Fifty percent of college students drink caffeine daily, and coffee leads as the overall preferred drink on college campuses. CAT utilized this statistic and created an event to celebrate the beverage last week.

National Coffee Day was celebrated on Sept. 29, and the Villanova Campus Activity Team (CAT) organized free Dunkin’ Donuts iced coffee at the Oreo last Wednesday from 12:30-2:30 p.m.

CAT members distributed bottled iced coffee, with flavors including the new Girl Scout line’s coconut caramel coffee, as well as Coca-Cola’s new line of coffee. With midterms approaching and caffeine consumption on campus peaking, students were eager to accept free coffee.

Jenna Dugan tried the coconut caramel flavor and described it as “sweet, caramelly and definitely tasting like the Girl Scout cookie flavor.” 

These coffee varieties are part of Coca-Cola and Dunkin’s collaborative line of “Dunkin’ Anytime” bottled beverages that can be purchased in retail stores. If you missed it, The Girl Scout line also currently sells S’mores and Thin Mint flavors and can be found at Target.

Coca-Cola coffee infuses the taste of Coke with Brazilian coffee and comes in a variety of flavors such as vanilla and caramel. However, this unorthodox flavor pairing did not appeal to all, as some students were unsure of the new line of Coca-Cola coffees. Gabby Menza explained that, “Coke and coffee are two very different beverages, and the carbonation doesn’t sound good to me; I usually prefer my coffee without anything in it.”

International Coffee Day was also celebrated this week on Oct. 1. Both holidays came into being to celebrate the love for a favorite caffeinated beverage, as well as the millions of coffee growers around the world. International Coffee Day began in Japan in the 1980s and has become an exciting day for coffee lovers. 

Many other establishments offered free or discounted coffee for National Coffee Day. Starbucks is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and made the day extra special. Customers could bring in a reusable cup of up to 20 ounces and receive a free cup of Pike Roast coffee. At Dunkin’ locations, a free iced or hot coffee was presented with any purchase, and Krispy Kreme offered a free coffee and donut of the customers’ choice. 

Several convenience stores, such as Wawa or 7/11, also offered coffee deals with a purchase, and Wawa gave away free coffee to educators all week long as part of its “Cheers to the Classroom” initiative. Panera Bread gave free coffee to parents on Wednesday, and customers that registered for their coffee subscription starting Oct. 1 get free coffee through the end of the year.