So coffee isn’t the first thing I think of when discussing the Birds and Bees…? But here me out! Birds help control pests that eat/ruin the coffee fruit and Bees help to pollinate the coffee plants! Plus, there’s more! From Phys.org: A recent study researched how birds helped control pests and how bees helped pollinate coffee farms. The research showed how working with wildlife can help farmers make more money. But it is just one example of the benefits nature gives us that we take for granted. Nature purifies the water we drink and the air we breathe, it helps […]
What Is Causing Coffee To Be More Expensive?
Have you noticed that you are paying more for your favorite beverage, coffee? We’ll you are correct. An average cup at your local coffee shop averages about $4.50. Five years ago it was around $3.85. That is about a 17% increase, compared to an overall inflation rate of 10%. What is causing this sharp increase? There are a lot of issues factoring into this. The coffee industry runs on very thin margins and is a very competitive business. COVID lockdowns have disrupted the shipping of beans, which has adversely affected the supply of coffee worldwide. Another major disruptor of the […]
Newly Rediscovered Coffee Species Could Save The Industry From Climate Change!
Like so many other life forms, the world of coffee is threatened by the increasing temperatures and irregular rain patterns that are a result of climate change. The varieties that produce the best tasting coffee have had difficulty adapting to the threat but a species in West Africa can grow in harsher conditions and tastes like the highly quality Arabica bean. This species is called Stenophylla. It is a rare wild plant that is heat and drought tolerant as well. It comes at the right time as scientists estimate that about 50% of areas where coffee currently is cultivated will […]
Where Does Coffee Come From?
Great question! And one that has been speculated for generations! “Where did coffee originate?” Legend has it that an Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi saw some of his goats eating the cherries of the coffee plant and noticed that they were very hyper and energetic. He tried the berry for himself and gave him the same experience. He felt energized and jittery. Word spread of this and led to coffee becoming one of the most consumed drinks around the globe! There are other origin stories but I like this one the best! So, let’s talk about coffee beans. They are […]