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From tacos to lattes: Taco Bell launches Live Más Café

https://intelligence.coffee/2024/12/from-tacos-to-lattes-taco-bell/

Published: December 20, 2024 11:30

Taco Bell, a brand synonymous with budget-friendly tacos and late-night cravings, is expanding into premium coffee. Its Live Más Café brings specialty drinks to the $5B coffee market, targeting younger, trend-focused consumers. Fast-food chains added 1,400…

A new chapter for “made in China” – the rise of coffee equipment

https://intelligence.coffee/2024/12/a-new-chapter-for-made-in-china/

Published: December 19, 2024 11:00

For decades, the label “Made in China” carried a stigma, particularly in industries that prided themselves on craftsmanship, precision, and performance. Now, building on decades of experience in manufacturing, processing, supply chain management, and…

Colombia’s micro lot monopoly is being challenged

https://intelligence.coffee/2024/12/colombias-microlots-being-challenged/

Published: December 18, 2024 11:00

Colombia has long been viewed as the ultimate source for experimental coffees. For decades it has been synonymous with high-quality microlots with exceptional processing standards. Colombia’s microlot market share is shrinking alongside a reported 20%…

Why McDonald’s is tapping into Latino coffee culture

https://intelligence.coffee/2024/12/mcdonalds-taps-into-latino-culture/

Published: December 13, 2024 11:00

McDonald’s has launched a limited-time Dulce de Leche Frappé, signalling a calculated nod to the Latino community, their fastest-growing demographic in the US and a key driver of specialty coffee consumption. The frappé offers a workaround for their…

Are “bad” coffee shops damaging specialty coffee’s reputation?

https://intelligence.coffee/2024/12/bad-coffee-shops-and-specialty-coffee/

Published: December 12, 2024 11:00

There is no shortage of coffee shops that label themselves as "specialty" – but the number of coffee shops that serve a cup of coffee that would meet James Hoffmann’s expectations are few and far between.  91% of consumers prefer authentic brands, but…

Coffee brands can scale business & profits without compromising on morals

https://intelligence.coffee/2024/12/scale-business-profits-keep-morals/

Published: December 11, 2024 11:00

As tough economic times hit, the core values of specialty coffee – commitment to quality, sustainability, and fair practices – seem to be getting diluted. Two-thirds of young consumers prioritise ethics, but rapid growth often sacrifices transparency and…

Starbucks’ hedging shift is a strategic gamble

https://intelligence.coffee/2024/12/starbucks-hedging-a-strategic-gamble/

Published: December 6, 2024 11:00

Starbucks, the world’s largest café chain and a buyer of 3% of the world’s coffee, has taken a risky gamble in its approach to coffee purchasing. Starbucks cut coffee hedging from $1B in 2019 to $200M amid a 70% price surge this year. By relying on…

Clean machines, better coffee: The overlooked side of cleaning products

https://intelligence.coffee/2024/12/clean-machines-better-coffee/

Published: December 5, 2024 11:00

In the fast-paced world of specialty coffee, baristas and shop owners obsess over sourcing the finest beans, perfecting brewing methods, and crafting the perfect pour. Cynical memes about cleaning coffee gear flood the internet – but the reality isn’t so…

Why Colombian coffee traders are opening cafés

https://intelligence.coffee/2024/12/colombian-traders-shift-to-retail/

Published: December 4, 2024 11:00

Colombia’s coffee industry, long celebrated for its exceptional green coffee exports, is witnessing a strategic shift as traders venture into specialty coffee retail. Rising costs and shrinking margins are driving a shift from green coffee exports to…

Coffee prices surge to 47-year highs, reshaping the industry

https://intelligence.coffee/2024/11/coffee-prices-surge-to-47-year-highs/

Published: November 29, 2024 11:00

Coffee prices have surged to their highest levels since April 1977, driven by fears over supply disruptions in top-producing nations like Brazil and Vietnam, and the anticipation of the EU Deforestation Directive (EUDR). While headlines indicate the coffee…

Coffee, kids & cultural controversies

https://intelligence.coffee/2024/11/coffee-kids-cultural-controversies/

Published: November 28, 2024 11:00

Children consuming coffee is a concept that would be met with either outrage, pride, or a shrug – depending on where you are in the world. Some western influencers are increasingly warning against coffee for kids and adults, but sugar-loaded energy drinks…

Are we experiencing a specialty coffee brain drain?

https://intelligence.coffee/2024/11/specialty-coffee-brain-drain/

Published: November 27, 2024 11:00

For many, turning a love of coffee into a sustainable career proves challenging. Skilled baristas are leaving specialty coffee for better-paying jobs in sectors like luxury fashion. Luxury brands offer baristas up to €40,000 annually – double what…

Italy’s iconic €1 tradition faces a new chapter

https://intelligence.coffee/2024/11/italys-espresso-faces-a-bitter-hike/

Published: November 22, 2024 11:00

Italy’s beloved espresso, a cultural icon served at bars across the country for as little as €1, is poised to undergo a radical transformation. Espresso prices in Italy could jump 66%, reaching €2 – double the iconic €1 tradition. Global coffee prices have…