Corporate coffee

Genetically-engineered coffee

by JulieCraves on December 26, 2006

Nestlè,, whose coffee brands include Nescafe and Taster’s Choice, has obtained a patent on a genetically modified coffee plant that will improve the solubility of instant coffee powder made from its beans.

Revised on January 8, 2022

Nasty old Brazilian coffee

by JulieCraves on December 19, 2006

My inability to completely connect the dots here is a testament to the lack of transparency of the big four mega coffee roasters and where they get their beans. Dot 1: Brazil, the world’s #2 coffee grower, has experienced drought…

Revised on November 28, 2020

Yuban ad campaign

by JulieCraves on October 12, 2006

Yuban coffee may carry the Rainforest Alliance seal, but only 30% of its beans are certified. Do you know where the other 70% come from? Or what kind of company you are supporting when you purchase this coffee?

Revised on July 19, 2022

A short article entitled “Quality of Vietnamese coffee poor” appeared recently on a Vietnam news site.

Revised on January 29, 2022

Who owns what?

by JulieCraves on February 20, 2006

There are many, many brands of coffee…but most are owned by only a few companies.

Revised on January 29, 2022

The Coffee Crisis

by JulieCraves on February 8, 2006

The “coffee crisis” inevitably comes up in any talk of the coffee industry, especially Fair Trade issues. Here’s a summary of what it’s all about. Prior to 1989, coffee prices were controlled by a cartel, much like OPEC for oil….

Revised on May 20, 2021

The problems with sun coffee

by JulieCraves on February 5, 2006

In order to increase the yield of coffee shrubs and individual farms, coffee farmers were encouraged to replace traditional shade grown coffee with sun cultivation. Over 2.5 million acres of forests in Central America were destroyed to make way for monocultures of sun grown coffee.

Revised on October 22, 2016