The pressure and business of the daily work can easily blind us to the impact that we have on the greater reality of the “Industry”. We often think of the industry as existing outside our own shops but the reality is that our we are the industry and ever decision we make as individual professionals and cafes cultivate wha the …
Sustainability Series #4 : Consumer
Consumers. What we assume to be the end of the value chain in coffee, may in fact be the the beginning. In reality, as we will learn today, coffee is more a circle than a straight line, and in many ways it begins and ends with the consumer. How we serve, market to, and communicate with the consumer, literally shapes …
Sustainability Series #3 : The Cafe
As we have explored all that has gone into the product of coffee and the many ways that sustainability can be achieved in farming, Importing, and Roasting. Now we come to the place where coffee’s potentially is ultimately on display. The cafe. Next to the farm, the cafe has been the focus of much of our sustainability efforts, and with …
Sustainability Series #2 : Importing & Roasting
Sustainability is a collaborative effort that relies on solid networks, relationships, and communication. This is mainly the responsibility of importers and roasters whose job it is to provide connection, accurate representation, and to realize the potential of the now harvested coffee and the farmers who grow it. While providing these platforms to those they serve, importers and roasters must also …
Sustainability Series #1 : The Farm
Welcome to the Sustainability Series from Biocaf and Keys to the Shop! To kick off this series we will be exploring sustainability where all the potential of a coffee and the foundation of our industry is concentrated. The farm. How we define and understand sustainability here creates a ripple effect that impacts every action we take along the value chain. …
304 : Inside the Coffee Data Trends Breakout Report w/ Katie Von Der Lieth of the SCA
How do we gauge the markets our coffee shops serve? On top of being engaged in our own local ecosystems we must also pay attention to large scale trends as they influence the perception and habits of our customers. The SCA and NCA have recently teamed up to produce a robust, first of its kind report called, “The National Coffee …
294 : At Origin Roasting Revolution w/ Luis Fernando, founder of Amor Perfecto!
When we think about coffee roasting we generally assume that roasting happens once green coffee leaves its county of origin taking much of the coffee’s value along with it. But there is a growing movement of entrepreneurs who are keeping their coffee’s value right at home by roasting at origin and shipping direct to shops and consumers. 25 years ago …
290 : Making Connections in Central Africa w/ Keith White Jr of Paraiso Trading!
Today we get to explore the ever growing Central African coffee farming industry with some one who’s company is creating inroads, resources, and opportunities to improve farmers lives and the global demand for their product. Keith White Jr. is the founder of Paraiso Trading. Paraiso Trading was created to connect Central African Farmers and their high quality organic produce directly to …
288 : The Truth behind Cheap Coffee w/ Karl Weinhold
The problem of cheap coffee keeps producers trapped in cycles of poverty and keeps the power in the hands of those least impacted by what is at best a global crisis. What has led to this current state of the industry and how can we be informed and equipped to make changes with the power we each posses to create …
281 : The Vietnamese Coffee Revolution w/ Sahra Nguyen of Nguyen Coffee Supply
“Vietnam is the future of specialty coffee!” Today we are going to unpack this statement and discuss how the Vietnamese coffee movement is creating opportunity for a marginalized coffee variety and people with our very special guest, Sahra Nguyen! Sahra Nguyen is the founder & CEO of Nguyen Coffee Supply the first-ever specialty Vietnamese coffee company importing and roasting in …
