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#007 - Latitude vs. Altitude. How Nature Imposes its Characteristics on Coffee.
The area available for producing coffee is very limited, restricted by weather conditions. Arabica coffee is produced at high altitudes. Robusta coffee is produced at low altitudes. That is widely known… But why? And what is the impact of latitude and altitude on quality, yields and prices? Arabica is only produced in regions that present stable temperatures, rainfall and 12-hour daylight. Deviations result in worse conditions and risks, such as frost or vulnerability to pes
Renato Stivanin
Jan 183 min read


#006 - Coffee is not a commodity. How can it be so different from soybeans, wheat or corn?
What makes coffee so special compared to other agricultural products? Unlike soybeans, wheat, corn or sugar - those powerhouse soft commodities shipped in massive bulk quantities - coffee is really special. It's not about volume; it's about flavor, origin, and story. There are regional quirks, growing demand for traceability, and the fascinating history of how it's been transported. These methods have evolved to improve your cup tasting. Soybeans being transported in bulk f
Renato Stivanin
Jan 113 min read


#005 - Tropical Rains, Climate Change and Coffee Prices. What To Watch?
January is a key month for coffee prices… Diving into the world of specialty coffee, we find a supply chain really fragile and exposed to climate change. It is widely known that Brazil is the main producer of coffee beans. However, few people realize that the production of high quality Arabica is concentrated in a small region. And that the rains of January and February are crucial to the beans’ formation. High-quality Arabica coffee beans are fragile and thrive in specific
Renato Stivanin
Jan 43 min read


#004 - How Do Farmers Choose Between Producing Honey, Washed or Natural Coffee Beans?
The three main coffee processing methods are widely known. However, it is fascinating how producers are subject to cultural factors - such as labour, water availability and cost of capital - when choosing its processing method. The processing methods differ in how to handle the coffee cherries after the harvest: Honey processing involves the fermentation of the cherries in sealed environments, before de-pulping and drying. It allows a manipulated flavor. It demands expensiv
Renato Stivanin
Dec 28, 20252 min read
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