Category: News

Roasted Arabica Coffee Contains Natural Compounds That Fight Diabetes

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Dubai, September 3, 2025 (Qahwa World) – A new scientific study has revealed that roasted Arabica coffee beans contain natural compounds with powerful blood sugar–lowering effects, stronger than the widely used antidiabetic drug acarbose.

Researchers successfully identified three novel diterpene esters, named Caffaldehyde A, B, and C, which showed significant inhibition of the enzyme α-glucosidase, a key factor in blood sugar regulation. In addition, three more diterpenes with similar effects were discovered, reinforcing coffee’s role as a functional food with health benefits beyond basic nutrition.

Coffee as a Functional Food

Functional foods are those that contain biologically active compounds providing added benefits such as antioxidant protection, neuroprotection, lipid regulation, and blood sugar control. Coffee is not only one of the most consumed beverages worldwide but also one of the most economically valuable crops.

More than 70 diterpenes have been documented in coffee so far. Among them, kahweol and cafestol stand out for their anticancer and antidiabetic properties. However, roasted coffee remains chemically complex, making the discovery of new active compounds a challenging yet essential task.

Research Methodology

The research team employed advanced techniques combining Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) with Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This innovative approach enabled faster detection of bioactive molecules while reducing solvent use, making the process more efficient and eco-friendly.

Findings

The diterpene extract was divided into 19 fractions. Fractions 9–13 exhibited the highest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, leading to the discovery of three novel compounds – Caffaldehyde A, B, and C. These were structurally confirmed and shown to lower blood sugar effectively.

Additionally, three other compounds were identified: magaric acid, octadecenoic acid, and nonadecanoic acid, which also showed promising inhibitory activity.

Conclusion

This discovery demonstrates that roasted Arabica coffee beans are more than a daily beverage – they are a rich source of natural compounds with strong therapeutic potential. The identification of six novel compounds represents a significant step in understanding coffee’s health role and opens the door for developing innovative nutritional and medical approaches to diabetes management.

As coffee continues to hold its place as a cultural and economic staple, it also reveals itself as a functional food with the potential to support better public health and inspire further natural treatment research.

illycaffè Acquires 80% of «Capitani»

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Dubai, September 3, 2025 (Qahwa World) – Italian premium coffee brand illycaffè has announced the acquisition of an 80% stake in Capitani, a Como-based manufacturer of single-serve capsule coffee machines for the home market.

The move is part of illycaffè’s strategy to strengthen its European supply chain and reduce reliance on non-European suppliers, as the global coffee sector faces mounting pressures from soaring green coffee prices and new tariffs on exports, particularly to the United States, the company’s second-largest market after Italy.

CEO Cristina Scocchia emphasized that the investment in Capitani reflects illycaffè’s ongoing transition from a traditional coffee roaster to a holistic systems company. She said: “The geopolitical context, trade barriers, tariffs, and rising raw material costs are significant challenges, but we have chosen to continue focusing on Made in Italy and innovation, investing in our country and strengthening the Italian production chain.”

Founded in 1979, Capitani specializes in designing and producing single-serve coffee machines primarily for the home market. The company operates a 43,000 sq ft production facility in Solbiate con Cagno and has been a long-standing supply partner for illycaffè. In 2024, Capitani generated revenues of approximately €20 million.

Under the deal, set to close in October 2025, the Capitani family will retain a 20% stake. The new partnership aims to double Capitani’s revenues within five years by leveraging synergies, industrial efficiency, and innovation capabilities.

illycaffè reported record revenues of €630 million in 2024, up 6% year-on-year, with net profits rising 42% to over €33 million and EBITDA up 19% to €110 million.

In the first half of 2025, the company posted an 11% increase in revenues compared to the previous year, reaching €319 million (~$370 million). However, illycaffè expects slower growth of 7–10% in the second half due to record-high coffee costs and the newly introduced 15% tariffs on European coffee exports to the US.

