For paid subscribers: Donald Trump’s latest arbitrary tariff threat, this time against Brazil, has once again enveloped the coffee industry in chaos and uncertainty. When will it end?
The United States has long been at the centre of the global coffee industry. But as policies shift under the Trump administration, that dominance is under threat.
Lots happening in this Roundup, so let’s get going:
Coffee prices will continue increasing, according to Giuseppe Lavazza, chair of Lavazza Group. Arabica futures hit a two-year high in July, and robusta beans remain at record levels due to supply shortages—Lavazza thinks this is going to “force” companies to raise their prices.
A university in China is offering a coffee science and engineering undergraduate degree. The university, Yunnan Agricultural University in China’s main coffee-growing region, adds to a number of institutions that are viewing coffee as a subject of study rather than merely fuel for students.
Brave/foolhardy Australian who want to try Doritos’ new coffee-flavoured tortilla chips can do so by entering an Instagram competition. But should they?
Coffee is basically the liquid version of a Mediterranean diet. So says one health researcher, anyway. Sample quote: “The Mediterranean diet is, primarily, a plant-based diet, and coffee is a plant-based drink.” Thanks for clearing that up, professor.
Read the full Roundup, including more unionizing news and some coffeewashing by Tetra Pak, over at Fresh Cup Magazine:
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.
