1A How Did This Get Here: Your Coffee
23 snips
Apr 16, 2025 
Join food journalist Dan Saladino, who authored 'Eating to Extinction,' Sarah Nguyen, founder of Nguyen Coffee Supply, and Bloomberg's Javier Blas for an insightful discussion on coffee's complex journey. They delve into the recent surge in coffee prices, influenced by climate change and tariffs. The conversation highlights the vital importance of sourcing, especially for Vietnamese Robusta, and the impact on smaller roasters. Discover how global trade dynamics shape your daily cup and the ecological implications tied to coffee consumption.
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Main Coffee Sources and Supply Issues
- Most coffee for the U.S. comes mainly from Brazil and Vietnam, sourcing Arabica and Robusta beans respectively.
- Supply has struggled due to weather issues and rising demand exceeding production even before tariffs started.
Origins and Global Spread of Coffee
- Coffee originally comes from Ethiopia and spread globally via Yemen in the 15th century.
- Today’s coffee belt runs globally between Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer, supporting most commercial coffee production.
Coffee Species Diversity and Market Dominance
- While Arabica and Robusta dominate the market, there are about 130 coffee species overall.
- Commercial cultivation narrowed to these two species, marginalizing others to near commercial extinction.
