Caffeine lovers around the world are celebrating today, as September 29 marks National Coffee Day. Businesses that serve coffee are celebrating today by offering caffeinated deals from coast to coast. The origins of National Coffee Day are murky at best, with no actual mention of N.C.D. on the internet until 2005.

Several years later, coffee shops and various restaurants began celebrating National Coffee Day by handing out free cups of coffee and providing discounts to their customers. Last year, the national media picked up the event, helping make this year’s 2011 National Coffee Day the most publicized event to date.

The National Coffee Association says that an Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi was the first person to realize the potential of the coffee bean. While tending to his goats, Kaldi noticed that after his goats “ate berries from a certain tree” they became so energetic that they didn’t want to sleep at all during the night. Coffee and caffeinated beverages have since become a staple of American culture and are commonly found in both the home and workplace.

Recent studies have shown that 50% of Americans over the age of 18 consume some form of coffee each day, with the average American coffee drinker drinking at least 3.1 cups of coffee each day. Harvard University researchers recently conducted a study and found that women who consume two to three cups of coffee each day posses a 15% lower risk of suffering from depression than non-coffee drinkers. So with that information in hand, here are some coffee deals being offered around San Diego County.

All 7-Eleven locations are giving away medium cups of hot coffee for between the hours of 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts is giving away 12-ounce cups of their new Krispy Kreme Signature House Blend all day long.4180 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.

The Chic-Fil-A located on Sports Arena Blvd. is offering customers a complimentary cup of coffee with any purchase until 10 p.m. 3570 Sports Arena Blvd.

Starbucks has issued a statement saying they will not be handing out free coffee on September 29, 2011.