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As the publisher of The Coffee Blog (TCB), Southern Africa’s largest coffee blog website, I get inundated with coffee news stories. Friends, readers, and fellow coffee enthusiasts often send me links, thinking they’ve stumbled upon some groundbreaking news that I might have missed. Spoiler alert: I haven’t missed it. Most of these stories are recycled content that’s been circulating for years. So, here’s my list of the five coffee news stories that I never want to read about ever again.
Let’s kick things off with a topic that really grinds my gears: coffee health cheerleading stories. Look, I drink coffee because I love the taste, the aroma, and the ritual. It often makes me feel great, and I enjoy the social aspect of sharing a cup with friends. But do I need to hear about the latest study proclaiming the health benefits of coffee? Absolutely not.
We all have unique responses to coffee and caffeine. These responses vary widely from person to person and can change over time. So, hearing that a majority of individuals in some study experienced a minor health benefit from drinking coffee is meaningless to those of us who are already committed coffee drinkers. We don’t need validation from health studies to enjoy our coffee. So please, spare me the links to articles glorifying the health benefits of coffee. They don’t make a difference to my coffee consumption habits, and I bet they don’t to yours either.
If I never hear about another animal pooping coffee again, it will be too soon. Whether it’s civet cats, birds, elephants, or monkeys, I’m over it. What started as a novelty has turned into a tiresome and often cruel industry.
Years ago, the idea of civet cat coffee, or kopi luwak, was intriguing and even amusing. But now, the stories about these poor animals being forced to eat coffee cherries and then defecate the beans are just sad. Reports of animal cruelty have surfaced, revealing the dark side of this coffee production method. It’s old news, and quite frankly, it’s not funny or interesting anymore. Let’s move on to more humane and sustainable coffee practices, shall we?
Starbucks is worth billions and has mastered the art of getting free publicity. Every few weeks, they release some trivial piece of news, and lazy reporters everywhere jump on it, rearranging the words to publish it as “news.” Meanwhile, small, independent coffee businesses doing genuinely innovative work struggle to get a mention.
The latest Starbucks “news” that hit my inbox was about a $7 cup of coffee. Boring. Independent coffee shops were charging between $9 and $15 for a cup of Panama Esmeralda back in 2008. These shops were sourcing the highest quality micro-lots and paying top dollar for exceptional beans long before Starbucks jumped on the bandwagon. Their mission was to push the envelope in coffee quality, not to create a marketing gimmick.
The reason TCB exists is to empower coffee drinkers to make better coffee at home. We provide tutorials that will teach you how to brew and roast coffee that surpasses anything Starbucks offers. So please, don’t send me any more news about Starbucks, Tully’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, McDonald’s, or any other corporate coffee chains.
When did making coffee become so difficult that we needed pod-based coffee brewers cluttering our counters and break rooms? Automated single-serve machines like Keurig and Nespresso are the enemy of good coffee. They promote the notion that brewing coffee is hard and messy. It’s not.
Good coffee is an art form, and these machines reduce it to a sterile, uninspired process. The result is often mediocre coffee that lacks the depth and complexity of a well-brewed cup. So, let’s ditch the pods and get back to the basics of grinding fresh beans, measuring the right amount, and enjoying the process of making a great cup of coffee. Let’s celebrate the ritual, not the convenience.
In our hyper-connected world, if a coffee news item hits the front page of major news outlets, there’s a good chance I’ve already seen it. Recently, NPR ran a coffee story that must have been shared with me at least seven times within a few days. I think it was about some animal pooping out coffee (see #2).
Before sharing any news item, give your recipient a little credit. Assume they aren’t living under a rock and might have already seen it. The best news items are those that fly under the radar—a fresh angle on coffee that hasn’t been reprinted everywhere. These unique stories are far more interesting than the headline-grabbing coffee news that makes the rounds on major sites.
There you have it—the five coffee news stories that I never want to read about ever again. As coffee enthusiasts, we deserve more than recycled content and sensational headlines. Let’s focus on the real stories, the innovations, and the passion that make the world of coffee so vibrant and exciting.
At The Coffee Blog, we’re committed to bringing you the best of coffee culture, from brewing tips to industry insights. If you’re tired of the same old coffee news and want to dive deeper into the rich world of coffee, join our community. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated with the latest trends, stories, and tips to elevate your coffee experience.
Let’s make every cup count—one authentic coffee story at a time!
Jhett’s earliest coffee love memories involve family road trips where coffee stops were as much a part of the adventure as the destinations themselves. Growing up coffee wasn’t just a drink for him - it fueled the after after party chill sessions or late night gaming. For him The Coffee Blog is about giving back to the coffee community, making it fun and easy to learn about the coffee industry, its about connecting people, and helping them discover new ways to enjoy their favorite brew. Fun Fact: Jhett is still a big-time gamer and loves hosting game nights! “Coffee isn’t just a drink… it’s the perfect excuse to connect with people.”
