For paid subscribers: Coffee is increasingly used to burnish the United Arab Emirates’ international image. Now it is being supercharged by merging with the popularity of the Dubai chocolate trend.
The coffee scene in Dubai is thriving, and the city is set to welcome the Specialty Coffee Association’s World of Coffee event next month. But underneath the glitzy facade and marketing buzz lies a moral quagmire.
Colombia, Brazil, and Kenya are all predicting lower coffee production because of the climate crisis. Meanwhile at the other end of the supply chain, coffee companies are “eyeing” rapid expansion and growth. No disconnect there at all.
Plus, somewhat connectedly, Nestlé is putting (a portion of) its money where its mouth is by announcing a $1 billion investment in sustainability over the next eight years. This is the same company that brought in $25 billion from coffee in 2021 alone, but hey it’s a start.
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. (he/him)
