National Coffee Day In Bethesda: Where To Get Your Joe Fix

BETHESDA, MD — For many on the go in Bethesda, drinking coffee is celebrated seven mornings a week.

But there’s a specific date that is specifically set to highlight one of the world’s most consumed beverages. National Coffee Day is Sept. 29 across the United States and falls on a Wednesday in 2021.

National Coffee Day gives java lovers in Bethesda another reason to visit one of their local coffee shops.

In Bethesda, some local coffee shops include:

• Quartermaine Coffee Roaster, 4817 Bethesda Ave.
• Dolcezza Gelato and Coffee, 7111 Bethesda Lane
• Ceremony Coffee at Bethesda Crescent, 7475 Wisconsin Ave.
• Bethesda Chocolates, 8003 Woodmont Ave.
• Tout De Sweet Pastry Shop, 7831 Woodmont Ave.
• PAUL, 4760 Bethesda Ave.
• Kudo Beans Cafe, 7501 Wisconsin Ave.
• WFM Coffee Bar, 4420 Willard Ave, Chevy Chase

The exact origin of how Sept. 29 (or Oct. 1 in other countries) became National Coffee Day is cloudy, according to a NationalToday.com summary of the country’s long connection with the drink. It points to the 1773 Boston Tea Party as a key moment in U.S. history for when the country, quite literally, dumped tea for coffee.

When the people of the 13 colonies revolted against King George III’s hefty tea tax, “tea was out, and coffee was in,” the summary states.

The United States’ connection with coffee only became stronger in the years to follow. Brothers John and Charles Arbuckle started selling coffee to cowboys in the American West during the mid-1800s, and James Folger introduced the drink to gold miners in California before creating the J.A. Folger & Co. in 1872, according to NationalToday.com.

Other brands still around today, such as Maxwell House and Hills Brothers, eventually entered the coffee market. And Starbucks “changed everything” when it formed in Seattle in 1971, according to the summary.

The U.S. coffee shop market has now grown into a $45.4 billion industry, according to an account that cites the Allegra World Coffee Portal’s 2019 Project Café USA report.

A number of chain coffee shops are expected to offer deals for National Coffee Day, TheSpruceEats.com says.

Among them, Krispy Kreme will offer a free coffee and doughnut on the day, Dunkin’ Donuts a free medium hot or iced coffee with any purchase, and LaMar’s Donuts a free small cup of coffee.

Local 7-Eleven stores have also offered National Coffee Day deals. Coffee drinkers will receive one free, any size hot coffee with the purchase of a baked good at participating 7-Eleven stores nationwide. In addition, shoppers who use the store’s smartphone app can enjoy a free extra large hot coffee with any purchase.

Starbucks also typically offers free samples or cups of coffee on Sept. 29, Coffeeaffection.com reported this year.

Here are some larger chains with locations in your area:

Philz Coffee, 7247 Woodmont Ave.

Tatte Bakery and Cafe, 7276 Wisconsin Ave.

Starbucks (does not include locations inside other stores)

• 1 Bethesda Metro Center
• 1 Bethesda Metro Center
• 7200 Wisconsin Ave.
• 7700 Norfolk Ave.
• 8542 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase
• 5438 Westbard Ave.
• 5454 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase
• 4611-E Sangamore Road
• 10251 Old Georgetown Road

Dunkin'

• 7500 Old Georgetown Road
• 4943 Elm Street
• 4905 Cordell Ave.
• 8901 Wisconsin Ave.