specialty coffee

Flavor as the common thread for coffee quality along the value chain

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Coffee cupping prep ©2019 Decisive Moment, NCA Convention

The role of cupping in specialty coffee

By Mario R. Fernández-Alduenda, The Coffee Quality Institute
Excerpted from The Sustainable Cultivation of Coffee
Discount available for NCA members

The popularity of coffee is still growing, but the definition of what makes a ‘good’ cup of coffee is complex.

It might be tempting to think that it is largely subjective, with so many types of coffee grown around the world, so many processes to consider throughout the value chain, and so many local and national preferences.

However, the sustainability of the industry depends on the value placed on certain types of coffee. Local economies can thrive or fail, depending on the desirability of their crop.

The growing preference for ‘specialty’ coffee, sold at a premium price, is making the quality question even more critical. The ability to distinguish specific characteristics that make some crops more desirable than standard commercial coffee has become a major consideration over the last 20 years.

Physical characteristics of the bean or cherry are not good indicators of flavor in the cup, so how is this important choice to be made?

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Infographic: What’s Brewing in 2019

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Highlights from NCA market research on coffee consumption trends in the US

NCA National Coffee Data Trends (NCDT) Consumer Insights at a Glance

via Dig Insights

For yet another brew-tiful year, Dig Insights has partnered with the NCA to create five new consumer insight reports, to supplement the annual NCDT market tracking research:

  • Single-Cup Brewing
  • Coffee and Gen Z
  • In and Out of Home Coffee Consumption
  • Understanding Attitudes Towards Coffee
  • Cold Brew and Ready-to-Drink

Explore some highlighted insights from each of the mini reports below – and NCA members can check out the on-demand webinar, Single Cup & Consumer Insight Reports, featuring Cheryl Hung, Dig Insights VP.

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Infographic: Sustainability Sells

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Shoppers are expected to spend an estimated $150 billion on sustainable products by 2021

via Nielsen

While we expect sustainable-minded shoppers to spend up to $150 billion on sustainable products by 2021, sustainability is starting to drive gains in everything from resource management to product packaging.

Here’s a glimpse into the myriad ways in which companies are embracing sustainability (and outperforming) along the way.

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What a Cup of Coffee Really Costs

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specialty coffee shop
Gourmet coffee consumption reached over 50 percent for the first time in 2019, according to the NCA 2019 Coffee Data Trends Report

The price of a pound of coffee beans may be dropping fast, but that doesn’t mean consumers will get a break on the cost of their morning brew.

Edited excerpt – read the full post at MarketWatch

By Jeanette Settembre

A pound of wholesale arabica coffee beans has been selling for under $1 since March, the lowest price point in more than a decade. One pound of ground coffee will make about 48 cups.

But experts say consumers will still be paying the same price for a cup of coffee or latte in stores and cafes. While wholesale coffee prices have been dropping, coffee prices for consumers have actually been going up.

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NCA Member Spotlight: JNP Coffee

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Photo: JNP Coffee

COMPANY: JNP Coffee
LOCATION: USA & Burundi
NCA MEMBER SINCE: 2018
TWITTER: @jnpcoffee
FACEBOOK: /JNPCOFFEELLC
INSTAGRAM: @jnpcoffee

Read more NCA member spotlights, or check out our complete list of members

What does JNP Coffee do?

We trade the very best East African specialty coffee from Burundi, while empowering women farmers with technical knowledge and unparalleled bonus/premium payments.

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Infographic: The Growth of Gourmet Coffee Among Ethnic Consumers

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hanging consumer behaviors and perceptions are creating new opportunities for the coffee industry – especially in cold brew and RTD.

While US daily coffee consumption remained fairly stable in 2019 (64%), we’re seeing a dynamic shift in what types of beverages we’re drinking. 

The NCA 2019 National Coffee Data Trends (NCDT) showed that Hispanic-Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans are driving growth in key segments of the coffee market – including gourmet, ready-to-drink, and cold brew.

Understanding the types of beverages that are growing in popularity among these ethnic groups (and the perceptions behind the behavior) may offer new opportunities for the coffee industry to connect and reach more diverse consumers. 

Get more insights into this key market trend in the infographic below:

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How Can the NCA Serve Your Coffee Business?

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By Theresa (Terri) Bartlett, NCA Director of Membership

We’re introducing an easier way to pay for small businesses, coffee shops, and independent roasters — and brewing some big-picture benefits.

If you are a small coffee shop operator (ten units or less) or a micro-roastery (5,000 bags a year or fewer), then you are probably already burning the candle at both ends. 

You’re primarily focused on the “basics” – day-to-day challenges like keeping the doors open and the lights burning – even as you are looking down the road at growth opportunities.

The bottom line? Above all, resources are tight.

This is why we’re rolling out an easier way to access National Coffee Association resources – to better serve you. (We’re also offering a special prorated offer on 2019 dues, so you can pick the plan that’s right for you.)

Because while you’re minding the store, we’re minding the big picture:

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Collective Action: An Opportunity For the Entire Coffee Industry

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Miguel Zamora at the National Coffee Association Convention. ©2019 Decisive Moment

The power of pre-competitive collaboration to address labor issues at origin.

By Miguel Zamora, Director, Core Markets at Rainforest Alliance & member of the Sustainable Coffee Challenge Advisory Council

View the original post on LinkedIn

The coffee industry depends on the work of millions of workers who arrive to coffee farms all over the world during the harvest to pick coffee. Labor represents the largest portion of cost of production for coffee farming all over the world.

Although they represent millions and are key to the production of coffee, as an industry, we do not understand their situation, challenges, and opportunities enough.

That’s not only wrong, but a big risk for coffee.

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“Why Gender?”

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“Gender in Coffee: A Documentary”

A new documentary offers a profoundly human perspective on gender equity and the coffee industry.

Join the National Coffee Association for a special screening hosted by the Coffee Quality Institute on April 4 in New York City. Learn more

What does gender equity mean for a coffee family, a roaster or a coffee drinker?

How do we relate to and connect with one another around the same passion for coffee?

“Gender in Coffee: A Documentary” opens up the conversation about the importance of gender equality for the sustainability of the industry.

Filmmakers Xavier Hamon and Hannah Stapleton followed the story of women and men involved in the production, transformation and consumption of coffee between January and March 2017.

Here, watch a preview of the resulting film:

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Science Says That Coffee Is A Good Idea

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Just the thought of coffee can help perk up your brain, science suggests

Just looking at something that reminds us of coffee may cause our minds to become more alert and attentive, according to a new study.

According to the NCA 2019 National Coffee Drinking Trends report, 57% of consumers say that they drink coffee because it helps them focus.

It seems that they’re on to something – and you may not even need to take a sip to get a similar psychological effect, according to new research from the University of Toronto.

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