For illycaffè, acquiring Capitani is a pivotal step in reinforcing domestic production and protecting the Italian identity of its products. By combining Capitani’s industrial expertise with illycaffè’s global reach, the partnership is set to boost competitiveness in the fast-growing European capsule coffee market, where at-home consumption continues to expand rapidly.

Brazil Estimates Coffee Export Losses at $196.5 Million

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Cecafé: Brazilian coffee exporters lost nearly $200 million in July 2025

Dubai, September 3, 2025 (Qahwa World) – Brazil, the world’s largest coffee producer and exporter, has faced severe challenges due to disruptions in its port infrastructure. According to the Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council (Cecafé), total exporter losses in July 2025 amounted to $196.5 million.

Cecafé reported that overloaded and strained port facilities caused massive delays and forced changes in shipping routes. As a result, more than 598.7 thousand 60-kg bags of coffee could not be shipped in July. The average value of a bag was $385.4, while the longest idle period reached 35 days. In total, exporters lost the equivalent of 1.1 billion reals ($196.5 million), and shipments to the global market fell by 27%, dropping to 164 thousand tons.

Beyond logistical problems, Brazilian farmers also faced prolonged frosts. Experts warned that these unfavorable weather conditions triggered stress flowering, which could negatively impact not only the 2025 harvest but also next year’s production.

The disruptions in Brazil and Vietnam have already intensified pressure on the global coffee market. In New York, arabica prices rose to a two-month high in July, while in London, on November 27, the January futures price for robusta reached $5,547.5 per ton (+7.55%), setting a record since at least January 2008, according to ICE Futures.

Luza Baiguzina, Associate Professor at IMES, previously warned that difficulties with exports from Brazil and Vietnam could push coffee prices in Russia up by as much as 20% in 2026.

New GCP Guidance Sets Global Path for Regenerative Agriculture in Coffee Production

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Dubai, September 3, 2025 (Qahwa World) – The Global Coffee Platform (GCP) has unveiled its long-anticipated RegenCoffee Guidance, a comprehensive framework designed to align the global coffee sector around regenerative agriculture. Developed over six months with input from farmers, industry leaders, NGOs, and sustainability experts, the new guidance provides a common language and clear roadmap to ensure the future resilience of coffee production.

A Sector-Wide Shift Toward Regeneration

Regenerative agriculture is increasingly recognized as an essential response to climate change, ecosystem degradation, and the economic challenges facing millions of coffee farmers. After years of volatility and pressure on farmers, the need for coordinated solutions has never been greater. Global Coffee Industry Faces Deepening Crisis as Production Struggles to Meet Surging Demand.

Unlike traditional sustainability approaches, regenerative agriculture emphasizes improving and restoring natural resources—particularly soil, water, and biodiversity—while boosting the long-term profitability of farming systems.

The RegenCoffee Guidance defines regenerative coffee farming as a holistic, outcome-focused approach. Its goal is to ensure that coffee production enhances ecosystem services, increases resilience against climate risks, and creates more stable livelihoods for farming communities.

“The threat to sustainable coffee production is real, but so is the opportunity,” said Annette Pensel, Executive Director of the Global Coffee Platform. “By embracing regenerative agriculture in partnership with coffee farmers and governments, the industry can address these challenges while building a pathway to farmer prosperity and supply resilience.”

Four Core Impact Areas

The GCP framework outlines four impact areas that serve as the foundation for regenerative coffee:

  • Improved soil health – restoring fertility, organic matter, and resilience.

  • Better water quality and availability – conserving and managing water resources more efficiently.

  • Enhanced biodiversity with reduced pesticide risks – creating healthier ecosystems through agroforestry, shade-grown systems, and integrated pest management.

  • Resilient farmer livelihoods – strengthening incomes, reducing volatility, and enabling adaptation to climate change.

These outcomes are supported by practical, farmer-centric examples such as cover cropping, intercropping, organic amendments, wastewater management, and optimized fertilization practices. Importantly, the guidance is not prescriptive; rather, it provides adaptable pathways that farmers can tailor to their specific landscapes and contexts.

