Latest publications
-
10 min readHome RoastingKaffelogic Nano 7: Everything You Need to Know
Whether you have just bought a Kaffelogic or you are considering one, this guide covers setup, the built-in profiles including...
Kaffelogic Nano 7: Everything You Need to Know
Whether you have just bought a Kaffelogic or you are considering one, this guide covers setup, the built-in profiles including altitude-matched options, how levels work, the Studio software, the BOOST...
-
4 min readHow colonialism built Kenya's coffee industry
Coffee isn't native to Kenya - even though the country shares a border with Ethiopia, where arabica originated, and Uganda,...
How colonialism built Kenya's coffee industry
Coffee isn't native to Kenya - even though the country shares a border with Ethiopia, where arabica originated, and Uganda, home of robusta. It was introduced in 1893, most likely...
-
8 min readGreen Coffee BasicsCoffee Cupping: How to Cup Coffee at Home
Cupping is the most reliable way to evaluate your roasts and the green coffee you buy. Here's how to set...
Coffee Cupping: How to Cup Coffee at Home
Cupping is the most reliable way to evaluate your roasts and the green coffee you buy. Here's how to set it up at home - the method, what to taste...
-
9 min readCommercial RoastingHow to Blend Coffee: A Practical Guide for Home and Small-Batch Roasters
Blending is one of the most useful and most underrated skills in roasting. Here's how to decide between pre-roast and...
How to Blend Coffee: A Practical Guide for Home and Small-Batch Roasters
Blending is one of the most useful and most underrated skills in roasting. Here's how to decide between pre-roast and post-roast blending, how many components to use, which coffees work...
All Articles
4-5 min read
Coffee and the development trap: why the system was built to keep value elsewhere
What is dependency theory? Dependency theory emerged in the 1960s and 1970s as a response to the idea that “development”...
Coffee and the development trap: why the system was built to keep value elsewhere
What is dependency theory? Dependency theory emerged in the 1960s and 1970s as a response to the idea that “development” simply meant following the economic path of wealthier nations. Thinkers such...
6 min read
Climate migration and the future of coffee: how climate change is displacing coffee farmers
Climate change is no longer a distant threat for coffee producers. Across Central America, rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and new...
Climate migration and the future of coffee: how climate change is displacing coffee farmers
Climate change is no longer a distant threat for coffee producers. Across Central America, rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and new waves of pests are dismantling the foundations of one of...
7 min read
Why F1 hybrids might define the future of coffee
Why coffee needs new genetics Coffee’s gene pool is worryingly narrow. Studies suggest that almost all Coffea arabica plants today...
Why F1 hybrids might define the future of coffee
Why coffee needs new genetics Coffee’s gene pool is worryingly narrow. Studies suggest that almost all Coffea arabica plants today trace back to a single ancestor that evolved around 10–20,000...
6-7 min read
Why coffee breaks the rule of the resource curse
The idea that natural resources create conflict is well known. Economists call it the resource curse - when commodities like...
Why coffee breaks the rule of the resource curse
The idea that natural resources create conflict is well known. Economists call it the resource curse - when commodities like oil or diamonds fuel corruption, inequality, and violence instead of...
6-7 min read
How genocide broke Rwanda’s backbone crop
Coffee is part of Rwanda’s national story. By the late twentieth century it was the country’s main source of foreign exchange...
How genocide broke Rwanda’s backbone crop
Coffee is part of Rwanda’s national story. By the late twentieth century it was the country’s main source of foreign exchange and the cash income for hundreds of thousands of smallholders....
6-7 min read
September Unfiltered - A few pricing tweaks, a new resource hub, and why we’re skipping Black Friday
Welcome to this month’s Unfiltered. The biggest focus this month has been pricing. Not the most exciting topic, I know -...
September Unfiltered - A few pricing tweaks, a new resource hub, and why we’re skipping Black Friday
Welcome to this month’s Unfiltered. The biggest focus this month has been pricing. Not the most exciting topic, I know - but a really important one. At the heart of it...
4 min read
Congo’s conflict and coffee: a fragile future
The Democratic Republic of Congo is more often associated with conflict than coffee. Yet the country’s conditions for Arabica and Robusta...
Congo’s conflict and coffee: a fragile future
The Democratic Republic of Congo is more often associated with conflict than coffee. Yet the country’s conditions for Arabica and Robusta are remarkable. In the 1980s, coffee was second only to copper as the...
3 min read
Excelsa: coffee’s overlooked alternative
A changing landscape Speciality coffee has been built around Arabica, but the cracks are showing. Climate change is pushing temperatures...
