Demand for coffee is growing, and climate change threatens supply—yet consumers don’t want to pay more. In an intensified and unequal industry, however, someone always pays.
For paid subscribers: One of Howard Schultz’ final acts as Starbucks CEO was inflicting upon us a line of olive oil-infused coffee drinks. He was so confident the Oleato would change the world. It didn’t.
It’s been a busy week in the world of coffee (for a change). Here’s what’s going on:
Vietnamese coffee farmers seek to renegotiate their contracts after reduced production and erratic weather worldwide pushed the price of robusta to three-decade highs.
What could be better than a late-night latte? Starbucks is trialling overnight deliveries in Philadelphia in collaboration with an on-demand delivery company.
Who wants a hot cup of spite and an extra-dry scone? Latte Larry’s coffee shop from Curb Your Enthusiasm briefly became reality in Los Angeles as HBO teamed up with Menotti’s Coffee to celebrate the final series of the legendary show.
And Starbucks won’t let unionized baristas compete in its North American Hunger Games barista championship. “It’s just a fun part of the job that I enjoy,” one barista said. “They’re just trying to make my job less fun.”
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)
