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.
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.
Farmworkers are essential actors in the coffee supply chain, but the industry has a long history of labor exploitation and poor working conditions. Costa Rica is trying to change that by establishing a new health insurance system and implementing injury protections for seasonal coffee pickers.
Costa Coffee is increasing barista wages by an average of 9% to keep pace with the United Kingdom’s living wage laws. This is the fifth time that Coca-Cola-owned Costa has raised wages for its staff since 2021.
A labor coalition called the Strategic Organizing Center estimates that Starbucks has spent at least $240 million on expenses related to delaying and discouraging union activity.
Wearing virtual reality headsets like the Apple Vision Pro can be nausea-inducing and dangerous (depending on the activity). However, according to a new study, VR headsets can also make going for a coffee more exciting.
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. (he/him)
Fionn Pooler
