Our recurring round-up of the latest specialty-coffee industry news.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
Featured image by Joshua Earle
As Customer Demands Evolve, Blue Bottle Changes Default Milk Option from Oat to Whole
In 2021, Blue Bottle introduced oat milk as its default milk option in an effort to reduce carbon emissions at stores across the U.S. and in select international countries. Now, the coffee chain has reverted back to whole milk as their default milk option, attributing the shift to changing customer preferences over the years.
“Guest preferences have evolved since we first introduced oat milk as our default, and today we see strong demand for both dairy and plant-based options,” shared Blue Bottle in a statement on their website.
Italy Launches International Coffee Strategy to Boost Sustainability
At an event in Rome earlier this month, Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally announced the launch of an “international coffee strategy,” which will bring together government leaders from countries around the world (including Uganda, Colombia, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and more), organizations including the International Coffee Organization (ICO) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the chairmen of Lavazza and illycaffé, to collectively strive toward sustainability goals.
“Supporting coffee-producing countries and promoting the expertise of Italian businesses means building a more sustainable, fair, and resilient coffee supply chain,” said Edmondo Cirielli, Italy’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in an opening address at the event. “We combine development cooperation, economic diplomacy, research and partnerships with the private sector to create value in the countries of origin and lasting opportunities for everyone.”
Click here for the full story.
Starbucks China Cracks Down on Seating Restrictions Amid Growing Competition
BBC News reports that a policy effective this month will require every person occupying a seat at a Starbucks China location to have purchased an item. The new policy comes as a response to growing competition from Chinese coffee chains like Luckin Coffee. Click here for the full story.
New Research Refutes Belief That There is One “Cure-All” Climate-Resilient Coffee Variety
For years, sustainability-minded coffee professionals have pointed to robusta as the industry’s answer to climate change, posing it as more climate-resilient than arabica. However, a new research study published by the journal Scientific Reports argues that there may not be one “cure-all” variety; instead, it matters more that different coffee varieties are grown in environments they’re most compatible with. Click here for the full story.
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