing method. Local cafés and roasteries might host educational sessions on advanced brewing techniques like pour-over or French press.
- Look for limited offerings. Some coffee shops offer discounts, tastings, or limited-edition gourmet blends for the day.
- Experiment at home. You may prepare coffee using traditional styles such as Turkish coffee or Moroccan spiced coffee, or prepare homemade syrups like caramel and vanilla to add to your coffee.
- Share the experience. Share photos or short notes about your coffee on social media using #NationalGourmetCoffeeDay to connect with others.
