And today is .......

[tiger_one]

January 18


National Gourmet Coffee Day “pours” each January 18.

Whether it’s the rich flavour, or the caffeine boost that can help a person wake up in the morning, coffee has become an important part of the Aussie start (or middle or end) of the day, and for billions’ others worldwide!

With hundreds of varieties of beans, and dozens of interesting ways of brewing, each bringing its own unique flavour, coffee has been developing over the years.

From espresso machines in Italy to fine grounds in a Turkish Ibrik, to the popularity of freeze-dried or instant crystals, coffee has evolved in many ways.

The improvement of coffee in recent decades means that coffee lovers and caffeine addicts alike can have more consistent expectations when it comes to the way their morning cup of Joe is enjoyed.

National Gourmet Coffee Day is a salute to this development of gourmet coffee as its flavour brings joy and delight daily!

The love of coffee is strong in Australia, with more than one in four (27%) indicating they cannot survive the day without it, and 9 in 10 (88%) stating they like it to some extent.

Australians have a deep love for gourmet, specialty coffee, treating it as a cultural ritual focused on quality, craftsmanship, skilled baristas, and unique flavour profiles, evident in their high consumption, sophisticated cafe scene and willingness to pay for premium experiences, even embracing home brewing with machines like Nespresso for consistent quality.

Aussies unique gourmet coffee culture is built around independent cafes and a commitment to quality. This preference for high-quality, artisanal coffee sets Australians apart in the global market.

Our local market is largely driven by small, independently owned cafes. This differs from countries with a higher presence of large chain coffee stores and highlights Australia’s unique dedication to quality over convenience.

Australia’s younger generations have a greater dependency on coffee, with around a third needing it to survive the day (33% Gen Y and 30% Gen X). By comparison the Builders generation are the most likely to see coffee as something nice to have but don’t need it (45%).

We also don’t mind paying for what we love, with more than four in five Australians (84%) spending money on coffee in an average week, based on taste and preference.

The majority of Australians who drink coffee will make a coffee at home on a usual weekday (86%). However, when it comes to purchasing a coffee from a café, younger generations are more likely to do so than their older counterparts (61% Gen Z, 53% Gen Y cf. 36% Gen X, 33% Baby Boomers, 26% Builders).

Coffee drinkers who prefer espresso coffee are the most likely to purchase their coffee from a cafe (60% cf. 36% coffee pods, 22% instant coffee). More than three quarters of those who prefer espresso coffee (77%), however, will make a coffee at home on an average weekday.

The coffee-drinking ritual in Australia is well established. Almost every conversation usually starts with ‘Wanna grab a cup of coffee', whether it's a date, a colleague, or even a best friend.

The coffee in Australia is not about quantity but quality and that's what makes the gourmet coffee so special. It is believed that Australian coffee is the best in the world. Aussies see coffee as a part of their daily routine and it's so important to them that they walk into their favourite cafe every day and even brew coffee at home or in the office, and always to their individual taste and preference.

Coffee drinking is an essential part of the daily lives of Australians. We usually place importance on the quality of the beans, the type, roast and they take their time to brew coffee or enjoy it from their favourite cafes. We can say that we have nailed the approach to coffee drinking and are models for coffees in other parts of the world.

We can recreate our versions of flat white or espresso at home. It's so simple. Well, if we choose the coffee bean of taste and then the method of preparation. Perfection varies, one taste bud to the next. Did I say simple?

We have coffee options everywhere. Cafes are multiplying. Coffee roasteries have increased in popularity. Coffee lovers are trying their hand at roasting, giving people like me access to the best of the best beans. There again, most households now own a barista-style coffee machine, making it incredibly easy for coffee drinkers to get their fix of the sweet brown elixir of life without having to leave the house.

Coffee shops are increasingly the Aussies’ primary social hubs, driven by health consciousness, a desire for inclusive daytime spaces, the rise of "sober socialising" (especially among Gen Z), and the need for affordable, flexible gathering spots. And these cafes are driven by our gourmet coffee preferences.