Excelsa: coffee’s overlooked alternative
A changing landscape Speciality coffee has been built around Arabica, but the cracks are showing. Climate change is pushing temperatures higher, rainfall is less predictable, and pests and diseases are...
4 min read
Financing coffee’s future: why access to credit matters
Innovation in coffee is often talked about in terms of processing or varietals, but behind every experiment lies a more...
Financing coffee’s future: why access to credit matters
Innovation in coffee is often talked about in terms of processing or varietals, but behind every experiment lies a more fundamental question: can producers afford to take the risk? For...
4 min read
Myanmar’s fragile journey from opium to coffee
Myanmar is beginning to make its mark in the specialty coffee world. Coffees from Shan State have reached international buyers,...
Myanmar’s fragile journey from opium to coffee
Myanmar is beginning to make its mark in the specialty coffee world. Coffees from Shan State have reached international buyers, showing both quality and potential. But this story is fragile....
4-5 min read
Monoculture vs intercropping – what’s in it for coffee farmers?
The way coffee is grown has a direct impact on the quality in the cup, the livelihoods of farmers, and...
Monoculture vs intercropping – what’s in it for coffee farmers?
The way coffee is grown has a direct impact on the quality in the cup, the livelihoods of farmers, and the long-term health of the land. For decades, large-scale monoculture...
7-9 min
July Unfiltered – What’s changing behind the scenes
A Slightly Late Edition This month’s Unfiltered is running a little behind and, in true behind-the-scenes fashion, here’s why. As some of...
July Unfiltered – What’s changing behind the scenes
A Slightly Late Edition This month’s Unfiltered is running a little behind and, in true behind-the-scenes fashion, here’s why. As some of you know, our sister business, Omwani Coffee, supplies a good...
4 min read
How China is reshaping coffee trade as both a buyer and a producer
Global coffee trade is no longer defined only by traditional producing and consuming countries. China is emerging as both at...
How China is reshaping coffee trade as both a buyer and a producer
Global coffee trade is no longer defined only by traditional producing and consuming countries. China is emerging as both at the same time, with a domestic market growing at unprecedented...
5-6 min read
Does higher elevation mean better coffee?
In today’s email, we’re digging into a common belief in the coffee world: that higher elevation equals higher quality. It’s...
Does higher elevation mean better coffee?
In today’s email, we’re digging into a common belief in the coffee world: that higher elevation equals higher quality. It’s a phrase you’ll see on labels, hear in cupping rooms,...
3.5 min read
Brazilian port delays: what’s behind the shipping bottleneck?
In recent months, Brazil’s coffee export industry has been hit by significant delays at its ports, leaving containers stranded and...
Brazilian port delays: what’s behind the shipping bottleneck?
In recent months, Brazil’s coffee export industry has been hit by significant delays at its ports, leaving containers stranded and shipments delayed. This isn’t just a logistical challenge - it’s a...
7 min read
Kaffelogic vs Ikawa: A Roaster’s Deep Dive
When it comes to choosing a home roasting machine, the sky really does seem the limit… and with countless options...
Kaffelogic vs Ikawa: A Roaster’s Deep Dive
When it comes to choosing a home roasting machine, the sky really does seem the limit… and with countless options and even more opinions online, it’s easy to get overwhelmed....
6 min read
A climate fix - or another burden on the Global South? The EUDR and smallholder coffee
The EU’s new deforestation regulation is ambitious - and overdue. It aims to stop products linked to forest loss from...
A climate fix - or another burden on the Global South? The EUDR and smallholder coffee
The EU’s new deforestation regulation is ambitious - and overdue. It aims to stop products linked to forest loss from entering the European market, including coffee. In theory, it’s a...
4 min read
How fair is Fairtrade, really?
Fairtrade was created to ensure buyers in wealthier countries paid fair prices to farmers in developing ones. The idea was...
How fair is Fairtrade, really?
Fairtrade was created to ensure buyers in wealthier countries paid fair prices to farmers in developing ones. The idea was simple: better pay, decent working conditions, and more stable trade...
5 min read
With USAID freezing funds, producers are left in a tough spot
Coffee is a deeply political crop. It’s used to build national identity, attract investment, and shape how countries engage on...
With USAID freezing funds, producers are left in a tough spot
Coffee is a deeply political crop. It’s used to build national identity, attract investment, and shape how countries engage on the world stage. For many producing nations, coffee is tied...
3 min read
Why producers take risks on varietals and processes
The choices that shape your cup often start years before a harvest. For producers, deciding what varietal to plant or...
Why producers take risks on varietals and processes
The choices that shape your cup often start years before a harvest. For producers, deciding what varietal to plant or which processing method to use isn’t just about flavour. It’s...
