Could Zimbabwean Coffee Once Again Be on Specialty Menus?
Zimbabwean coffee was once known for its high-quality, sweet, citric, chocolatey profile. But it’s been almost 20 years since it all but disappeared from the...
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March 20, 2023
How does the timing of capital affect coffee farmers?
As with any agricultural commodity, capital and access to finance are essential for coffee farmers. Moreover, access to capital becomes even more important when we consider that some producers have been facing financial challenges for many years. Coffee is a seasonal product, which means that it is harvested at a certain time every year. In turn, coffee producers are usually paid in a lump sum once a year when they… read more
As with any agricultural commodity, capital and access to finance are essential for coffee farmers. Moreover, access to capital becomes even more important when we consider that some producers have been facing financial challenges for many years. Coffee is a… read more
What a Coffee Producer Thinks When Harvest Begins
With the approach of the coffee harvest comes mixed feelings. Many producers, like my family, are excited to see the result of our year’s hard...
Beyond Manila: Drinking Specialty Coffee Across The Philippines
Imagine resting near the pool of a beautiful waterfall, enjoying a serene lagoon or lounging under the shade of palm trees on your favorite beach....
How Much Does Your Coffee Actually Cost to Produce?
Rural producers lifting themselves and their communities out of poverty through coffee production: it’s a romantic idea. And it’s easy to feel skeptical when we...
A Day in a Coffee Producer’s Life
For coffee farms across Central America, it’s their busiest time of the year right now. That’s right, it’s the harvest period. But what does a...
The Reality of Producing Specialty Coffee on Tiny Farms
Imagine owning a farm so small that you cannot receive practical help – even though, with the low profit margins and high costs of coffee...
From Tinto to Pasado: Coffee Brewing in Latin America
Drinking coffee, in Latin America, is not just about a quick caffeine fix. It is a rite that forms part of our identity. We teach...
The Entrepreneurs Helping to Cultivate Colombia’s Coffee Industry
A few days ago, I spoke to a group of rural entrepreneurs in Huila, Colombia, many of whom were smallholder coffee producers. As I stood...
A Roaster’s & Coffee Buyer’s Guide to Rwandan Beans
Rwanda: this small East African country should not be overlooked by roasters and coffee lovers. Known as the Land of a Thousand Hills, its production...
Specialty vs Commodity: How Yield, Quality, & Prices Interact
Coffee prices are complex, whether they’re specialty or commodity. Profit margins are even more so. Yield, quality, supply and demand, and harvest conditions all affect...
The Story Behind Costa Rica’s Disappearing Coffee Farms
People tell me that, once, my hometown was full of coffee fields. But today, there’s just one tree left standing near my house. In the...
What Does It Mean to Be a Roaster in a Producing Country?
Local roasters have the power to positively transform a producing country’s coffee industry, but it’s not easy. In my home, the Dominican Republic, coffee is...
What You Need to Know About Colombian Coffee Variety Cenicafé 1
The choice of coffee variety affects a coffee’s flavour, growing conditions, roast profile, and more – which makes the release of a new Colombian variety,...
Puerto Rico’s Coffee Industry: 6 Weeks On From Maria
It is now six weeks since Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, and even though the newspapers headlines have mostly moved on, the island will continue...
India’s Specialty Coffee Journey: From Chicory to The Chemex
You won’t just find chai in India. You’ll also find coffee – and good coffee, too. We’ve come a long way, from Robusta-chicory blends to...
A Roaster’s Guide to The Coffee-Producing Regions of Colombia
Few places are more well-known for their coffee than Colombia, the land of Juan Valdez. However, not all Colombian beans are the same. This is...