Today, we’re celebrating the king of beverages, coffee. Learn about the various types of coffee, their origins, Fair trade practices, Single-origin coffees, and Kopi luwak. We’ll also look at what to look for in a coffee shop. And of course, you’ll learn more about the newest beverage on the scene: Kopi luwak. Today, we’re celebrating the coffee lovers around the world!
Origins of coffee
The origins of coffee are a bit hazy, but one story suggests that it came from Africa and spread to Europe and Asia. One such story is that of Kaldi and his goats. He observed that his goats were not sleeping after eating the red berries, so he ate some to find out what they were doing. The goats seemed to have a stimulating effect, so he took the red berries home and shared them with his fellow monks.
The origin of coffee isn’t entirely clear, but the history of the coffee plant stretches back at least 14 centuries. It has been smuggled out of monarchies and stolen from royalty. Coffee has changed entire countries. Today, coffee is the world’s second most-traded commodity. While coffee originated in Ethiopia, the coffee plant spread around the globe. As a result, different countries have their own origin myths.
Fair trade
Fair trade organizations promote good working conditions, fair wages and community development in developing countries. Because most coffee grown in the developing world is cultivated on small farms, fair trade practices are virtually nonexistent. Without an advocate or fair trade organization, these farmers do not have the power or voice to make good coffee for consumers. In order to meet these standards, coffee producers must be committed to these values. Fair trade helps ensure a higher quality product at a lower price.
There are different standards for the production of Fair Trade products, and different organizations have different criteria for certification. Generally, coffee is certified Fair Trade only if it comes from small, family-owned farms without hired labor. Also, producers must be members of democratic co-operatives, rather than multinational companies. Fair Trade USA requires producers to follow these standards, which ensure that the product is handled and labeled fairly in its consuming country.
Single-origin coffees
Today’s consumer is increasingly interested in single-origin coffees. Direct trade has made it easier for coffee roasters to connect directly with the farmers. Buying direct from the farmers means a better price for the beans and greater transparency for the consumer. However, not every consumer is interested in the direct trade process. Some consumers are simply curious to learn more about what the coffee is made from. If you’re interested in single-origin coffee, here are some of the benefits.
The most significant advantage of buying a single-origin coffee is the transparency it provides. It provides consumers with an opportunity to learn more about its origin and the unique production methods used. Single-origin coffee producers are guardians of a culture or tradition and are dedicated to brewing the highest quality coffee. Micro-lot coffee producers share their unique terroir with the world. The taste is unique and distinct, so this coffee requires some adjustment to get used to.
Kopi luwak
When you purchase Kopi luwak for today coffee, you are getting a coffee that was once considered wild. Wild Kopi Luwak has been partially fermented by the digestive enzymes of wild civets. This process changes the beans’ chemical composition. Because the civets select the finest cherries for their diet, they never harvest or process inferior coffee beans. The resulting coffee has an incredibly rich and aromatic taste.
The story behind Kopi luwak for today’s coffee started in Indonesia during Dutch colonial rule. Farmers in Indonesia were forbidden to harvest coffee for their own use, so they were forced to scavenge for the crop. However, they discovered that civets prefer coffee cherries and intact beans. Hence, they started brewing coffee beans instead of harvesting them by hand. The resulting coffee was far superior to the monotonous method of coffee harvesting.
Price of coffee
Coffee prices are at an all-time high today, and the reasons for the increase are complex. Several factors affect the price of coffee, from weather in South America to slower-than-expected growth in demand. During the last year, prices have climbed by about 80% for green Arabica, while prices for Robusta have risen by about 30%. The increase in Robusta coffee prices means that prices for green Arabica will likely continue to climb in the months ahead. Until the market experiences a major correction, prices will continue to rise.
Prices for coffee in Asia vary widely. In Gia Lai, for example, the price of coffee is 39,600 VND/kg. Prices in Pleiku, La Grai, and Kon Tum are more stable, but the price of coffee in Gia Lai remains over 1,300 VND/kg. Similarly, prices in Vietnam’s Kon Tum province were lower than average last week. However, prices in Gia Lai have remained stable, averaging around 1,300 VND/kg in the past week.
Trends in the market
Starbucks should aggressively expand its number of stores to compete with global giants such as McDonald’s and Starbucks. While its low-cost advantage helps it attract more customers, consumers prefer the cozy environment of a Starbucks store. While consumers prefer Starbucks’ affordable price tag, many others have the same view: aggressive expansion is necessary to sustain and even grow its share of the coffee market. This article will discuss some of the major trends impacting the coffee industry in recent years.
Millennials approach coffee in a more holistic manner. They travel to coffee growing regions to experience the culture behind the beverage. Much like the farm-to-table movement in meat and produce, millennials seek out unique coffee experiences at artisan cafes around the world. They also want to learn more about the process of coffee production. Coffee tourism is the next big thing in coffee consumption, and is mirrored in the farm-to-table movement.