Economic and Environmental Impact

According to a TechnoServe study cited in the guidance, transitioning to regenerative coffee production could deliver profound benefits across the sector. The study estimates that:

  • An investment of $4 billion over seven years would be required to scale adoption.

  • More than 3.2 million smallholder farmers could see income increases of up to 62%.

  • Coffee exports in seven key countries could rise by 30%.

  • Greenhouse gas emissions from coffee farming could fall by 38% across 2.7 million hectares.

“This investment case is not only positive but compelling,” noted Paul Stewart, Global Coffee Director at TechnoServe. “It demonstrates that regenerative practices can simultaneously improve farmer incomes, enhance biodiversity, and reduce carbon emissions.”

Guarding Against Greenwashing

One of the main goals of the RegenCoffee Guidance is to create sector-wide alignment that prevents confusion and mitigates the risks of “greenwashing.” By setting common definitions, principles, outcomes, and indicators, the framework provides credibility and clarity for companies, governments, and consumers.

RegenCoffee also aligns with wider circular economy efforts that aim to make coffee production more sustainable. Circular Economy: Is the Coffee Industry Ready for a Sustainable Shift?.

Scaling regenerative agriculture will require overcoming financial and policy barriers at national and international levels. Barriers to Circular Coffee: How the Industry Can Overcome Financial and Regulatory Challenges.

“This outcome reflects the value of broad collaboration and practical support for all stakeholders,” said Jeremy Lefroy, Chair of GCP’s Technical Committee. “It ensures that the sector can continue—or begin—the necessary steps toward a regenerative coffee future that is consistent, informed, and aligned.”

Looking Ahead

The launch of the RegenCoffee Guidance marks the first phase of a multi-step process. Future phases will integrate regenerative principles into the Coffee Sustainability Reference Code, adapt them to local farming realities, and establish mechanisms for transition financing.

By-products of coffee farming can also play a vital role in sustainability when integrated into regenerative systems. From Bean to Biofuel: How Coffee By-Products are Driving Sustainability in Coffee-Producing Regions.

Technological innovation will further accelerate the transition to regenerative and sustainable coffee. The Future of Coffee: How Technology is Brewing a Greener Cup.

Farmers remain at the center of this transformation. As GCP emphasizes, regeneration will only succeed if farmers are empowered with the right tools, financial support, and technical guidance.

“Without healthy ecosystems, there is no future for coffee. Without responsible farming, no prosperity. Without action, no transformation,” said Adriana Mejía Cuartas, GCP Board Chair and fourth-generation coffee grower from Colombia.

A Call to Collective Action

The Global Coffee Platform is now urging all stakeholders—farmers, cooperatives, governments, roasters, traders, NGOs, and financial institutions—to adopt the RegenCoffee Guidance as a shared foundation for action.

Long-term resilience will also depend on how global supply and demand dynamics evolve in the coming years. ICO Market Report – March 2025.

By aligning around a common regenerative vision, the coffee sector can not only safeguard long-term supply but also contribute meaningfully to global climate resilience and food security.

Unity Coffee Launches to Redefine the UK’s Self-Serve Coffee Market

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Dubai, 2 September 2025 (Qahwa World) – Scott Martin, the entrepreneur who pioneered the UK’s self-serve coffee sector, has returned with a bold new venture, Unity Coffee, which aims to disrupt the market through digital-first innovation, premium quality, and fairer value.

The brand is rolling out this month across the United Kingdom, targeting retail, travel, leisure, and education venues. With a plan to install more than 500 units in the next two years, Unity Coffee positions itself as a challenger brand ready to compete directly with industry giants.

Built on a FinTech platform, Unity Coffee is the first self-service coffee concept of its kind, offering customers a seamless mobile-first journey. Consumers can order and pay through the brand’s dedicated app while benefiting from agile pricing, real-time promotions, and personalized loyalty rewards. The machines are designed to ensure consistency across a wide menu that includes espresso, specialty coffee drinks, matcha, and hot chocolate, with both dairy and plant-based milk options.

“The coffee-to-go market has let customers down for years with overpriced drinks and tired, repetitive experiences,” said Martin. “Unity Coffee is leading a new movement, delivering exceptional coffee at fairer prices through smart technology, dynamic loyalty, and instant rewards. We’re going to take on big coffee and give the power back to the people.”

Martin is no stranger to innovation. In 1998, he co-founded Coffee Nation, which quickly grew to nearly 900 machines and captured almost half of the UK’s self-serve market. The company was acquired by Whitbread in 2011 for £59.5 million ($77.3 million) and rebranded as Costa Express. Under Martin’s leadership, the network expanded to 14,000 machines before becoming part of Coca-Cola’s £3.9 billion ($5.4 billion) acquisition of Costa Coffee in 2019.

Unity Coffee has secured backing from investors with strong expertise across hospitality, retail, manufacturing, and packaging, ensuring both financial strength and operational insight. Martin himself continues to advise on other innovative ventures, including UK specialty coffee group Grind, self-serve solutions firm BoxBar, and Singapore-based Crown Digital, the developer of the robotic barista concept ELLA.

The launch of Unity Coffee comes at a time when self-service technologies are gaining renewed attention across global retail. With its FinTech foundation, wide product range, and consumer-first approach, the brand is positioning itself not just as a coffee provider but as part of a broader digital transformation in the coffee-to-go sector.

Nut Milks in Coffee: Healthier, But Do They Match Dairy’s Taste?

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August 28, 2025 – (Qahwa World) – The coffee world has long been familiar with debates about dairy versus alternatives, but a groundbreaking study from South Korea has now provided the most detailed comparison yet of how nut-based milks perform in espresso drinks. The findings reveal that while cow’s milk remains the preferred choice for taste and texture, nut milks—particularly when roasted—offer unique health advantages and the potential for future innovation in coffee beverages.

Background: The Rise of Plant-Based Milks

Growing concerns over lactose intolerance, cholesterol, and the environmental footprint of dairy farming have fueled global demand for plant-based milk alternatives. Almond, cashew, hazelnut, and walnut milks have emerged as popular options, often promoted for their nutritional value and lower environmental impact. Yet little scientific research has explored how these nut milks behave when combined with coffee, particularly in terms of sensory appeal and chemical composition.

This new study, conducted by researchers at Dongguk University in Seoul and published in Scientific Reports, set out to fill that gap. The team prepared espresso-based beverages using roasted Brazilian arabica coffee and each of the four nut milks, in both roasted and unroasted forms, then compared them against traditional cow’s milk coffee.

The Science Behind Nut Milks in Coffee

The researchers examined multiple factors:

  • Fatty acid composition

  • Antioxidant activity

  • Volatile compounds (aroma contributors)

  • Particle size and viscosity

  • Color and browning index

  • Sensory evaluation by trained tasters

Roasting nuts before milk preparation had a profound impact. Oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids—all beneficial unsaturated fatty acids linked to heart health—rose significantly in roasted nut milks. These drinks also exhibited higher antioxidant activity and polyphenol content, key markers associated with reduced oxidative stress in the body.

On the flip side, nut-based coffees tended to have larger particle sizes and higher viscosity compared to cow’s milk, factors that influenced mouthfeel and overall smoothness.

Volatile Compounds and Aroma Profiles

Gas chromatography identified 33 volatile compounds across the samples. Cow’s milk coffee stood out for floral and sweet notes such as furfuryl acetate and 5-methyl furfural, while nut milks contained more aldehydes and pyrroles, compounds characteristic of nutty aromas.

For example, almond milk coffee showed high levels of benzaldehyde, the chemical responsible for the distinct bitter-almond scent. Cashew and walnut-based versions contained other aldehydes linked to roasted and woody notes. These chemical profiles shaped the sensory outcomes, sometimes creating bitterness or lingering aftertastes that reduced preference scores.

Sensory Results: Dairy Still Dominates

Seventeen trained panelists evaluated all beverages for sweetness, bitterness, texture, nuttiness, and overall acceptance. Cow’s milk consistently ranked highest for sweetness, creaminess, and general preference.

Among the nut milks, cashew milk scored the highest, followed by almond and roasted hazelnut. Roasted walnut milk was the least favored. The study attributed the lower ratings of nut milks partly to aldehydes that impart undesirable flavors and to textural differences caused by larger particles.

Despite this, researchers stressed that nut milks still show strong promise:

“Nut-based milk coffee demonstrated potential as a health-promoting beverage owing to its high unsaturated fatty acid content and antioxidant effects,” the authors wrote.

Health and Sustainability Advantages

Nutritionally, nut milks have clear advantages. Compared with cow’s milk, they contained:

  • Lower levels of saturated fat

  • Higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids (linked to cardiovascular benefits)

  • Greater antioxidant activity (especially in roasted versions)

From an environmental perspective, the use of nuts in plant-based beverages reduces reliance on livestock farming, which is resource-intensive in terms of water, land, and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Road Ahead: Improving Flavor and Texture

While health benefits are evident, the researchers acknowledged that consumer acceptance remains limited by flavor and mouthfeel. They recommended further work to:

  • Control aldehyde production during processing to minimize off-flavors

  • Conduct additional physical experiments to refine texture and improve creaminess

  • Explore roasting parameters to optimize antioxidant release without compromising taste

These steps, they argue, could help close the sensory gap between nut milks and cow’s milk, paving the way for a new generation of plant-based coffee beverages that balance health, sustainability, and taste.

A Shift in the Coffee Industry?

The study’s findings come at a time when cafés worldwide are diversifying their menus with oat, soy, and nut milks to cater to vegan and health-conscious consumers. While dairy still dominates, particularly in espresso-based drinks, this research signals that the future of coffee could include more scientifically engineered plant-based options that rival dairy not only in nutrition but also in flavor.

For coffee lovers, that could mean healthier cappuccinos and lattes without sacrificing the sensory experience that makes café culture so irresistible.

Black Rock Coffee Bar Eyes $861 Million IPO Valuation

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Dubai, September 2, 2025 – (Qahwa World) – Black Rock Coffee Bar is targeting a valuation of up to $860.7 million in its New York initial public offering (IPO), the café chain announced on Tuesday. The Scottsdale, Arizona-based company aims to raise as much as $265 million by offering 14.7 million shares priced between $16 and $18 each.

This IPO represents a rare consumer sector listing at a time when the U.S. market is dominated by tech-focused debuts. It will also serve as a key test of investor appetite for consumer IPOs, with Dutch Bros being one of the last notable coffee chains to go public in 2021.

Founded in 2008, Black Rock Coffee remains founder-owned and operates drive-thru cafés offering hot and iced coffees as well as energy drinks such as Nitro Cold Brew and its signature Caramel Blondie. From its origins as a small stand in Oregon, the company has grown to more than 150 locations across seven states, from the Pacific Northwest to Texas.

The company sources most of its beans from Brazil, Ethiopia, Colombia, and Mexico. However, its prospectus warned that higher prices or reduced availability of arabica beans, dairy, and other commodities could negatively affect its operations. Coffee prices have surged to record highs this year, driven by droughts in Brazil and Vietnam and a U.S. move to impose 50% tariffs on beans imported from Brazil.

Additional tariff risks are linked to equipment such as refrigeration units and espresso machines.

Black Rock Coffee will list on the Nasdaq under the ticker BRCB, with J.P. Morgan, Jefferies, Morgan Stanley, and Baird serving as lead underwriters.

Tariffs Push U.S. Coffee Industry Into Crisis as Prices Surge

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Dubai, September 2, 2025 – (Qahwa World) – The U.S. coffee sector is entering one of its most turbulent phases in decades as new tariffs take hold, global prices soar, and supply chains face renewed disruption. From small roasters to household-name brands, the entire industry is scrambling to cope with higher costs and mounting uncertainty — with consumers ultimately left paying the price.

Prices Climb to Record Highs

According to the latest inflation data, the average retail price of roasted coffee in the U.S. has risen 14.8% since July 2024. In total, coffee prices have jumped 84% since 2021, with the retail price of ground coffee reaching $8.41 per pound in July 2025, up from $4.56 just four years ago.

Globally, the situation is even more alarming. Coffee prices have surged 59% year-over-year, with a 34% spike in August alone. Arabica stockpiles have fallen to less than 14.5 months of supply, the lowest level in a decade, driving specialty coffee prices above $20 for a 12-ounce bag in many U.S. grocery stores.

New Tariffs Reshape the Market

On August 6, the Trump administration imposed a sweeping set of tariffs: 50% on unroasted Brazilian coffee, 10% on imports from Colombia and Ethiopia, 25% on India, and 40% on Myanmar. Mexico remains the only major origin exempt, thanks to the U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Brazil — the world’s largest producer, responsible for 37% of global supply — is the hardest hit. With its price advantage wiped out, many U.S. roasters are reconsidering long-term sourcing strategies.

China and the European Union are moving quickly to fill the gap. In late August, Beijing approved 183 Brazilian exporters to ship coffee under a new five-year deal, while the EU, which already sources about a third of its coffee from Brazil, has secured additional contracts. These moves could permanently shift trade flows away from the U.S. market.

Roasters and Consumers Under Pressure

The tariffs are squeezing the entire coffee supply chain. Large corporations such as Starbucks and Keurig Dr Pepper can leverage economies of scale, but thousands of smaller roasters are struggling to absorb the shock.

Independent businesses like Elevated Roast in Washington State report tariff costs amounting to 21% of total imports. The owner says he is “eating” half the costs to shield customers, but acknowledges this approach is unsustainable in the long run.

Industry experts warn that roasters operating on thin margins — especially those with existing debt — may face closures if costs continue to rise alongside higher interest rates and restricted access to credit.

Consumers, meanwhile, are being forced to adapt. Coffee remains the most consumed beverage in the U.S., with 66% of adults drinking it daily, according to the National Coffee Association. Yet surveys show changing habits: many households are stockpiling coffee, trading down to cheaper brands, or reducing café visits. At the same time, 71% of Americans report brewing at home at least once a day, compared to just 16% who exclusively rely on cafés.

Political, Legal, and Climate Uncertainty

The tariffs have also sparked political and legal battles. Members of the Congressional Coffee Caucus have called on the administration to exempt coffee imports, arguing that every $1 spent on imported coffee generates $43 in economic value across the U.S. supply chain.

Legal challenges are already under way. A federal appeals court recently ruled that the administration exceeded its authority in imposing the tariffs, but enforcement remains suspended until at least mid-October pending possible Supreme Court review.

At the same time, climate change continues to amplify supply risks. Successive droughts in Brazil and Central America have already reduced yields, and any additional shocks could push prices even higher.

What Lies Ahead

Analysts agree that unless coffee is granted a tariff exemption, volatility will persist. While major players such as Keurig Dr Pepper and JDE Peet’s are pursuing a merger that could bring long-term efficiencies, such strategies will not address immediate disruptions.

The risk, experts warn, is a wave of consolidation in which small and mid-sized roasters exit the market, reducing diversity and competition while leaving the sector more dependent on a few corporate giants.

For consumers, the dilemma remains simple yet unavoidable: adapt to higher prices, change consumption patterns, or cut back altogether. But with coffee entrenched as both a ritual and a cultural staple, scaling back may prove harder than any trade policy shift.

Who Is Nestlé’s New Leader, Philipp Navratil?

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Dubai, September 2, 2025 – (Qahwa World) – Nestlé has appointed Philipp Navratil as its new Chief Executive Officer following the dismissal of Laurent Freixe, who was removed after an internal investigation confirmed a breach of the company’s Code of Business Conduct.

Navratil, 49, a Swiss-Austrian national, brings more than two decades of experience within Nestlé and is widely recognized for his leadership in the global coffee sector. He joined the company in 2001 and steadily advanced through international roles, including Country Manager of Nestlé Honduras in 2009, Coffee & Beverages Business Lead in Mexico in 2013, and Senior Vice President heading the Coffee Strategic Business Unit in 2020. In July 2024, he was appointed CEO of Nespresso and became a member of Nestlé’s Executive Board in January 2025.

“Philipp has an impressive track record in delivering results across diverse markets and is known for his dynamic leadership and collaborative management style,” said Nestlé Chairman Paul Bulcke, who himself is set to step down in 2026 after 47 years with the company.

Navratil assumes the top job at a critical time. Nestlé reported a 1.8% revenue decline in 2024 to CHF 91.3 billion ($10.1 billion) and a further 1.8% drop in the first half of 2025. Despite the overall slowdown, the company’s coffee business remains strong, with double-digit growth in the Americas and mid-single-digit growth in Europe during the first six months of 2025. Price increases averaging 6% across retail coffee ranges also helped drive category performance.

Industry observers say Navratil’s appointment underscores Nestlé’s reliance on its coffee portfolio — one of the group’s fastest-growing categories — to stabilize sales and restore momentum. His immediate challenge will be to rebuild investor confidence and strengthen Nestlé’s global position following a period of turbulence at the top.

Romantic Affair Ousts Nestlé CEO and Puts Philipp Navratil in the Spotlight

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Dubai, September 2, 2025 – (Qahwa World) – Nestlé has dismissed its Chief Executive Officer Laurent Freixe after nearly four decades at the Swiss food and beverage giant, citing a breach of its Code of Business Conduct. He has been immediately replaced by Philipp Navratil, the Global CEO of Nespresso.

In an official statement, Nestlé said the decision followed an investigation into an undisclosed romantic relationship between Freixe and a staff member, which violated company policy. Freixe, who joined the company in 1986, rose through the ranks to lead its European and Americas segments before heading Latin America in 2022. He was appointed Group CEO in August 2024 following the resignation of Mark Schneider. Freixe has also stepped down from the company’s Executive Board, where he had served since 2008.

“This was a necessary decision. Nestlé’s values and governance are strong foundations of our company. I thank Laurent for his years of service at Nestlé,” said Chairman Paul Bulcke, who himself will step down next year after 47 years with the group.

Navratil, a seasoned coffee executive, now takes the top job at one of the world’s largest food companies. Over the past 18 months, he has led Nespresso globally and previously held senior roles as Coffee Business Executive Officer for Nestlé Mexico and Head of its Coffee Strategic Business Unit.

“Philipp is recognised for his impressive track record of achieving results in challenging environments. Renowned for his dynamic presence, he inspires teams and leads with a collaborative, inclusive management style,” Bulcke added.

The leadership change comes at a critical moment. Nestlé is grappling with declining sales after reporting a 1.8% revenue drop in 2024 to CHF 91.3bn ($10.1bn), followed by another 1.8% fall in the first half of 2025. Despite the broader downturn, coffee has remained a strong performer. The company reported double-digit sales growth in the Americas and mid-single-digit growth in Europe during the first half of 2025, helped by a 6% average price increase across its retail coffee ranges.

Nestlé’s swift action underscores the company’s strict governance standards, but it also disrupts the stability it was seeking after Freixe’s short-lived tenure. Navratil now faces the challenge of steering the company through weak overall performance while leveraging coffee — one of Nestlé’s strongest categories — to restore momentum.

Grounds for Health Auction Returns with Rare Coffees to Support Women’s Health

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Dubai, September 1, 2025 (Qahwa World) – The annual Grounds for Health Auction will return on Thursday, September 18, offering roasters around the world the chance to acquire rare, high-quality green coffees and specialty equipment while directly supporting lifesaving women’s health programs in coffee-growing communities.

