Stories

Angela and Brit talk about Covoya and ofi's Cafe Delas Program, which seeks to build capacity for women coffee producers across Latin America. It highlights the unique aspects of the program, including networking, support, and real-life stories from women producers.

Mike writes about the history of Costa Rican coffee, exploring its early challenges, the pivotal role of shipping magnate William Le Lacheur, and the lasting legacy of Costa Rican coffee production. 

When the word Quaker came into use to describe under-roasted coffee beans it happened because their color resembled the color of clothing that many Quakers were wearing at the time. 

Take the quiz and see how much better can you do than Mark and Todd.

Each producer had their own reasons for seeking out the Café Delas program and all of them found the support they needed. 

“If a customer doesn’t leave with a good story,” he said, “we haven’t done our job.”

Once upon a time in specialty coffee, robusta was verboten, the enemy, bad bad bad. If robusta’s reputation hasn’t been exactly rehabilitated over the years, at least it’s no longer a dirty word.

A few excerpts from 25 years of coffee writing. It's almost unforgivably self-indulgent, I know, but I hope you'll forgive me anyway on my silver anniversary in coffee.

One green coffee trader, called to testify before the New York State Assembly in 1976, openly dismissed the questions he was asked as a "joke," saying the committee lacked a basic understanding of commodities markets.