Coffee Q Grader Changes Cause Confusion and Consternation
It's the Coffee News Roundup: Week Ending April 25th
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Yes, Starbucks Engages in Coffeewashing. But Don’t Let Reactionaries Weaponise It.
For paid subscribers: I’ve written before about Starbucks’ myriad climate issues, but now conservative activist shareholders are trying to weaponise those failings in service of a climate denialist goal.
4 min read
After publishing last week’s (surprisingly controversial) article on the contradictions between sustainably-marketed coffee companies partnering with airlines, somebody sent me an article published by The Cool Down, which bills itself as a “climate-driven culture and lifestyle brand”.
The article in question is titled “Starbucks CEO faces major backlash after details of his work routine are revealed: 'Ill-conceived decision'”, and uses a press release and shareholder proposal from the National Center for Public Policy Research’s Free Enterprise Project as its basis.
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Coffee Conversations: The Joy of Blends with Tony Konecny of Yes Plz
For paid subscribers: The third wave veteran discusses his blending philosophy, why blends are still overlooked by many in the industry, and taking a culinary approach to coffee.
Conflating Your Personal Brand With Your Coffee Brand is a Risky Strategy
For paid subscribers: Recent stories show the dangers of building too much of a coffee company’s image around its founder’s personality. When things go wrong, it can blow back on the brand.
Who Will Fund the Future of Coffee?
For paid subscribers: some thoughts on the loss of USAID funding for coffee research, and the possibly misguided hope that corporations will step up.
Complete Breakdown
For paid subscribers: analysis of the latest breakdown in contract negotiations between Starbucks and its union.