How Was Your International Coffee Week?

(Here’s What We Loved — and What’s Next)

If you’re reading this, chances are you just survived (and hopefully thrived in) International Coffee Week. Seven glorious days of latte art, new beans, café hopping, and nerding out over everything coffee-related. At The Coffee Blog (TCB), Southern Africa’s biggest coffee blog, we’ve been buzzing (literally) from all the excitement.

So, how was it for you? Did you try something new, discover a local gem, or just soak up the vibe online? Whether you celebrated quietly at home or went full-on barista mode, we want to relive the week with you. Here’s a roundup of the highlights, a peek at what we learned, and a few ideas to keep that coffee-week magic going all year long.

A Quick Look Back: What Is International Coffee Week?

Think of International Coffee Week as International Coffee Day’s cooler, bigger sibling. Instead of a single day on October 1st, coffee lovers get an entire week of celebrations—brewing workshops, café deals, online tastings, giveaways, and more.

It’s not an “official” holiday everywhere, but cafés, roasters, and coffee fans worldwide have embraced the idea of stretching out the festivities. And why not? Coffee is more than a drink. It’s a culture, a livelihood, and for many of us, a daily ritual we can’t imagine skipping.

Our Favorite Moments from This Year’s Coffee Week

At TCB, we spent the week doing what we do best—sipping, sharing, and scouting the coolest things happening in Southern Africa’s coffee scene. Here are some standouts:

1. Home Brewing Got Serious

More of you than ever posted photos of your home setups—French presses, pour-overs, moka pots, even DIY cold brew towers. The creativity blew us away. One reader sent in a picture of a pour-over station built from recycled wood. (We’re still impressed.)

2. Cafés Went All Out

Local cafés across Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban offered special Coffee Week menus—think spiced cortados, limited-edition beans, and free cupping sessions. Many even partnered with roasters to showcase sustainable or direct-trade coffees.

3. New Flavors, New Horizons

We saw a huge interest in African single-origin beans beyond the usual suspects. Rwanda, Burundi, and even Uganda were hot picks this year. TCB readers reported brighter, fruitier cups and loved learning the stories behind these coffees.

4. People Got Curious About Sustainability

It wasn’t just about the brew. More of you asked questions about ethical sourcing, composting coffee grounds, and reusable cups. It’s clear the coffee community is leaning greener, and we’re here for it.

Lessons Learned: What Coffee Week Taught Us

International Coffee Week isn’t just about freebies and fun (though we’re not complaining about those). It’s also a chance to reflect on the bigger picture. Here’s what stood out:

• Education matters. Workshops on brewing, tasting, and sustainability were packed. People want to understand their coffee, not just drink it.

• Local pride is growing. Southern Africa’s roasters and baristas are gaining global attention, and Coffee Week gave them a platform to shine.

• Connection beats competition. We saw cafés collaborate rather than compete—sharing beans, hosting joint events, and lifting each other up. That’s the kind of coffee culture we love.

How to Keep the Coffee Week Vibes Going

Just because the official week is over doesn’t mean your coffee adventure has to end. Here are some simple, actionable ways to keep the momentum alive:

1. Pick One New Habit You Loved

Maybe you started grinding your beans fresh. Maybe you tried a new brew method. Maybe you finally switched to a reusable cup. Whatever it was, commit to keeping that habit for at least a month. Small changes, big difference.

2. Explore One New Origin a Month

Coffee Week introduced many of us to beans we’d never tried. Why stop now? Set a mini-challenge: each month, buy a bag from a different origin—Ethiopia, Kenya, Guatemala, Brazil, or even a local micro-lot roast. Track the tasting notes in a simple journal.

3. Support the People Behind Your Coffee

Follow your favorite roasters on social media. Buy from brands that pay farmers fairly. Consider donating to organizations supporting coffee communities. Your daily cup has power—use it.

4. Share Your Coffee Story

Snap a photo of your morning brew and tag us. Post about the café you discovered. Start a little coffee chat with a friend or coworker. The more we share, the more connected the coffee world becomes.

5. Sign Up for Workshops

Many cafés and roasters run classes year-round—latte art, cupping, home brewing basics. Coffee Week may have introduced you to these; now’s your chance to deepen your skills.

Fun Reader Highlights

We asked you on Instagram and our newsletter how you were celebrating International Coffee Week, and the responses poured in (pun totally intended):

• “Tried my first pour-over at home and now I’m hooked!” – Mpho, Pretoria

• “Visited three new cafés in Durban and found my new favorite flat white.” – Alicia, Durban

• “Switched to a reusable cup and even convinced my office to compost our grounds!” – Ryan, Cape Town

These stories are exactly why we do what we do at TCB. Coffee brings people together, sparks small changes, and makes everyday life a little richer.

Our Team’s Top Picks from the Week

Because you know we can’t resist sharing our own faves:

• Best New Bean: A fruity Rwandan medium roast from a tiny roaster in Stellenbosch. Bright, sweet, and endlessly drinkable.

• Most Surprising Drink: An espresso tonic with a splash of grapefruit. Sounds odd, tastes incredible.

• Coolest Event: A public cupping hosted jointly by three rival cafés—proof that collaboration makes the coffee scene stronger.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next at TCB

We’re not done celebrating. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be rolling out:

• New brew guides for the methods you told us you’re most curious about.

• Deep dives into African coffee origins you may not know yet.

• Behind-the-scenes stories from local roasters and farmers.

Because Coffee Week is fun, but our mission is year-round: making coffee culture more approachable, informative, and enjoyable for everyone.

We Want to Hear From You

How was your International Coffee Week? Did you discover a new favorite origin, gadget, or café? Did you attend a workshop or make your first latte art heart? Drop us a comment below or tag us on social media. We’ll feature some of our favorite reader stories in an upcoming post.

And if you don’t want to miss the next big coffee moment, subscribe to our newsletter. It’s where we share exclusive tips, early access to guides, and fun extras you won’t see on the blog.

The Bottom Line

International Coffee Week may be over, but the spirit behind it—curiosity, community, and appreciation—doesn’t have to fade. With a little intention, you can carry those vibes into your daily routine, one delicious cup at a time.

From all of us at The Coffee Blog, thanks for making Coffee Week amazing. Here’s to more brewing, more learning, and more connection—until next year (or, you know, tomorrow morning).

Keep the buzz going! Subscribe to The Coffee Blog newsletter here for weekly coffee tips, café reviews, and stories straight from Southern Africa’s biggest coffee community.

This one’s equally conversational, but instead of explaining the day, it’s a warm “look-back and keep-it-going” post, built around reader engagement and actionable steps.

Would you like me to design a short email teaser for this post as well (to send to newsletter subscribers)?