Why Do So Many Celebrities Claim To Have Never Tried Coffee?
For paid subscribers: What do Naomi Campbell, Tom Brady, Sydney Sweeney, and Ice-T have in common?
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Deeply researched articles exploring all the ways coffee connects to politics, history, and culture—delivered direct to your inbox
The Best of The Pourover 2025
Five favourite pieces from the past 12 months, plus some general thoughts about the newsletter.
How To Save Coffee: Lessons From the Degrowth Movement
Coffee is increasingly at risk from the climate crisis, and corporate-driven incremental change won’t save it. The theory of degrowth offers hope for a better world and a fairer coffee industry.
The Moral Cost of Dubai’s Coffee Boom
The coffee scene in Dubai is thriving, and the city is set to welcome the Specialty Coffee Association’s World of Coffee event next month. But underneath the glitzy facade and marketing buzz lies a moral quagmire.
Latest
Why Do So Many Celebrities Claim To Have Never Tried Coffee?
For paid subscribers: What do Naomi Campbell, Tom Brady, Sydney Sweeney, and Ice-T have in common?
Why Might Luckin Want To Buy Blue Bottle Coffee?
For paid subscribers: Nestlé is exploring a sale of Blue Bottle, and Luckin is reportedly interested. With such different approaches to coffee, however, it’s worth asking the question: why?
High Prices Are Changing Our Coffee-Drinking Habits
It's the Coffee News Roundup: Week Ending December 19th
Starbucks vs Local Cafe Doesn’t Always End How You Might Think
It's the Coffee News Roundup: Week Ending December 12th
Dubai’s Chocolate-Based Propaganda Push
For paid subscribers: Coffee is increasingly used to burnish the United Arab Emirates’ international image. Now it is being supercharged by merging with the popularity of the Dubai chocolate trend.
Big If True: Nestle Considering Blue Bottle Coffee Sale
It's the Coffee News Roundup: Week Ending December 5th
Coffee and Technology
In the Age of Coffee Automation, What Happens to Baristas?
Coffee companies are going all in on automation. We’re told that it improves efficiency, cuts costs, and yields a better product. But what does it mean for the baristas whose labour these automations displace?
The Coffee Industry Will Regret Embracing Generative AI
Coffee professionals and brands are increasingly adopting generative AI. But should an industry that prides itself on authenticity and sustainability really be embracing such a destructive tool?
Coffee's Tech Dystopia
Technology is deeply embedded in the coffee industry, from loyalty apps to blockchain traceability platforms. But is that a good thing?
The Graveyard of Coffee Kickstarters
There are a lot of coffee gadgets on Kickstarter. Some are successful, others less so. This is the story of the latter.
Corporate vs Specialty Coffee
Forget Starbucks—Yemeni Coffeehouses Are the Real Third Places
While Starbucks tries to return to its coffeehouse roots, a new wave of cafes spreading across the United States show how to really build a welcoming third place.
We’re All Trying To Find the Coffee Company Who Did This
Big brands love to bemoan the plight of coffee farmers without acknowledging their role in creating that plight.
Embrace, Extend, Extinguish … Espresso?
How a Microsoft business strategy from the ’90s explains Starbucks’ new cortado—and the general flattening of modern coffee culture.
Corporate Philanthropy Will Not Save the Coffee Industry
Coffee companies love to fund projects that look good in press releases and impact reports. However, corporate philanthropy is mostly a shield to deflect criticism, protect power, and avoid regulation.
Coffee and Climate
Regenerative Agriculture: Climate Solution or Yet More Coffeewashing?
As the climate crisis intensifies, regenerative agriculture could play a key role in sustaining and strengthening the global coffee industry. That is, if it can escape becoming just another corporate sustainability buzzword.
2024 Was a Warning
The past year of climate shocks and surging coffee prices has felt portentous. Without significant investment and industry cooperation, coffee’s future seems increasingly uncertain.
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Disposable Coffee Cups?
Single-use coffee cups are choking the planet. From discounts to levies to bans, solutions are out there—but changing consumer behaviour is the bigger challenge.
Coffee, Sustainability, and Shifting Perceptions
As the climate crisis comes for coffee, new ideas are needed. But some solutions are already out there—we just need to recognize and embrace them.
Coffee Unions and Labour
In the Age of Coffee Automation, What Happens to Baristas?
Coffee companies are going all in on automation. We’re told that it improves efficiency, cuts costs, and yields a better product. But what does it mean for the baristas whose labour these automations displace?
The Next Step in the Coffee Union Wave? Building Global Solidarity
Workers at Blue Bottle Coffee, acquired by Nestlé in 2017, have unionised. Now, they’re building international solidarity with the conglomerate’s union in Colombia.
Starbucks Workers in Chile Show that Winning a Union Contract Is Possible
In the U.S., Starbucks workers continue to fight for a union contract after years of roadblocks and retaliation. The struggle seems endless—but organisers in Chile offer a vision of what can be achieved.
There Is No Such Thing as an 'Unskilled’ Coffee Job
Baristas and other hourly coffee workers are undervalued and underpaid—but they are far from unskilled, despite what the pernicious stereotypes suggest.
Interviews
Coffee Conversations: Biggby's Bob Fish on Challenging Corporate Coffee’s Status Quo
The co-founder of the chain Biggby Coffee talks about building a successful company with hundreds of franchised locations, only to switch to a new way of doing business—one that prioritises more than just growth and profit.
Coffee Conversations: Barista Education with Rachel Apple
The consultant and educator discusses her coffee background, how she became an educator, and the upcoming Level Up event for baristas.
Coffee Conversations: Stuart Freedman on Photographing the Indian Coffee House
The photojournalist and author discusses his experiences capturing the essence of India’s oldest and largest coffee chain, as well as its legacy and importance as a resistance to brands like Starbucks.
Coffee Conversations: The Joy of Blends with Tony Konecny of Yes Plz
The third wave veteran discusses his blending philosophy, why blends are still overlooked by many in the industry, and taking a culinary approach to coffee.