Our recurring round-up of the latest specialty-coffee industry news.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
Featured image by Joshua Earle
Coffee Tariffs on Brazil Have Been Lifted—But Relief May Take Some Time
Late last month, U.S. President Donald Trump lifted the 40% tariff on Brazilian coffee. However, many coffee shops and roasters in the U.S. have expressed that it may take some time for consumers to see the change, as they typically order their coffee months in advance. CBS News looks at the impact of the tariffs and their repeal on Portland here.
Customers Line Up for 2-3 Hours in Hong Kong for World Champion Brews
Early last month, coffee lovers lined up at Hong Kong’s PMQ Coffee Agenda in an hours-long queue to get coffee from champion baristas. Participating baristas included Mikael Jasin (2024 World Barista Champion), Georgius Audrey Teja (2025 World Coffee in Good Spirits Champion), Matt Winton (2021 World Brewers Cup Champion), and Sierra Yeo (2022 U.K. Brewers Cup Champion).
The event was part of a celebration of Mikale Jasin’s Jakarta café concept, Omakafé. More on the story here.
Coffee Grounds Shown to Boost Soil Health
Scientists at Oregon State University say coffee grounds, when used in moderation, can boost soil health by improving soil structure and drainage. They also found that coffee can act as natural slug and snail control, outperforming common slug baits that contain metaldehyde.
New Research Challenges the Notion that Coffee is Bad for Your Heart
For years, people with atrial fibrillation, or AFib (irregular heartbeat) have been told to avoid coffee. However, new research shows that regular coffee consumption may not be as bad for those with AFib as we previously thought. Read more on the study here.
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