Coffee Production
Coffee is a complicated and fascinating plant, and these articles look at how it's grown and the people who grow it.
The Purpose of the Coffee Industry Is What It Does
Coffee brands love to tout their ethics and human rights policies, yet the supply chain is still built on poverty. At some point, we have to judge the industry not by what it says but by its actions.
From South to North: Farmer-Owned Coffee Companies Are Challenging the Industry's Power Structures
Companies in the Global North capture most of the profits generated along the coffee supply chain. But farmer-owned coffee roasters offer a more equitable model—and a path forward for the industry.
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.
The Moral Complexities of Civet Coffee
Coffee collected from the droppings of civets is sought after by the rich and deplored by animal welfare advocates. Caught in the middle are the farmers who produce it.
Clooney's Coffeewashing
Nespresso leans heavily on its sophisticated spokesperson, but George Clooney’s multi-million-dollar role does more than just sell frothy coffees.
'Specialty Coffee Should be Enjoyed by Those Who Grow It': The Farmer's Daughter Joining Kenya's Coffee-drinking Revolution
Although it produces some of the world's best coffee, domestic consumption in Kenya remains low. A new generation of coffee professionals wants to change that.
Can the Coffee Change Fund Save Coffee?
A coffee producer with a simple and affordable redistribution plan struggles to find industry backing.
The Accidental Coffee Farmer
When respected coffee farmer Andres Magaña Ortiz was deported from Hawaii after 30 years, his daughter Victoria had no choice but to take over.
'We Producers Are At The Weather’s Mercy': Coffee Farmers Talk Climate Change
We're told that the future of coffee is threatened by the climate crisis. But for many farmers that threat is already here.
Coffee Farms as Carbon Sinks
Rather than contributing to global heating, as is often claimed, some coffee farms might be a solution.
Trial and Error: Going Organic in Guatemala
How Ana Vizcaino embraced the weeds and transformed Finca Esperanza from a conventional coffee farm to an organic and bird-friendly haven.