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.
Here’s a quick summary of what went on in the news last week:
Oat milk is milk, for now—the FDA’s new draft guidelines still allow for alternative milks to be labeled as “milk”, much to the chagrin of dairy producers.
A labor board judge said that Starbucks violated its employees’ rights “hundreds of times” and displayed “egregious and widespread misconduct” in its dealings with organizing workers. Which sounds bad.
Coffee might soon officially be good for you, as the FDA seeks to update what can legally be labeled “healthy.” The National Coffee Association and American Heart Association both think coffee should be eligible.
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)
