Coffee News Roundup: Week Ending March 31st

A very busy week, news-wise. Here’s what happened:

• Howard Schultz testified before Congress, insisted that Starbucks hadn’t broken the law despite being found guilty numerous times by federal judges, claimed that he earned his billions of dollars (not possible), and reiterated that Starbucks was so good and kind that its workers don’t need a union
• Fairtrade International announced that it would be raising the minimum price paid for certified arabica and robusta coffee (a belated but important move)
• More good news on the union front, and coffee drinkers could be less likely to develop multiple sclerosis

Read the whole roundup over at Fresh Cup Magazine:

(Ashley at Boss Barista did a great roundup of the Howard Schultz hearings in case you didn’t have time to watch all three hours.)

If you missed it, you can read my latest article/rant here:

A Short Introduction to Coffeewashing

Coffee companies want you to buy their products, obviously. To do this, they need you to feel good about what you’re buying, and ideally to feel good about the company itself. Sure they could just stick their coffee on the grocery store shelf alongside all the other brands, but how are they going to stand out?

The Pourover

Until next week, it’s goodbye from Merlin: