Category: News

One Cup Can Prolong Life: Morning Coffee as a Key to Longevity

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Dubai – Qahwa World

Coffee is one of the most beloved beverages in the world, and millions of people can’t imagine starting their day without it. But according to a new study by Tulane University and the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the health benefits of coffee depend not only on how much you drink — but also on when you drink it. The researchers found that a morning cup of coffee may actually extend your lifespan, while drinking coffee throughout the day could reduce its positive effects.

Coffee and Longevity

The study followed more than 40,000 participants for nearly a decade. Those who drank coffee only in the morning had a 16% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 31% lower overall mortality rate compared to people who drank coffee at different times of the day. This benefit remained consistent even after adjusting for factors like diet, exercise, and sleep habits.

Why Morning Coffee Works Best

The secret lies in the body’s biological rhythms. Caffeine affects melatonin — the hormone responsible for sleep. When consumed late in the day, caffeine can disrupt circadian rhythms, cause poor sleep, raise blood pressure, and increase stress.
In contrast, morning coffee works in harmony with the body’s natural rhythm, stimulating the nervous system, boosting metabolism, and improving focus right when the body naturally prepares for activity.

Morning vs. Evening Coffee

  • Morning coffee — boosts alertness, speeds up metabolism, lowers cardiovascular risk.

  • Evening coffee — may disrupt sleep, increase blood pressure, and trigger inflammation.

Chronic sleep deprivation caused by late caffeine intake is one of the leading contributors to premature aging, making timing a key factor in coffee’s health impact.

How to Drink Coffee for Maximum Benefit

  • Have your first cup 30–60 minutes after waking up, when cortisol levels naturally drop.

  • Avoid coffee after 2:00 p.m., especially if you’re prone to insomnia or caffeine sensitivity.

  • Choose medium-roast Arabica, which is smoother and less acidic.

  • Limit sugar and cream — they reduce coffee’s health benefits.

  • Drink a glass of water with each cup to stay hydrated.

Common Mistakes and Healthy Alternatives

  • Mistake: Drinking coffee all day for energy.
    Result: Anxiety and nervous fatigue.
    Alternative: Replace your second cup with herbal tea or lemon water.

  • Mistake: Drinking coffee on an empty stomach.
    Result: Stomach irritation and acidity.
    Alternative: Eat a light breakfast — oatmeal, yogurt, or a banana — before coffee.

  • Mistake: Drinking very strong espresso.
    Result: Blood pressure spikes and rapid heartbeat.
    Alternative: Switch to filter coffee or Americano for a gentler caffeine dose.

Should You Quit Coffee Altogether?

Participants who completely avoided coffee didn’t show better health outcomes. In fact, moderate caffeine consumption enhances the body’s antioxidant defenses. However, if coffee triggers anxiety, heartburn, or insomnia, it’s better to switch to chicory, matcha, or green tea, which gently energize without side effects.

Pros and Cons of Coffee

Pros:

  • Improves focus and alertness.

  • Reduces risk of type II diabetes.

  • Enhances mood and physical performance.

  • Rich in antioxidants that slow cellular aging.

Cons:

  • May disrupt sleep and circadian rhythm.

  • Raises blood pressure with overconsumption.

  • Causes dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

  • Irritates the stomach when consumed on an empty stomach.

FAQs

When is the best time to drink coffee?
Between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., when cortisol levels naturally decline.

How many cups per day are safe?
Two to three cups daily (up to 300 mg of caffeine), avoiding consumption after noon.

Coffee with milk or without?
If you tolerate lactose, milk can be added — it softens caffeine’s effect. Avoid sugary syrups and heavy cream.

Myths and Facts

  • Myth: Coffee dehydrates the body.
    Fact: In moderate amounts, coffee doesn’t cause dehydration.

  • Myth: Coffee is bad for the heart.
    Fact: Morning coffee can actually lower the risk of heart disease when consumed moderately.

  • Myth: Coffee prevents weight loss.
    Fact: Caffeine boosts metabolism and helps control appetite.

Fascinating Coffee Facts

  • Coffee is the second most consumed beverage in the world after water.

  • Arabica contains almost half the caffeine of Robusta, but is prized for its smooth flavor.

  • The first coffeehouses appeared in Mecca in the 15th century, and coffee became fashionable in Europe in the 17th century.

Modern science now confirms what coffee lovers have always felt instinctively:
A morning cup of coffee isn’t just a habit — it’s a companion to health and longevity when enjoyed wisely and in tune with your body’s rhythm.

Bahrain Coffee Festival 2025 Opens Registration for Exhibitors

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Manama – Qahwa World

Following the official announcement of Bahrain’s first-ever coffee festival earlier this year, organizers have now opened registration for coffee shops, roasters, and equipment suppliers to participate as exhibitors in the upcoming Bahrain Coffee Festival 2025, taking place from December 9 to 13 at Exhibition World Bahrain.

The festival, organized by DXB Live in collaboration with Bahrain Chamber and Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, marks a historic step in the Kingdom’s growing coffee scene. The open call invites local and international coffee professionals to join under the theme “Be an Exhibitor”, showcasing their products, innovations, and expertise to an eager Bahraini audience.

Organizers describe the festival as “a celebration of coffee, culture, and creativity,” designed to highlight the journey from bean to cup through interactive workshops, live brewing sessions, product showcases, and sensory experiences.

The event aims to position Bahrain as a regional hub for coffee appreciation, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for specialty coffee across the GCC. It will also provide valuable networking opportunities between café owners, suppliers, and global industry leaders.

Participants are encouraged to register early to secure their exhibition spaces, as interest from across the region continues to grow rapidly.

Dubai Outdoes Dubai and Serves the World’s Most Expensive Cup of Coffee Once Again

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Dubai – Qahwa World

Dubai has done it again—setting a new record for the world’s most expensive cup of coffee and, remarkably, outdoing its own achievement. During an exclusive Panama Night event hosted by Julith Café, the city witnessed the official launch of Nido 7 Geisha, a legendary brew now served to the public at an unprecedented price of AED 3,600 (around USD 1,000) per cup.

Just six weeks after Dubai entered the Guinness World Records in mid-September, when Roasters Café served a cup priced at AED 2,500, Julith has taken the crown with an even higher price tag — proving once more that in Dubai, even records don’t stand still for long.

The rare Nido 7 Geisha beans were acquired by Julith in August at the Best of Panama 2025 auction, following a tense bidding war that drew 549 bids from elite roasters and collectors worldwide. The Dubai café purchased just 20 kilograms of the beans for AED 2,218,785 (USD 604,080)—the highest price ever paid for coffee.

Grown near Panama’s Baru Volcano, Nido 7 Geisha is cultivated in unique microclimates that produce its distinctive floral and fruity profile. It earned an exceptional 98 points at the Best of Panama competition, with six of the 22 judges awarding a perfect 100 points, setting a new global benchmark for coffee excellence.

world’s most expensive coffee Dubai

Serkan Sagsoz, Julith’s Head Roaster and Turkey’s Barista Champion, commented: “We’re not chasing publicity; we’re crafting an experience. This coffee captures the essence of patience, artistry, and nature. Every cup is a story — not just a drink.”

Sagsoz added that a portion of the beans has been reserved for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, in appreciation of his vision and leadership, and in recognition of Dubai’s growing role as a capital of global coffee culture.

The Geisha Panama Experience now available at Julith offers an intimate sensory journey for up to four guests, guided by expert baristas who share the story of the beans from Panama’s misty highlands to Julith’s meticulous roasting in Dubai. Guests describe the brew as a harmony of jasmine, citrus, apricot, and peach, with a honey-like sweetness that lingers.

Founded in August 2025, Julith Café merges a roastery, café, boutique store, and social space under one roof. Its name derives from Just Like This, reflecting a philosophy of elegance in simplicity. The café sources its beans from Hacienda La Esmeralda, the renowned Peterson family estate that first introduced Geisha coffee to the world and continues to set the gold standard for specialty coffee cultivation.

With this new record, Dubai once again proves that it doesn’t just follow global trends — it creates them, cup after cup.

New Study Reveals Shocking Findings on How Hot and Cold Coffee Affect the Body and Mind

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Dubai – Qahwa World

A groundbreaking study published in the British Journal of Nutrition has uncovered a surprising link between the temperature of beverages—particularly coffee—and human physical and mental health. The research suggests that the difference between a steaming cup of coffee and an iced drink goes far beyond taste, extending to real effects on mood, digestion, and sleep.

Conducted by researchers from San Diego State University, the University of California San Diego, and Wake Forest University under the direction of Professor Tianying Wu, the study involved more than 400 healthy adults of Asian and White backgrounds between the ages of 18 and 65. The goal was to determine how the temperature of foods and drinks affects emotional and physical well-being. Participants reported how often they consumed cold and hot drinks such as water, coffee, tea, milk, and juice, as well as hot and cold meals during summer and winter. They also recorded symptoms related to anxiety, depression, insomnia, and digestive issues such as gas and abdominal fullness.

The results were striking. Among Asian participants, frequent consumption of cold beverages and foods—especially during the summer—was associated with higher levels of anxiety, sleep disturbance, and digestive discomfort. Those who reported having cold hands, an indicator of poor blood circulation, experienced these negative effects more strongly. The findings suggest that cold consumption in warm months may intensify anxiety and insomnia, while no significant benefit was found from hot consumption within this group.

In contrast, White participants showed the opposite trend. Those who preferred hot drinks, particularly during winter, reported fewer symptoms of depression, insomnia, and gastrointestinal discomfort. Regular consumption of hot coffee or tea during colder months was linked to better mood, improved sleep, and reduced bloating or gas. Meanwhile, higher intake of cold drinks and foods corresponded with higher anxiety and poorer sleep, particularly among those with low body warmth or poor circulation.

The researchers note that these findings align with ancient perspectives in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, which warn against consuming cold foods and beverages during winter and emphasize the health benefits of warmth. While Western medicine rarely considers temperature as a health factor, this study offers scientific evidence that thermal effects can influence human physiology.

According to the authors, cold drinks can lower core body temperature, slow gut activity, and disrupt the balance of gut microbiota, all of which may impair digestion and mood. Exposure to cold also constricts blood vessels and reduces oxygen flow to the brain, potentially heightening anxiety and disturbing neurotransmitter balance. Conversely, warm drinks stimulate blood circulation, support healthy digestion, and activate the parasympathetic nervous system—responsible for relaxation—thus improving mood stability and sleep quality.

While the study is observational and does not establish causation, the patterns are consistent enough to warrant attention. The researchers emphasize that individual factors—such as poor circulation or cold extremities—can make some people more vulnerable to the negative effects of cold consumption.

Interestingly, even within the Asian group, the differences were notable. Chinese participants, who reported the lowest intake of cold foods and beverages, also showed the fewest symptoms of anxiety, depression, and digestive issues. Indian participants, on the other hand, displayed stronger associations between cold consumption and adverse health outcomes. The study further observed that Asian immigrants who had lived longer in the United States were more likely to adopt Western dietary habits, including higher consumption of cold drinks.

The authors conclude that the temperature of what we eat and drink is not merely a matter of taste—it may influence our physical and mental balance more than we realize. The findings suggest that warm foods and beverages could promote mental and digestive well-being, particularly during colder months or among individuals sensitive to cold. As Professor Tianying Wu stated, “The temperature of what we consume may matter far more than we think—it can subtly influence our mood and health in unexpected ways.”

Keurig Dr Pepper’s Coffee Gamble Turns into Private-Equity Opportunity

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Dubai – Qahwa World

Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (KDP) has turned investor discontent into renewed optimism after securing a $7 billion investment from Apollo Global Management and KKR & Co. to support its €15.7 billion (about $18 billion) acquisition of Dutch coffee group JDE Peet’s. The capital injection eased market fears over KDP’s rising debt and transformed what was initially seen as a controversial coffee gamble into a strategic success backed by private equity.

When KDP first announced its plan in August 2025 to acquire JDE Peet’s from JAB Holding Group, shares fell by roughly 30 percent, wiping about $10 billion from its market value. Investors feared the deal would triple KDP’s exposure to coffee and overburden its balance sheet, while hedge fund Starboard Value publicly criticised the move, calling for a reduction rather than expansion in coffee assets.

The situation shifted when Apollo and KKR stepped in with a hybrid financing package that helped restore confidence and pushed KDP’s stock up by around 10 percent after the announcement. Their combined $7 billion support came in two parts: $4 billion directed toward a joint venture known as Global Coffee Co., which merges KDP’s coffee-pod business with JDE Peet’s, and $3 billion in preferred stock carrying a dividend below 5 percent and convertible into ordinary shares at roughly the pre-deal price.

This arrangement reduced KDP’s effective leverage to about 4.5 times EBITDA, compared with the 5.5 times analysts had feared when the deal was first disclosed. The structure blends elements of equity and debt, costing just above 7 percent annually, and serves as a vote of confidence in KDP’s financial resilience and in JAB Holding’s broader beverage strategy.

According to Bloomberg Opinion, the investment underscores how private-equity firms are shifting away from their old reputation as “barbarians at the gate.” Rather than launching full buyouts, groups such as Apollo and KKR now deploy hybrid capital — part loan, part equity — that offers reliable yield with potential upside. Both firms are holding their KDP positions through their insurance subsidiaries, which seek long-term, credit-like assets to back liabilities. For KDP, the infusion provides near-equity financing without diluting control, while giving investors comfort over leverage.

The turnaround was further strengthened by KDP’s third-quarter results. The company reported $4.31 billion in net revenue, an increase of nearly 11 percent and well above forecasts. Growth was driven by stronger volume, pricing, and acquisitions. U.S. Refreshment Beverages revenue rose 14.4 percent year on year, International 10.5 percent, and U.S. Coffee 1.5 percent. Adjusted earnings grew 6 percent, maintaining a dividend yield above 3.25 percent.

Market analysts now project a recovery toward the $35 share-price range, estimating an upside of about 25 percent from October levels. Institutional investors have continued to accumulate KDP stock at roughly two shares bought for every one sold throughout 2025, giving the company a solid base of long-term holders.

Beyond financial performance, the transaction carries strategic weight for the global coffee industry. The integration of KDP and JDE Peet’s would create one of the largest coffee enterprises worldwide, combining brands such as Peet’s, L’OR, Senseo, and Green Mountain under a single umbrella. Analysts believe the merger could reshape competition in both single-serve and roasted-coffee markets, expand distribution networks across North America, Europe, and the Middle East, and increase procurement influence in coffee-producing countries.

The deal also marks a turning point in how major beverage and coffee companies fund growth. What began as an unpopular, debt-heavy acquisition has become a model of financial engineering, illustrating the growing role of private capital in global coffee. For investors and industry watchers alike, Keurig Dr Pepper’s transformation of a “loathed” coffee deal into a structured, profitable partnership with private equity may signal a new era in how coffee giants balance ambition with financial discipline.

Mokha 1450 Opens Its New Boutique in Dubai Inside Modora’s Luxury Showroom

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Dubai – Qahwa World

In an exceptional evening that brought together coffee, art, and beauty, Mokha 1450, Dubai’s pioneer of specialty coffee, inaugurated its new boutique in the city. — located within the newly opened Modora showroom in Al Barsha 2.
The showroom was launched by GMG, a global well-being company, as a distinguished brand for premium furniture and home décor, expanding its home division and reinforcing its presence in the luxury lifestyle and retail sectors across the UAE.

The opening ceremony was attended by Garfield Kerr, President of the Specialty Coffee Association and Founder of Mokha 1450; Rob Canning, General Manager of Modora; Khalid Al Mulla, President of the Specialty Coffee Association – UAE Chapter; and Federico Ortile, General Manager of the Simonelli Foundation in the Middle East, along with prominent business leaders and coffee enthusiasts from across Dubai.

During his speech, Rob Canning described the new venue as “a space that merges the serenity of nature with refined elegance,” emphasizing the goal of creating “an environment where everyone can feel at home — where calm, design, and a five-star experience coexist.”

He noted that the café within the showroom offers “a wonderful space to relax, enjoy a cup of coffee, and meet clients in comfort,” adding that Modora was designed “not as a traditional furniture store, but as a place that expresses emotion, style, and cultural diversity — reflecting the spirit of the UAE and its people.”

His words echoed the essence of Mokha 1450’s philosophy, where craftsmanship, creativity, and sensory experience come together to elevate every space it touches. With its meticulous attention to detail and devotion to innovation, Mokha 1450 continues to transform each location into a destination of refined taste — one that embodies Dubai’s timeless appreciation for excellence and the art of coffee.

From a business perspective, Mohammad A. Baker, Vice Chairman and CEO of GMG, noted that “the launch of Modora marks a major step in GMG’s growth journey, tapping into a home and furniture design market valued at around USD 3.7 million, projected to surpass USD 5.7 million by 2033.”

He added that Modora “strengthens GMG’s presence in the premium furniture segment while supporting local talent, suppliers, and innovation across the retail value chain.”

The UAE’s luxury home and furniture sector continues to expand, driven by booming residential and hospitality markets and a growing interest in sustainable design. Industry data shows that the market reached USD 2.19 billion in 2024, with strong growth expected in the coming years.

Dubai’s real estate momentum underscores this trend — property sales surged 40% in the first half of 2025, reaching AED 326.6 billion compared to AED 233 billion during the same period in 2024. This surge in upscale residential projects is fueling demand for high-end interiors and elegant living concepts.

Developed to meet this rising demand, Modora introduces a design philosophy rooted in craftsmanship and aesthetic distinction, offering collections that span bedrooms, dining rooms, living spaces, tables, rugs, glassware, and accessories — all tailored to contemporary living in the UAE.

The presence of Mokha 1450 within Modora’s refined space is more than a visual complement — it represents a synergy of design and sensory experience, where aroma meets artistry, and where the language of coffee becomes part of Dubai’s ever-evolving narrative of luxury and innovation.

The Kona Coffee Fraud: When Geochemistry Exposed the Truth and Restored Authenticity

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Dubai – Qahwa World

In early October 2025, U.S. federal authorities uncovered one of the largest coffee fraud cases in recent history. Prosecutors charged 66-year-old businesswoman Patricia Johnson, from Kona, Hawaii, for her alleged involvement in selling massive quantities of counterfeit coffee marketed as “100% Kona.”

According to court documents published by Hawaii News Now on October 2, 2025, Johnson imported approximately 88 metric tons (about 194,000 pounds) of low-cost coffee from South America over more than a decade, repackaging and selling it in the United States as genuine “Kona Coffee.” The operation generated millions of dollars in illegal profits, deceiving consumers and damaging the reputation of authentic Kona growers.

Kona coffee is among the most distinguished varieties in the world, cultivated on the fertile slopes of Mauna Loa in Hawaii, where young volcanic soils and a tropical microclimate produce a rich, balanced, and subtly fruity cup. Its exclusivity and premium prices have long made it a target for counterfeiters seeking to capitalize on its global prestige. Over the years, the market saw a growing influx of products labeled as “Kona” being sold at unusually low prices, prompting suspicion and triggering a scientific investigation unlike any the coffee world had seen before.

Back in 2020, researchers from the University of Utah, led by Bitter and colleagues, published a groundbreaking study in Food Chemistry 320 demonstrating that roasted coffee beans retain a stable mineral fingerprint that reflects the geochemical makeup of the soil where they were grown. Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), the team measured 44 trace elements in roasted Arabica coffees from 21 countries, focusing not on absolute concentrations—which roasting can alter—but on elemental ratios such as Rb/Ni, Mn/Sr, and Ce/Yb. These ratios remain consistent even after roasting, serving as precise geochemical markers for verifying a coffee’s origin.

When U.S. investigators applied this scientific method to samples from the suspected Kona coffee, the results were conclusive: the mineral profile did not match the known geochemical signature of Kona’s young basaltic soils. Instead, it matched that of continental South American soils, confirming that the coffee was falsely labeled. The findings became the forensic cornerstone of the case, offering irrefutable proof that “the soil never lies.”

This case went far beyond a simple commercial dispute — it became a defining moment in how agricultural authenticity is protected worldwide. Experts say the integration of geochemical fingerprinting in food forensics represents a turning point for both science and trade. It not only exposed a decade-long fraud but also reinforced the principle of traceability through science, ensuring that terroir and truth can once again align in every cup.

The Kona scandal also highlighted how cutting-edge analytical chemistry can serve as a guardian of transparency and fairness. For producers, it protects geographical indications and guarantees fair recognition for genuine coffee growers. For scientists, it validates the power of multi-element and isotopic analysis in authenticating food origins. And for consumers, it restores confidence that when they buy coffee labeled as Kona, Yirgacheffe, or Tarrazú, they are tasting the true essence of that land.

The Kona Coffee Fraud proved that while marketing can deceive, the soil cannot. Through science, justice, and data, geochemistry has given authenticity its voice back — one that speaks, quite literally, from the ground beneath the roots.

Café Granja La Esperanza Sets New Record for Colombia’s Most Expensive Green Coffee

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Dubai – Qahwa World

The 2025 Cumbres de Colombia Specialty Coffee Auction, hosted by Café Granja La Esperanza (CGLE) on the V-Auction platform, has made history with a new national record for the highest price ever paid for a Colombian coffee.

The lot “Mavicure Hills – Laurina Natural” sold for an unprecedented $2,194.1 per kilogram, totaling $13,137.30, making it the most expensive Colombian coffee ever auctioned. The exclusive 13.2-lb vacuum-sealed lot achieved an exceptional cup score of 94.25, noted for its rosehip, banana, green apple, and blackberry jam flavor profile.

Purchased by Brew92 (Saudi Arabia), this sale marks a historic milestone not only for Colombia but also for the global specialty coffee industry, highlighting the rising international appreciation for rare micro-lots.

Unlike previous record-holders—often Panamanian Geishas—this record was achieved with the Laurina variety, a rare and delicate cultivar that underscores Colombia’s ability to rival and redefine the world’s top coffee origins.

“This achievement reflects years of dedication from every hand involved – from the pickers in the fields to our fermentation specialists and cupping lab,” said Rigoberto Herrera, Director of Café Granja La Esperanza. “Each lot tells a story of passion, discipline, and love for coffee that has grown within our family since 1945.”

Now in its fifth edition, the Cumbres de Colombia Auction featured 25 micro-lots from Colombia’s diverse coffee-growing ecosystems, particularly in the high mountains of Valle del Cauca. Each lot was handpicked at peak ripeness and processed using Café Granja La Esperanza’s innovative fermentation and drying techniques that have earned the farm global recognition.

Held on October 22, 2025, the auction attracted elite roasters and buyers from around the world in search of the rarest and most distinctive coffees. The Mavicure Hills Laurina, grown in Trujillo, Valle del Cauca, captivated bidders with its exceptional balance, clarity, and character—setting a new benchmark for Colombian specialty coffee.

Top Lot Details

  • Winning Buyer: Brew92 (Saudi Arabia)
  • Lot Name: Mavicure Hills – Laurina (Natural)
  • Origin: Trujillo, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
  • Cup Score: 94.25
  • Lot Size: 13.2 lb
  • Final Price: $2,194.1/kg (Total $13,137.30 FOB Cali, Colombia)
  • Auction Platform: V-Auction
  • Auction Date: October 22, 2025

This record-breaking sale reaffirms Colombia’s leadership in specialty coffee innovation, proving that extraordinary coffees can transcend variety expectations. Achieving over $2,000 per kilogram with a non-Geisha Laurina marks a pivotal moment for Colombian coffee, showcasing its strength on the world’s most demanding stages.

“This moment belongs to all the families who dedicate their lives to cultivating these extraordinary coffees,” the CGLE team said. “We are proud to represent Colombia and share its stories, aromas, and flavors with the world.”

Café Granja La Esperanza expressed gratitude to the international coffee community, buyers, and partners who continue to make the Cumbres de Colombia Auction a true celebration of Colombian craftsmanship and excellence.

US Roasters Tear Through Coffee Stocks Waiting for Brazil Trade Deal

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New York – Qahwa World

Coffee roasters in the United States are depleting their stockpiles while waiting for the outcome of ongoing U.S.–Brazil trade negotiations — talks that could determine whether they must continue paying higher prices for alternative coffee sources.

Brazil, which supplies about one-third of the beans consumed by the world’s largest coffee market, has been effectively priced out of the U.S. since August, when President Donald Trump’s administration imposed a 50% import tariff on Brazilian coffee — a move widely viewed as politically motivated.

The tariff was seen as retaliation against Brazil’s left-wing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, following tensions with the U.S. over his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro. The measure has disrupted the $340-billion U.S. coffee industry, leaving importers with stranded shipments, roasters cancelling deliveries, and consumers paying up to 40% more for coffee.

Industry estimates suggest U.S. coffee stockpiles will reach minimal levels by December. Some importers were forced to pay the 50% duty on cargoes booked before the tariff, while others redirected shipments to avoid it.

Steven Walter Thomas, owner of U.S. importer Lucatelli Coffee, said the tariff is “punitive, political, and personal — between Trump and Lula.” His company stored $720,000 worth of Brazilian coffee in a bonded warehouse in Florida to delay import taxes, while diverting some shipments to Canada to avoid the tariff, despite higher transport costs.

The cost surge has also squeezed major players such as Starbucks, whose CEO Cathy Smith said high coffee prices will remain a “headwind” through at least mid-2026.

Smaller roasters are feeling the pressure too. Downeast Coffee Roasters in Rhode Island said it managed to cancel some Brazilian orders but still faces rising costs for alternatives. Cancellation fees reached $20–$25 per 60-kg bag, on cargoes worth about $250,000 per container.

With Brazil largely off the U.S. market, prices for substitutes from Colombia, Mexico, and Central America have risen around 10%, while Brazilian prices have fallen about 5%.

Retail coffee prices in the U.S. climbed 41% year-on-year in September, reaching an average of $9.14 per pound, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics — a key driver of food inflation. Tight supply and record-high Arabica futures on the ICE exchange continue to fuel the trend.

“I’m not looking too much into brands anymore — I’m going for the deals,” said Sherryl Legyin, a cashier from New Jersey.
“It used to be $6 or $7, now it’s $11,” added travel agent Yasmin Vazquez.

Traders estimate U.S. stocks at about 4 million 60-kg bags, likely to drop to 2.5–3 million by December — close to minimum operational levels. The U.S. typically consumes 25 million bags per year, with 8 million coming from Brazil.

President Lula said he remains optimistic that a trade deal with Washington could come “faster than anyone thinks.”
Trump responded cautiously: “I don’t know if anything’s going to happen, but we’ll see.”

Until then, the price of an American cup of coffee is expected to stay high.

Falling Inventories and Trade Tensions Revive Momentum in Coffee Prices

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Qahwa World – Qahwa World

Coffee prices rose on Wednesday as shrinking ICE inventories and ongoing trade tensions between the United States and Brazil brought renewed momentum to the global coffee market.

December Arabica coffee (KCZ25) closed up +2.80 (+0.72%), while January Robusta coffee (RMF26) finished +145 (+3.25%) higher.

ICE-monitored Arabica inventories fell to a 1.5-year low of 446,475 bags, while Robusta stocks dropped to a 3.25-month low of 6,111 lots. This sharp decline follows the 50% tariffs imposed by the United States on imports of Brazilian coffee, prompting many American buyers to cancel new contracts. Brazil typically supplies about one-third of the U.S. unroasted coffee, tightening domestic supply.

Earlier this week, forecasts of rain in Brazil temporarily pressured prices. Meteorological agency Somar Meteorologia reported that Minas Gerais—the country’s largest Arabica-producing state—received only 0.3 mm of rainfall in the week ending October 24, or just 1% of the historical average. While upcoming rainfall could ease dry conditions, concerns remain about the impact on the critical flowering period for the 2026/27 crop.

Speculation is also mounting that the United States may lift tariffs on Brazilian coffee. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said he had a “surprisingly good” meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, adding that a “definitive solution” on trade could be reached within days.

Last week, Arabica coffee prices hit an 8.5-month high amid fears that prolonged drought in Brazil’s growing regions could threaten the 2026/27 harvest. According to Bloomberg’s Brazil Weather Analysis, Minas Gerais has received only 70% of its average monthly rainfall over the past month.

Prices also gained support after the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) raised the probability of a La Niña weather pattern to 71% between October and December, a development that could intensify dry conditions across Brazil and further impact production.

Meanwhile, Robusta coffee faced pressure from an increase in Vietnamese supply. Vietnam’s National Statistics Office reported that coffee exports rose 10.9% year-on-year between January and September 2025 to 1.23 million metric tons. The Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association (Vicofa) forecasts that 2025/26 coffee production could rise 10% if weather conditions remain favorable, reaching 1.76 MMT (29.4 million bags) — a four-year high.

At the global level, the International Coffee Organization (ICO) reported that world coffee exports for the current marketing year (October–August) increased 0.2% year-on-year to 127.92 million bags, indicating adequate global supply.

In Brazil, crop forecasting agency Conab revised its 2025 Arabica coffee crop estimate down by 4.9% to 35.2 million bags, while lowering its total coffee production estimate by 0.9% to 55.2 million bags.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS), global coffee production for 2025/26 is projected to increase 2.5% year-on-year to a record 178.68 million bags, with Arabica output expected to decline 1.7% to 97.02 million bags and Robusta production to rise 7.9% to 81.66 million bags. Brazil’s output is projected to increase 0.5% to 65 million bags, while Vietnam’s could grow 6.9% to 31 million bags.

Global ending stocks are forecast to rise 4.9% to 22.82 million bags, compared with 21.75 million bags in 2024/25.

EU’s New Deforestation Law Proposal Sparks Frustration Among Brazilian Exporters and Raises Coffee Market Concerns

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São Paulo – Qahwa World

A new European Commission proposal to relax the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) has triggered frustration among Brazilian coffee, soybean, and beef exporters, who were among the first to invest heavily in sustainable supply-chain compliance to secure early access to European markets.

According to a Rabobank report seen by Reuters, the proposed changes — which include postponing enforcement deadlines and easing penalties — could undermine the financial incentives that originally drove agribusinesses to adopt deforestation-free practices ahead of schedule.

The current law requires exporters of coffee, cocoa, palm oil, soy, wood, and beef to the European Union to provide due-diligence statements proving that their products are not linked to deforestation.

Under the new proposal, large companies would begin compliance checks from June 30, 2026, while smaller firms with fewer than 50 employees would have until December 30, 2026 to submit their declarations.

Rabobank analyst Marcela Marini emphasized that the delayed enforcement could erode the competitive advantage of those who acted early: “Companies that invested ahead of time were aiming for preferential access to the European market. The absence of fines and delayed enforcement weakens the incentive for sustainability premiums.”

The report also warned that the revision may disrupt global coffee supply chains, especially as the industry intensifies efforts toward traceability and environmental transparency.

The European Parliament is expected to review the proposal in the coming weeks. If approved, the regulation will still take effect in 2025, but with softer requirements and extended timelines — a move that some experts fear could dilute Europe’s commitment to fighting deforestation and impact the global push for sustainable coffee production.

Yannis Apostolopoulos Speaks Frankly About the Past, Present, and Future of Specialty Coffee

Posted on by Qahwa World

Dubai – Qahwa World

The 5th Wave Podcast published a long interview with Yannis Apostolopoulos, CEO of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), under the title “The Past, Present and Future of Specialty Coffee.”
Given the importance of the insights shared, Qahwa World republishes the full conversation with minor editorial adaptation.

In today’s episode we’re speaking with Yannis Apostolopoulos, CEO of the Specialty Coffee Association.

First established in the 1980s, the SCA is the largest coffee trade body globally and represents thousands of coffee professionals – from producers to baristas – all over the world.

In this conversation, Yannis discusses the evolution of the SCA and its ongoing efforts to make coffee more sustainable, equitable, and resilient, through research, standards, and education. He also shares his perspectives on the key challenges and opportunities in the industry, from climate change and sustainability to navigating economic uncertainty and the evolving role of technology and AI.

5thwave-the-business-of-c the-past-present-and-futu
Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai. Go Unlimited to remove this message.
One of the conversations that needs to be at the forefront is about risk. Who is taking the risk and who gets compensated for that risk? Welcome back to the 5th Wave Podcast. I’m Geoffrey Young, Editor-in-Chief of 5th Wave.

In today’s episode, I’m delighted to be joined by Yanis Apostolopoulos, CEO of the Specialty Coffee Association. First established in the 1980s, the Specialty Coffee Association, or the SCA as it’s often known, is the largest global coffee trade body representing thousands of coffee professionals from producers to baristas all over the world. In our conversation, Yanis discusses the evolution of the SCA and their ongoing efforts to make coffee more sustainable, more equitable, and more resilient through research standards and education.

He also shares his perspective on the key challenges and opportunities for our industry, from climate change and sustainability to navigating economic uncertainty and the evolving role of technology and AI. Welcome, Yanis. It’s very nice to be here.

Very nice to see you, Geoffrey. We see each other around the world at different spots and really, really excited to have you here actually in the studio, in Serendipity Studios. I wonder if you’d just give us a little bit of intro just on your own career and what drew you into the world of coffee.

So first of all, thank you for having me. It’s really an honor and a pleasure to be here. Well, coffee is an interesting story.

My background is mostly in wines and spirits. And around 2009, the business I used to work for decided to get into coffee. And the more I get to know coffee, I just think that coffee has this amazing, I would say, attribute that brings people in.

And you meet people, the community, the actual beverage. It’s so unique in many ways. I think it was the first time in my career that I realized, okay, I’ve been selling wine, spirits, or soft drinks.

But this time, it’s something that it’s actually good for your health. And you can contribute in making an impact or a difference in the world by impacting the livelihoods of many people. And that’s what drew me into specialty coffee.

I got involved as a volunteer in the Greek chapter, then as a board director. And then during, I would say, the initial conversations between the merger between SCAA and SCAE, the European and the American organization, I found myself working for SCAE and leading eventually SCAE around end of 2018. Wow.

So that’s a good seven years already. Almost seven. Yeah.

Little I know that the year after I become the CEO, there would be COVID and everything would change in the world, at least when it comes to trade shows, because as you remember, it used to be just trade shows. Now we’re doing much, much more. And we at SCAE are trying to make coffee better, to make coffee more sustainable, equitable, and thriving as an endeavor for everyone in the value chain.

And we do that by doing research. We use the research to set standards. And one of our most famous standards is the capping form and the capping protocol, which we recently changed based on the work we’ve done around the coffee value assessment system.

And then we educate people around the world in using those standards and trying to make them get skills to, I would say, focus on the gaps that we have in the coffee industry. And then we do events to try to bring people together and use those opportunities to disseminate the information of our research and standards. So research events and bring people together at events.

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it’s a formidable organization, I must say.

I was wondering if you could share how many people the SCAE educates in a given year. It’s very interesting. First of all, I have to say that it’s a collective effort.

I have an amazing team of people. They are really passionate about making coffee better. It’s a collective effort from the SCAE board that changed a lot over the years, but also the executive team.

On an annual basis, we educate over 80,000 people globally. It’s really something which I find it very interesting because a lot of people want to get engaged in the coffee industry. We have a lot of, say, churn when it comes to people who are trying to find a career in the coffee industry.

And what we’re trying is to provide tools and education to do so. It’s very interesting. And I think professions around hospitality are going to be much, much more attractive in the future, given the changes that we’re going to see in the global workplace with AI.

I think people will always enjoy experiences in food, in coffee. And coffee is a very human product at the end of the day. Exactly.

Now, thinking about those gaps, what do you think are the key issues that you and your organization are faced with out there in a world? For our industry, you get to speak to a whole array of human beings, from coffee farmers to people that produce equipment, to traders, to all the way down to the baristas, the roasters, and everything. The array of people that you talk to on a daily basis, it must give you a good instinct in terms of what are the big topics for our industry that we need to face over the next decade or two. What are you concerned with? …