Coffee Features
A collection of all in-depth coffee features on The Pourover.
Corporate Philanthropy Will Not Save the Coffee Industry
Coffee companies love to fund projects that look good in press releases and impact reports. However, corporate philanthropy is mostly a shield to deflect criticism, protect power, and avoid regulation.
Starbucks and the Myth of the Third Place
Starbucks wants to be known as a community gathering space, even after morphing into the ultimate convenience-focused coffee chain. But was it ever truly a third place in the first place?
Please Just Let Millennials Enjoy Our Coffee
That latte you just bought is the reason you won’t be able to retire, according to the financial gurus. But why has coffee become such a potent symbol of Millennial misspending in the first place?
The Pesticides Underpinning Coffee’s Healthy Image
Coffee is widely considered to be healthy—for the drinker, at least. For those who handle and spray the pesticides that fight pests and boost production, however, it can be anything but.
Where Are All the British Coffee Unions?
While a wave of coffee unionising washes over the United States, across the pond there’s barely a ripple. Why is that?
Equity Crowdfunding and the Democratisation of Coffee Investing
While many specialty coffee companies turn to venture capital to fuel their growth, others are going in the opposite direction: utilising equity crowdfunding to share ownership with their communities.
How Corporations and Executives Captured the Coffee Industry’s Profits
The global coffee industry is worth hundreds of billions of dollars, and yet many stakeholders struggle to make ends meet. As corporate revenues climb, it’s worth examining where those profits go.
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Disposable Coffee Cups?
Single-use coffee cups are choking the planet. From discounts to levies to bans, solutions are out there—but changing consumer behaviour is the bigger challenge.
Meme Accounts Are the Coffee Industry's Conscience
While it can often seem immune from criticism, there is one place where the coffee industry is held to account: Instagram meme pages.
Could a Private-Equity-Backed 'Collective' Offer a Template for Specialty Coffee’s Future?
FairWave Specialty Coffee Collective is acquiring coffee brands across the Midwest, promising a localised approach to growth. Is this a model for the industry—or just another consolidation strategy?
Coffee's Tech Dystopia
Technology is deeply embedded in the coffee industry, from loyalty apps to blockchain traceability platforms. But is that a good thing?
‘Actually Pretty Simple’: The Wild World of DIY Coffee Roasters
Coffee roasters are expensive and slightly intimidating, but they are also fundamentally simple machines. As startup costs increase, no wonder people are building their own.