For paid subscribers: What Starbucks’ CEO Brian Niccol’s meeting with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. says about the company’s embrace of coffee’s wellness trend—and the trend’s darker side.
First we had coffee fingerprinting, now we’re getting coffee DNA mapping. Italian scientists have used next-generation technology to discover more about arabica coffee’s genetic complexity—and lack of diversity.
Dunkin’ is being sued for discrimination against the lactose-intolerant, specifically around its non-dairy milk surcharges. The lawsuit says that plaintiffs have been charged between 50 cents and $2.15 extra by Dunkin’ for nondairy milk alternatives, which it says is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Among other unionizing news, baristas at Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea in my old home of Ann Arbor, Michigan held their union election last week. We don’t yet know the result, but since announcing their campaign in December they’ve had to deal with an owner who told the Michigan Advance that “while she understands the attraction to a union conceptually, she doesn’t believe one is necessary at her stores.” 🤨
I’ll be back on Friday with a new article, but until then it’s goodbye from Merlin, who’s upset about something (probably that I didn’t have any treats):
I'm the creator and writer of The Pourover. Based in Scotland, I have over a decade of experience in the specialty coffee industry as a barista, roaster, and writer. Ask me about coffeewashing.
