Sip - the week's most important coffee news
Issue 4
This week, we talk about what the record-high coffee prices mean for farmers, the next generation of coffee producers questioning their future, lessons specialty coffee can learn from luxury watchmaking, the power of artist collaborations in cafés, and why coffee snobbery is holding the industry back.
Let’s get into it.
Coffee Prices Hit a 50-Year High—And Farmers Aren’t Celebrating
Coffee prices are skyrocketing, hitting nearly $4 per pound, the highest in 50 years. At first glance, this seems like great news for farmers—but reality tells a different story. Rising costs, labor shortages, and climate change are eating into profits, leaving many producers in worse financial shape than before. Some farmers are even considering shrinking their operations despite record prices. So, who is actually benefiting from this coffee boom?
His Coffee Is World-Famous. His Son Isn’t Sure He Wants to Take Over
Award-winning Ecuadorian coffee farmer Pepe Jijón produces some of the most coveted beans in the world. But while his coffee’s reputation grows, his 19-year-old son Jose is unsure about following in his footsteps. He’s drawn to city life, working in New York’s coffee scene, and exploring other passions. This story highlights a growing crisis in coffee farming—as older generations retire, who will grow the world’s coffee in the future?
What Specialty Coffee Can Learn From Audemars Piguet
What does luxury watchmaking have to do with specialty coffee? More than you think. Audemars Piguet (AP) has built a brand around storytelling, exclusivity, and craftsmanship—all things that specialty coffee brands should be doing better. AP’s approach to scarcity, innovation, and celebrity collaborations has created years-long waiting lists for their watches. Could coffee brands apply the same strategies to elevate their appeal?
Coffee and Art Collaborations Are Bringing Communities Together
From hand-painted to-go cups to custom ceramic mugs, coffee businesses are embracing artist collaborations—and it’s paying off. Customers love the exclusivity and creativity, while cafés benefit from free marketing, increased foot traffic, and deeper connections with their community. Could limited-edition coffee designs be the next big thing in branding?
Why Coffee Snobbery Is Killing Specialty Coffee
We need to talk about snobbery. Specialty coffee’s elitist reputation is limiting its growth, alienating new consumers, and making coffee less fun. Whether it’s gatekeeping knowledge, overcomplicating terminology, or looking down on people who drink caramel lattes, the industry is pushing potential customers away—at a time when coffee prices are soaring and we need more people to care about quality coffee, not fewer. Can specialty coffee ditch the exclusivity mindset before it’s too late?
Final Sip
That’s it for this week! From rising coffee prices to the future of coffee farming and branding lessons from luxury watches, the coffee industry is evolving fast.
We’ll be back next week with more coffee news. If you enjoyed this issue, share it with a fellow coffee lover and subscribe to stay updated.
The Sip Team