Scott Horton Show - Just the Interviews 5/2/25 Bill Pepin on How Tariffs Are Threatening Your Morning Coffee
May 4, 2025
Bill Pepin, the owner and roaster of Moon Does Artisan Coffee, dives into the chaos created by tariffs on the global coffee market. He highlights how the U.S. can't grow enough coffee to meet demand and the implications of new trade barriers. Pepin details the struggles faced by local businesses due to rising costs and discusses the absurdity of current tariff strategies. With inflation hitting hard, he warns that these tariffs may hurt consumers more than producers, threatening the morning coffee ritual for many.
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Origin of Moon Does Coffee Name
- Bill Pepin named his company "Moon Does" as a joke about being the anti-Starbucks.
- The name stuck because his family loved it and it fit their philosophy.
Specialty Coffee vs Starbucks
- Specialty single origin coffee represents the top 1% of all coffee produced and offers distinct flavor.
- Starbucks roasts very dark to mask flavors, blending many coffees, whereas Bill Pepin's roasts preserve the bean characteristics.
Coffee Market Chaos Factors
- The international coffee market has become chaotic due to COVID disruptions and a severe drought in Brazil.
- Brazil's drought caused price spikes and supply chain ripples impacting global coffee availability.
