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.
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.
Happy Monday! Let’s take a look at the week’s coffee news:
Indonesia’s Mikael Jasin is the 2024 World Barista Champion! It’s the third time in four years that the WBC winner has come from a producing country. (I recently wrote about the costs of barista competitions, if you missed it.)
Bats are surprisingly important to agriculture, and coffee is no exception. For example, bats are a natural pesticide—they can eat up to half their bodyweight in insects every night! Unfortunately deforestation and climate change are putting pressure on bat populations worldwide, but shaded coffee plantations can double as refuges for these cute coffee helpers.
Speaking of climate change, much of Asia is suffering from an historic heatwave—in addition to all the other impacts, the record high temperatures and lack of rain are affecting coffee farmers in Vietnam and India.
Workers at Coffee By Design in Portland, Maine, ratified their union contract after six months of negotiations. The contract includes pay rises and a labor-management committee. “It’s been an amazing feat to watch the baristas of Coffee By Design come together with teamwork, patience, dedication and solidarity,” said barista and shift lead Jillian Mercier.
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.
