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.
What went on in the world of coffee last week? Well, among other things:
Starbucks’ focus on convenience—mobile orders, drive-thru, delivery—is great for the customer. Or, it used to be. Workers say that a scheduling algorithm is understaffing stores, leading to longer wait times, stressed baristas, and unhappy customers.
As the EU’s deforestation legislation looms ever closer, some countries are more prepared than others. In Ethiopia, the number of farmers and complexities of the country’s coffee system makes geotagging and tracing every lot difficult, leading some buyers to look elsewhere. NGOs and technology companies are experimenting with ways to address traceability concerns along the coffee supply chain, while some Ethiopian cooperatives are experimenting with their own solutions.
Rudy Giuliani’s new coffee venture is already up against it. “America’s Mayor”, bankrupt and facing a $148 million judgement after losing a defamation lawsuit, recently launched a coffee brand in a totally-not-desperate attempt to raise some quick cash. Now, just a couple of weeks after launch, Giuliani’s creditors have subpoenaed the roasting company that supplies Rudy Coffee. Everything’s going great.
Read more on these stories and the rest of the week’s coffee news 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.
