Pinned
Klave
@coffeeklave.bsky.social
· Jan 28
The Hidden Slave Driver: Coffee
Coffee has a slavery problem.
open.substack.com
I wrote a little informative piece on the history of slavery in coffee and the forms in which it can be found today:
open.substack.com/pub/coffeekl...
open.substack.com/pub/coffeekl...
Reposted by Klave
My answer: no.
There is not enough exploitable labor in high-income economies to keep the cost of production low, especially at scale.
There is not enough exploitable labor in high-income economies to keep the cost of production low, especially at scale.
Climate change is tightening the geographical “coffee belt” that straddles the equator. But it is also creating new opportunities for European producers econ.st/40wtyKU
Photo: Castellvilar
Photo: Castellvilar
July 27, 2025 at 12:04 PM
My answer: no.
There is not enough exploitable labor in high-income economies to keep the cost of production low, especially at scale.
There is not enough exploitable labor in high-income economies to keep the cost of production low, especially at scale.
Rare non-coffee related news that I need to talk about:
An art installation titled, "Revivification," sees researchers perform quasi-ressurection on DNA from recently deceased composer Alvian Lucier, creating a brain-like entity that continuously creates music through errant electrical signals.
An art installation titled, "Revivification," sees researchers perform quasi-ressurection on DNA from recently deceased composer Alvian Lucier, creating a brain-like entity that continuously creates music through errant electrical signals.
April 14, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Rare non-coffee related news that I need to talk about:
An art installation titled, "Revivification," sees researchers perform quasi-ressurection on DNA from recently deceased composer Alvian Lucier, creating a brain-like entity that continuously creates music through errant electrical signals.
An art installation titled, "Revivification," sees researchers perform quasi-ressurection on DNA from recently deceased composer Alvian Lucier, creating a brain-like entity that continuously creates music through errant electrical signals.
Ya know... I think they finally figured it out... The cafe space will definitely feel more enjoyable when every semblance of self-expression is gone. Interchangeable, identical, coffee making drones is really what makes the space. #coffeesky
April 14, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Ya know... I think they finally figured it out... The cafe space will definitely feel more enjoyable when every semblance of self-expression is gone. Interchangeable, identical, coffee making drones is really what makes the space. #coffeesky
Reposted by Klave
What’s the point in learning about coffee’s history and oppressive systems if we don’t use what we learn to better the industry?
#specialtycoffee #coffeepeople #coffeelife #coffeesky
#specialtycoffee #coffeepeople #coffeelife #coffeesky
April 5, 2025 at 9:15 PM
What’s the point in learning about coffee’s history and oppressive systems if we don’t use what we learn to better the industry?
#specialtycoffee #coffeepeople #coffeelife #coffeesky
#specialtycoffee #coffeepeople #coffeelife #coffeesky
Reposted by Klave
use water in your coffee machine to brew coffee
February 5, 2025 at 12:53 AM
use water in your coffee machine to brew coffee
I was going to post about Bialetti being acquired by Nuo; "rejoice! Non-world-ending news in coffee" but then remembered that the new Chinese tariffs may affect sales in the US. And research on that led me down a rabbithole of outsourced labor and AI journalism. Needless to say, depressed again ☕
February 3, 2025 at 1:12 AM
I was going to post about Bialetti being acquired by Nuo; "rejoice! Non-world-ending news in coffee" but then remembered that the new Chinese tariffs may affect sales in the US. And research on that led me down a rabbithole of outsourced labor and AI journalism. Needless to say, depressed again ☕
Reposted by Klave
An Aeropress (or similar) in a cup holder, my friend 🍵
February 2, 2025 at 8:11 PM
An Aeropress (or similar) in a cup holder, my friend 🍵
On top of this, 25% tariffs on Canadian imports (with threats of trade war) may see a decline in Swiss Water Process decaf coffees, as well.
Trump signed into effect 25% tariffs on Mexican imports. We could see a nationwide decrease in Mexican coffees available in shops, including Mountain Water Process decaf coffees no matter where they originated.
#coffeesky
#coffeesky
February 2, 2025 at 12:54 AM
On top of this, 25% tariffs on Canadian imports (with threats of trade war) may see a decline in Swiss Water Process decaf coffees, as well.
Trump signed into effect 25% tariffs on Mexican imports. We could see a nationwide decrease in Mexican coffees available in shops, including Mountain Water Process decaf coffees no matter where they originated.
#coffeesky
#coffeesky
February 2, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Trump signed into effect 25% tariffs on Mexican imports. We could see a nationwide decrease in Mexican coffees available in shops, including Mountain Water Process decaf coffees no matter where they originated.
#coffeesky
#coffeesky
Only 5% of the world's coffee farmers are under age 35. Most countries have an average of 50-60 years old. Young people don't want to work on coffee farms; there's no money in it, farmers are barely paid at operating costs, and coffee's dying anyway. There's no future in it it seems. #coffeesky
The most recent projection is sometime between 2030-2050, we will lose 50% of coffee producing land to increasing temperatures. 60% of wild coffee species are threatened by extinction due to climate change, deforestation, and disease.
#coffeesky #climatechange
#coffeesky #climatechange
February 1, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Only 5% of the world's coffee farmers are under age 35. Most countries have an average of 50-60 years old. Young people don't want to work on coffee farms; there's no money in it, farmers are barely paid at operating costs, and coffee's dying anyway. There's no future in it it seems. #coffeesky
Reposted by Klave
just bought 400lb of avocados before tariffs start. I'm set for the year as long as they don't go bad.
January 31, 2025 at 9:50 PM
just bought 400lb of avocados before tariffs start. I'm set for the year as long as they don't go bad.
Reposted by Klave
Robusta needs more water than Arabica. In a webinar, Indian farmers shared a solution: grafting Eugenioides roots system onto Robusta and Excelsa trees, allowing deeper water access and reducing irrigation needs.
Could this be the way forward? Or at least one of many needed?
Could this be the way forward? Or at least one of many needed?
January 31, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Robusta needs more water than Arabica. In a webinar, Indian farmers shared a solution: grafting Eugenioides roots system onto Robusta and Excelsa trees, allowing deeper water access and reducing irrigation needs.
Could this be the way forward? Or at least one of many needed?
Could this be the way forward? Or at least one of many needed?
The most recent projection is sometime between 2030-2050, we will lose 50% of coffee producing land to increasing temperatures. 60% of wild coffee species are threatened by extinction due to climate change, deforestation, and disease.
#coffeesky #climatechange
#coffeesky #climatechange
January 31, 2025 at 2:59 PM
The most recent projection is sometime between 2030-2050, we will lose 50% of coffee producing land to increasing temperatures. 60% of wild coffee species are threatened by extinction due to climate change, deforestation, and disease.
#coffeesky #climatechange
#coffeesky #climatechange
You cannot enact new policies without having proper protocol in place first.
In other words, don't expect people to do things right if you don't know how you want them to do things.
In other words, don't expect people to do things right if you don't know how you want them to do things.
January 31, 2025 at 2:46 PM
You cannot enact new policies without having proper protocol in place first.
In other words, don't expect people to do things right if you don't know how you want them to do things.
In other words, don't expect people to do things right if you don't know how you want them to do things.
The coffee industry was built on slavery and continues to utilize forms thereof. Unfortunately, many times it goes unseen or unnoticed. Without a monumental shift within the industry this practice will continue. The first step in changing it is educating yourself.
January 28, 2025 at 3:21 AM
The coffee industry was built on slavery and continues to utilize forms thereof. Unfortunately, many times it goes unseen or unnoticed. Without a monumental shift within the industry this practice will continue. The first step in changing it is educating yourself.
Reposted by Klave
well Australia will have Colombia's coffee thank you very much, also we don't burn the crap out of it and put it in a drip as a rule because it isn't 1977.
January 27, 2025 at 1:52 AM
well Australia will have Colombia's coffee thank you very much, also we don't burn the crap out of it and put it in a drip as a rule because it isn't 1977.
On top of the coffee stuff,
-mass deportations
-travel bans
-visa revocations
-inclusion of "allies and
supporters"
is incredibly scary stuff.
-mass deportations
-travel bans
-visa revocations
-inclusion of "allies and
supporters"
is incredibly scary stuff.
January 27, 2025 at 1:19 AM
On top of the coffee stuff,
-mass deportations
-travel bans
-visa revocations
-inclusion of "allies and
supporters"
is incredibly scary stuff.
