Opinion
These posts are for editorial opinion about the coffee industry. Also, some posts are just for fun, be it an interesting YouTube video, a funny comic, or a travel experience I had.
The “Cost” of Luxury Coffees (and the Cost of Talking About Them)–1/23/08
Coasting on a solid roasting record, R. Miguel has launched a strange business model of selling invitation-only microlots. Is it smoke and mirrors, or a new direction for specialty coffee?
Starbucks Throws Ethiopia a Bone, Extracts Skeleton in Return–12/4/07
In return for trademark concessions that really aren’t, Starbucks gets unprecedented influence not only in the marketing of Ethiopian coffees, but Ethiopia’s fledgling tea industry as well.
Lessons in Inevitability: the McEspresso–11/25/07
McDonald’s has officially thrown its hat into the specialty coffee ring. What, me worry?
Fair Trade vs. Direct Trade, Pt. 3–Why Direct Trade?–10/20/07
Direct trade is a better solution than Fair Trade, as it accomplishes the same goals as Fair Trade by working with the free market and not against it–giving higher wages to more types of growers.
Fair Trade vs. Direct Trade, Pt. 2–Why Not Fair Trade?–10/18/07
Fair Trade, though well-intentioned, can’t accomplish what it has set out to do, due to its expensive administration and rigid structural requirements.
Starbucks Signs Ethiopian Licensing Agreement, Nothing Changes–10/11/07
Starbucks scores a PR coup while giving nothing away, and farmers don’t see an extra dime. Why are we celebrating again?
What Is the “Way of Coffee”?–10/10/07
More than just marketing-speak, the Way of Coffee concerns both the path from the farm to the cup, and the mindful attentiveness of cupping and tasting.