Australia has a unique relationship with coffee compared to the rest of the world. We know our baristas by name, are proud of our complex coffee orders, and expect a high standard of flavour and quality from every cup. Research shows 59% of Aussies drink coffee for the taste, with the quality of the blend driving customer behaviour (68%), followed by affordability (58%) and coffee shop location (51%).

Our gourmet coffee culture shows no signs of slowing down. The future will likely see (1): An increased demand for specialty coffee where a growing taste for quality will increase the demand for specialty coffee; (2) Australian consumers continue to be aware of the need for ethically sourced and environmentally sustainable coffee practices: and (3) As tastes evolve, cafes may experiment with new brewing methods and even more flavour profiles, keeping Australia’s coffee scene dynamic and forward-thinking.

Australia’s rise as a gourmet coffee powerhouse reflects more than just an increased caffeine intake; it’s a testament to an ongoing culture that values quality, community, and craftsmanship.

Oh, did I say “taste?”
And would that be one shot, or two?
Flat white?
Cappuccino?
Latte?
Short black?
Long black?
Piccolo latte?
Macchiato?
Ristretto?
Skim, soy, oat, almond, or coconut milk?
You name it - we've got it!
.

Fun Fact about Gourmet Coffee:

1. In Finland, there are two legally mandated ten-minute coffee breaks enforced as part of their work days (something I’m sure we’d have no worries getting behind here in Australia).
2. 30% of our nation drink three or more cups of coffee per day.
3. 7am is officially Coffee Hour in Australia, with 24% of Aussies drinking coffee between 7am - 8am.
4. “Don't talk to me until I've had my morning coffee”: 26% of Aussies drink coffee before doing anything else in the morning.

“Hit me with your best shot”

“Coffee, because adulting is hard.”

“No matter what historians claimed, BC really stood for ‘Before Coffee.’”

“I had some dreams; they were clouds in my coffee.”

 

[tiger_one]

January 19



Good Memory Day is celebrated each 19 January (if we remember!!).

The best moments in life are often the simplest. Long-cherished experiences can brighten our spirits and fill us with gratitude. Forget about those worries or struggles, set aside those fears of the future or bad times of the past. Today is all about celebrating Good Memory Day!

The spirit and intent of today focuses on cherishing positive past moments, creating new ones, and supporting those with memory loss, emphasizing carrying lessons forward, and broader ideas around self-reflection, gratitude, and creative memory-keeping like scrapbooking.

Today, we can use this opportunity to take time to be thankful for experiences that have shaped us and talk about favourite moments with loved ones. We can relive memories close to our hearts, remembering the good times and bask in the nostalgia.

It's also the perfect chance to create good memories for the future by meeting old friends and loved ones from your family. It's the perfect excuse for a grand get-together.

Memory for Australians involves our broader national identity (memory shapes Australia's shared history), often debated through national museums and educational curricula, reflecting its multicultural past, diverse family histories, and personal cognitive health.

Given how much we seem to forget on a daily basis, it may seem strange but it’s completely true that our brains have an essentially unlimited ‘storage capacity’ for learning. A large part of the reason we seem to forget so much may well be that, whilst our long term memory is virtually limitless, our short term, or ‘working’ memory has a much, much smaller capacity.

It’s easy to think of the brain as a ‘magical box’ where your thoughts, memories and emotions are kept, but when it comes down to it, the brain is a part of your body just like the heart and your muscles. As such, ‘exercising’ your brain in specific ways – whether that’s learning a new skill such as a musical instrument or a new language or simply learning new things from a book – produces physical changes in its structure.

Memory is a continually unfolding process. Initial details of an experience take shape in memory; the brain’s representation of that information then changes over time. With subsequent reactivations, the memory grows stronger or fainter and takes on different characteristics. Memories reflect real-world experience, but with varying levels of fidelity to that original experience.

