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?
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.
Another week of coffee news coming at your inbox, including:
Cxffeeblack is beginning the second phase of its ambitious Barista Exchange Program: after taking a group of U.S. baristas to Africa in 2023 to learn about coffee’s history and visit coffee farms during harvest, the Memphis-based coffee and lifestyle company is now bringing a group of African baristas stateside to learn from and experience U.S. coffee culture.
Should you tip at the coffee shop? It’s been a point of discussion for several years, and some Brooklyn cafes have now taken the decision out of customers’ hands—removing the option to tip from their checkout process entirely.
Workers at Quills Coffee in Louisville, Kentucky, have unionised—but while many unions face long and acrimonious fights for recognition, the Quills CEO voluntarily recognised the union straight away. See how easy that was?
Read more on all these stories—plus some potentially good coffee health news—over at Fresh Cup Magazine:
I'm a coffee writer and creator of The Pourover. Based in Scotland, I have over a decade of experience in the specialty coffee industry. Ask me about coffeewashing. It's pronounced Fin (he/him)
