Coffee could be the most studied beverage on the planet. And it certainly is among the most popular.

While there are plenty that swear it off for one reason or another, the evidence really shouldn’t stand in the way of drinking your daily dose. The article referenced above is typical—quoting some who say coffee is good for you, some who’ll say coffee is bad for you, and still others who’ll admit it might just be a bit of both. Remember it’s mostly about moderation. And be sure to have plenty of uncaffeinated options!

Keep posted here for some more in-depth coverage on the actual research and science behind this.

Might be time to reprint your google maps if you’re headed for Seattle on an espresso tasting mission, as David Schomer’s Espresso Vivace Roasteria and main cafe is headed for new digs. A light-rail construction project forced the upcoming move. Read more about it here. If you’re in Seattle, it’s certainly worth a stop at one of Vivace’s three locations. Sample some impressive espresso—and enjoy the birthplace of US latte art…right in your very own bella tazza.

It took some idealistic students, but Tully’s now offers a fairly traded espresso blend—at one location, anyway.

Fair Trade—like organic, shade grown, rainforest-friendly, bird-friendly and other “official” certifications—is great in theory but suffers from its share of problems and conundrums for both the producers it aims to benefit, and roasters and coffee companies with good intentions.

Check back for an upcoming article on this issue.

All coffee, all the time.

Specialty coffee isn’t the kind of product to get into price wars over. Let me repeat that. High quality coffee is not the kind of product to shave your margins on. Aiming to be the cheapest coffee around means you’re leaving money on the table. It’s simply poor economics. Look at $tarbucks. They understand elasticity of demand, and the fact that espresso based drinks are right up there with filling the tank—fairly inelastic in demand.

Price doesn’t affect demand too much. People keep driving—and drinking coffee—fairly consistently, regardless of what the price does.

Because like gas, there are few, or no, um, viable options. Now if you’re up against this in your market…don’t even go there (unless you absolutely have no choice). If you don’t it won’t be a war. If your competition is willing to dump mochas on your market to gain share; fine. Let them pick up the bottom feeders. You get smart and work on picking up loyal converts by establishing your own niche(s). You don’t have to resort to lowball prices. [Read more →]