The degree to which the memories we form are accurate or easily recalled depends on a variety of factors, from the psychological conditions in which information is first translated into memory to the way we seek - or are unwittingly prompted - to conjure details from the past.

Memories of “firsts” - a first kiss, first love, first heartbreak: each feel permanent. But why do we remember some moments yet forget others? Most memories begin from a sensory experience yet nearly all memory can be categorized as either explicit or implicit, meaning conscious or unconscious. Different types of memories are stored within multiple structures of the brain. Our individual use of recall varies from person to person and the memory type might more easily manifest depending on the “thought trigger.”

Memory loss (or forgetting things) can be affected by age. Our teenage memory issues often stem from a developing brain (especially the prefrontal cortex for focus/planning), hormonal surges, and lifestyle factors like lack of sleep, stress, multitasking, and poor nutrition, which all disrupt memory formation; also, brain pruning and emotional overstimulation play big roles, making forgetfulness common. On the other hand, memory loss as we age might be the simple result of natural ageing or move into the more serious areas of dementia and Alzheimer’s which then requires medical diagnosis.

Our memory might feel also bad as an adult due to common factors like stress, poor sleep, anxiety, and certain medications, which create 'brain fog' or distraction, or it could stem from manageable issues like vitamin deficiencies, thyroid problems, or lifestyle factors. While some age-related decline is normal, persistent or worsening memory issues, especially with confusion or inability to perform daily tasks, should prompt a doctor's visit to rule out underlying medical conditions like dementia or infections.

Our precious normal/good memories are cherished, positive recollections from the past that boost happiness, self-esteem, and resilience by activating brain regions associated with reward and emotion regulation, acting as a buffer against stress and negative feelings. They aren't just passive recollections; intentionally savouring them strengthens their impact, making them a valuable resource for well-being, identity, and motivation, often created by being present and sharing in joyful experiences with loved ones.

"Remembering when" with others can instantly make you happier.

Recalling happy memories is a powerful way to interrupt negative thoughts.

A bedtime practice of remembering joyful experiences that have enriched your life can boost life satisfaction.

The health benefits of revisiting positive memories extend far beyond temporary jolts of happiness. Studies have shown that intentionally recalling happy experiences can help to disrupt negative thought patterns, alleviate anxiety, and even lower cortisol levels. This practice has been particularly effective in young people who are at risk of depression due to stress, as it promotes a more positive self-image.

Here’s the takeaway - we can savour life twice: once in the moment and again by recalling the memory. We routinely make a choice to either focus on positive thoughts that evoke pleasant emotions or to focus on negative thoughts that prompt negative emotions. The choice we make can have a profound impact on our overall happiness and even on our ability to bounce back from life's inevitable setbacks and disappointments.

We each need to put our memories to work, regularly! We need to delve inside our own memories often and reach for them whenever we want to infuse our lives with greater joy.

As James Bond once said: “You only live twice” – well, at least that’s what I think he said, if my memory hasn’t failed me!



Fun Facts about Good Memory:

1. The human brain has a nearly limitless storage capacity (albeit forgetting things might happen because the brain actively clears out old connections to make room for new memories).
2. Smell is a powerful memory trigger - scents bypass the thalamus, going directly to the olfactory bulb, which is closely linked to memory-making parts of the brain.
3. Memories aren’t always accurate – when you recall a memory, it can be slightly altered, creating new or exaggerated versions, not always a perfect playback.
4. Déjà Vu: This eerie feeling of having experienced something before is called déjà vu. Scientists believe it happens when the brain mistakenly signals that a new experience is familiar.

“Someday, our memories will remind us that we lived life to the fullest. “

“We didn't realize it would be a memory when we did it.”

“You will not remember the mess; you will remember the smiles and giggles of time spent together.”

“The best part of memories is making them.”