This year’s auction features contributions from some of the most renowned farms in the coffee industry. Among the highlights are a washed Geisha “Guabo” lot from Hacienda La Esmeralda in Panama, exceptional coffees from Finca El Injerto in Guatemala, and Hacienda La Minita in Costa Rica. The catalog also includes premium offerings from major traders such as Walker Coffee Trading, Keffa Coffee, and San Cristobal Coffee Importers, in addition to professional coffee equipment.

All proceeds from the auction go directly to Grounds for Health, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and detecting cervical cancer in coffee-producing regions. The group currently operates programs in Ethiopia and Kenya, where cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of death among women, despite being entirely preventable with early screening.

“When we invest in women’s health, we invest in the future of coffee itself. Healthy women farmers mean thriving families, sustainable farms, and the exceptional coffee quality our industry depends on,” said Justin Mool, Auction Manager at Grounds for Health.

Since its launch in 2009, the auction has raised more than $1 million to fund its health initiatives. Past editions have featured notable contributions from farms such as Hacienda El Roble in Colombia and Daterra Coffee in Brazil, along with strong support from traders including Walker Coffee Trading. In the 2024 auction, nearly thirty lots of specialty coffee were offered, underlining the ongoing commitment of the global coffee community to this cause.

Roasters and industry participants can register through the official auction website to bid on coffee or equipment, or to make direct donations. Shipping costs are not included in the winning bids and must be arranged separately.

India’s Blue Tokai Raises $25m to Accelerate Global Coffee Ambitions

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Dubai, September 1, 2025 (Qahwa World) – India’s specialty coffee sector is witnessing rapid growth, with local brands no longer limiting themselves to the domestic market but stepping confidently onto the global stage. Leading this movement is Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, which has announced raising $25 million in a new bridge funding round to fuel both domestic expansion and international ambitions.

Founded in Gurgaon in 2013, Blue Tokai began as a small roastery and has grown into one of India’s most recognized specialty coffee brands. Today, it operates a network of 164 cafés across the country alongside a thriving direct-to-consumer business that has brought Indian coffee to a wider audience. The funding comes at a pivotal moment as urban consumers, especially younger demographics, increasingly seek high-quality coffee experiences.

A portion of the new capital will be directed toward infrastructure development, including new roastery and bakery facilities in Bengaluru and Gurgaon. These investments will boost production capacity and support the company’s expanding retail footprint. The move also comes amid growing competition from fellow Indian specialty chains such as Third Wave Coffee and Nothing Before Coffee, which are also scaling aggressively.

Blue Tokai’s ambitions extend well beyond India. The company already operates a roastery and café in Japan, marking its first overseas venture. In July 2025, it signed a master franchise agreement with Ambrosia Gulf to expand into the Middle East, with a flagship store in Dubai set to open in the final quarter of 2025. This strategic launch places Blue Tokai in the heart of the UAE’s dynamic coffee culture, where both global brands and boutique roasters compete for market share.

According to Shivam Shahi, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Blue Tokai, the company has revised its financial outlook. While earlier forecasts projected revenue of Rs 10bn ($113m) by 2027, the new plan envisions Rs 20bn ($226m) in revenue and over 800 stores within the next four years, driven by strong market response in both domestic and international markets.

The bridge round saw participation from Blue Tokai’s existing investors, including A91 Partners, Anicut, Verlinvest, and 12 Flags, underscoring continued confidence in the brand’s growth trajectory. Since 2023, the company has raised nearly $100 million in funding, including a $30m Series B in January 2023 and a $35m Series C in September 2024.

Although India has historically been a tea-driven nation, coffee culture is undergoing a dramatic shift. Young consumers are driving demand for specialty coffee, placing emphasis on quality, origin transparency, and café experiences comparable to global standards. While multinational players such as Tata Starbucks remain cautious in their expansion strategies, homegrown startups like Blue Tokai and Third Wave Coffee are racing ahead, opening dozens of outlets annually.

With this latest funding, Blue Tokai is positioning itself not only as a leader within India but also as a serious contender on the international specialty coffee scene. By combining domestic infrastructure expansion with strategic global entry points such as Japan and the UAE, the company is charting a course that could redefine the role of Indian coffee brands in the global market.