COFFEE NEWS
20/04 / 2024 / 8:00 PM
Ethiopian coffee shipment has been largely affected by the Red Sea incidents.
The Red Sea incidents this year have caused significant disruptions to Ethiopia’s upcoming coffee production season, resulting in delays and uncertainty. Specific dates for the season’s start have not been determined, and even air transport has been heavily impacted, with extended waiting times of around 20 to 30 days. This situation poses challenges for the coffee industry, both domestically and globally. The timely and efficient transportation of Ethiopian coffee is crucial for meeting international demand. The delays affect the supply chain, coffee prices, and the livelihoods of coffee farmers. Ethiopian authorities are actively addressing the transportation issues and collaborating with international partners. Stakeholders are closely monitoring the situation and adapting their strategies. Resolving the transportation challenges and resuming the production season are vital for the industry’s recovery and to meet the global demand for Ethiopian coffee. Efforts are being made to mitigate the effects of the delays and ensure a smooth operation. The resilience of Ethiopia’s coffee community remains strong as they navigate these obstacles and strive to provide exceptional coffee to the world.
17/04 / 2024 / 8:00 PM
Sharon Healy, a former executive at Starbucks, has been appointed as the CEO of Sightglass Coffee
Sightglass Coffee, a US coffee roaster and café operator, has appointed Sharon Healy, a former Starbucks executive, as its new CEO. The appointment aims to drive the company’s growth in the next phase. Healy’s experience in creating new revenue streams and expanding market share with major food and beverage retailers was highlighted as valuable assets. Sightglass Coffee currently operates in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Healy previously worked at Starbucks for nine years and most recently held the position of Vice President of Retail and Wholesale Business Development at Urban Remedy, a California-based plant-based food manufacturer. The company’s founders, Jerad and Justin Morrison, have stepped down from their roles as part of the leadership transition. Healy expressed excitement about introducing the Sightglass brand to a wider audience and unlocking its full potential.
April / 2024 / 9:00 PM
Researchers Study Coffee’s Beginnings
A recent study reveals that Coffea arabica, known as arabica coffee, originated around 600,000 years ago through natural breeding of two other coffee species. Researchers used genetic information from coffee plants worldwide to construct a family tree for arabica coffee. Wild coffee plants likely originated in Ethiopia and were first roasted and brewed in Yemen. Arabica coffee now dominates 60 to 70 percent of the global coffee market, known for its smooth and sweet flavor. The study highlights the genetic changes that occurred in arabica plants over time and the challenges they face, such as susceptibility to coffee leaf rust. By understanding the plant’s past and present, researchers hope to protect and ensure the future of coffee crops.
February / 2024 / 8:00 PM
Singapore’s Prefer raises $2m to develop beanless coffee concept
Singaporean beanless coffee start-up Prefer, founded in 2022 by Jake Berber and Tan Ding Jie, has secured $2 million in seed funding. The company uses a fermentation technique to create beanless coffee products from upcycled soy pulp, leftover bread, and spent grain sourced from local businesses. Prefer currently distributes its ground product to B2B customers and plans to launch a ready-to-drink product in supermarkets in the second quarter of 2024. The funding will help build a new manufacturing facility and expand distribution in Southeast Asian markets, starting with the Philippines. The investment was led by Forge Ventures, with other investors including Pickup Coffee. Other start-ups like Voyage Foods, Minus, Atomo Coffee, and Northern Wonder have also received funding for beanless coffee products, showcasing growing interest in this industry.