-mass deportations
-travel bans
-visa revocations
-inclusion of "allies and
supporters"
is incredibly scary stuff.
42.9% of Colombia's coffee exports go to the US, their largest buyer. On top of that, the US is Colombia's #1 export destination (25.8%) and import origin (26.4%) overall. [data reported by the Observatory of Economic Complexity as of 2022]
January 27, 2025 at 12:58 AM
42.9% of Colombia's coffee exports go to the US, their largest buyer. On top of that, the US is Colombia's #1 export destination (25.8%) and import origin (26.4%) overall. [data reported by the Observatory of Economic Complexity as of 2022]
Reposted by Klave
It is fn bonkers that in 24 hours we've gone from "Trump called again for taking over Greenland and Canada, plus made explicit designs about ethnic cleansing of Palestinians" to "there's a trade war (basically on coffee) launched on socials because Colombia wouldn't let the president be racist."
January 27, 2025 at 12:15 AM
It is fn bonkers that in 24 hours we've gone from "Trump called again for taking over Greenland and Canada, plus made explicit designs about ethnic cleansing of Palestinians" to "there's a trade war (basically on coffee) launched on socials because Colombia wouldn't let the president be racist."
Savouring the last of this coffee even more now that it may be my last. #coffeesky #news
In retaliation against Colombia not accepting his cruel deportation flights, Trump has announced several sanctions, including, but not limited to:
In retaliation against Colombia not accepting his cruel deportation flights, Trump has announced several sanctions, including, but not limited to:
January 27, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Savouring the last of this coffee even more now that it may be my last. #coffeesky #news
In retaliation against Colombia not accepting his cruel deportation flights, Trump has announced several sanctions, including, but not limited to:
In retaliation against Colombia not accepting his cruel deportation flights, Trump has announced several sanctions, including, but not limited to:
When coffee first came to Europe, people were expected to "whitened" coffee w/ milk, symbolically distancing it from its African origins. It was more than a preference, it was appropriation.
While you can add cream, try coffee black first, like tasting food before seasoning. #coffeesky #history
While you can add cream, try coffee black first, like tasting food before seasoning. #coffeesky #history
January 26, 2025 at 4:16 AM
When coffee first came to Europe, people were expected to "whitened" coffee w/ milk, symbolically distancing it from its African origins. It was more than a preference, it was appropriation.
While you can add cream, try coffee black first, like tasting food before seasoning. #coffeesky #history
While you can add cream, try coffee black first, like tasting food before seasoning. #coffeesky #history
Reposted by Klave
All I’m saying is, if Pluto were orbiting Jupiter it would be the fifth most interesting moon of Jupiter.
January 24, 2025 at 3:04 PM
All I’m saying is, if Pluto were orbiting Jupiter it would be the fifth most interesting moon of Jupiter.
Coffee prices are finally rising after a 50 year bout of stability. Unfortunately, theyre rising in a way that doesn't benefit farmers. My hope is that prices get so high, the industry has to rethink the way they set prices for coffee and allow the farmers to set the price. #coffeesky #business
January 24, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Coffee prices are finally rising after a 50 year bout of stability. Unfortunately, theyre rising in a way that doesn't benefit farmers. My hope is that prices get so high, the industry has to rethink the way they set prices for coffee and allow the farmers to set the price. #coffeesky #business
Jinotega is responsible for 80% of Nicaraguan coffee exports. It may also be the most war-torn area of the country, due to Spanish Colonization, corrupt dictatorships, and American imperialism. #coffeesky #endcolonialism
January 24, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Jinotega is responsible for 80% of Nicaraguan coffee exports. It may also be the most war-torn area of the country, due to Spanish Colonization, corrupt dictatorships, and American imperialism. #coffeesky #endcolonialism
Coffee workers face serious health risks like carpal tunnel, bursitis, deafness, & even cancer due to poor ergonomics, repetitive tasks, loud machinery, and chemical exposure. Most of these injuries & conditions can be avoided or minimized through proper instruction and care. #coffeesky #work #meme
January 23, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Coffee workers face serious health risks like carpal tunnel, bursitis, deafness, & even cancer due to poor ergonomics, repetitive tasks, loud machinery, and chemical exposure. Most of these injuries & conditions can be avoided or minimized through proper instruction and care. #coffeesky #work #meme