9 min read
Unfiltered: Angry event organisers, broken weighers, and a community first
Welcome back to Unfiltered, our monthly behind-the-scenes series where we share what’s really happening at Green Coffee Collective. This isn’t...
Unfiltered: Angry event organisers, broken weighers, and a community first
Welcome back to Unfiltered, our monthly behind-the-scenes series where we share what’s really happening at Green Coffee Collective. This isn’t about polished announcements or perfect outcomes. It’s about being honest...
3 min read
The paradox of tariffs: How Trump unwittingly boosted Mexican coffee
Trump’s controversial tariffs have stolen the headlines across the globe for weeks now, but what does it mean for speciality...
The paradox of tariffs: How Trump unwittingly boosted Mexican coffee
Trump’s controversial tariffs have stolen the headlines across the globe for weeks now, but what does it mean for speciality coffee? And specifically, for Mexico’s coffee world? We sat down...
4-5 min read
How Coffee Producers Are Adapting in a Changing Industry
It’s easy to focus on the problems in coffee right now - and there are plenty. Factors such as poor...
How Coffee Producers Are Adapting in a Changing Industry
It’s easy to focus on the problems in coffee right now - and there are plenty. Factors such as poor harvests, rising fertiliser costs, climate impacts, labour shortages and market...
2 min read
Why does coffee get smuggled in East Africa?
In East Africa, informal cross-border trade in coffee is common. It’s driven by structural imbalances in pricing, trade policy, and...
Why does coffee get smuggled in East Africa?
In East Africa, informal cross-border trade in coffee is common. It’s driven by structural imbalances in pricing, trade policy, and access to formal markets. When export costs are high and...
2 min read
Roasting at origin: how African nations are rewriting coffee trade
One of the biggest flaws in the global coffee trade is where the value lands. Those who grow the coffee...
Roasting at origin: how African nations are rewriting coffee trade
One of the biggest flaws in the global coffee trade is where the value lands. Those who grow the coffee see the smallest share of its value - the money...
5-7 Min
The Best Green Coffee Beans for Stovetop brewing : A Buyer’s Guide
Introduction Stovetop brewing at home? The right green coffee beans make all the difference.Whether you're a seasoned home roaster or...
The Best Green Coffee Beans for Stovetop brewing : A Buyer’s Guide
Introduction Stovetop brewing at home? The right green coffee beans make all the difference.Whether you're a seasoned home roaster or just starting out, your choice of green coffee beans has...
2 min read
What does it mean to decolonise the flavour wheel?
The SCA flavour wheel is one of the most widely used tools in the coffee industry. Built on the World Coffee Research sensory...
What does it mean to decolonise the flavour wheel?
The SCA flavour wheel is one of the most widely used tools in the coffee industry. Built on the World Coffee Research sensory lexicon, it reflects years of work from scientists, coffee buyers,...
5 min read
Unfiltered: Referrals, Subscriptions & A Few Hard-Learned Lessons
Welcome to Unfiltered — a new monthly series where we take you behind the scenes at Green Coffee Collective. It’s...
Unfiltered: Referrals, Subscriptions & A Few Hard-Learned Lessons
Welcome to Unfiltered — a new monthly series where we take you behind the scenes at Green Coffee Collective. It’s our way of being more open about what we’re building,...
3 min read
Will Asia become a bigger market for Central and South American coffee under Trump’s tariffs?
Trump’s tariffs are shaking up the coffee trade, forcing producers in Central and South America to look beyond the US....
Will Asia become a bigger market for Central and South American coffee under Trump’s tariffs?
Trump’s tariffs are shaking up the coffee trade, forcing producers in Central and South America to look beyond the US. With Asia’s demand growing, could this be the start of...
7 min read
Unique Coffee Varietals To Look Out For in 2025
What makes certain coffee varietals unique? There are thousands of different coffee varietals being cultivated throughout the world, with new...
Unique Coffee Varietals To Look Out For in 2025
What makes certain coffee varietals unique? There are thousands of different coffee varietals being cultivated throughout the world, with new specimens being developed and researched every day. While there are...
6 min read
‘Classic Origins, Unusual Tastes’: An Insight into our March Subscription
This month’s subscription explores three of the world’s classic coffee origins—Brazil, Kenya, and Guatemala. These regions are known for their...
‘Classic Origins, Unusual Tastes’: An Insight into our March Subscription
This month’s subscription explores three of the world’s classic coffee origins—Brazil, Kenya, and Guatemala. These regions are known for their long-standing influence on the coffee industry, each with a distinct...
2 min read
How a Crisis in Costa Rica Gave the World Honey-Processed Coffee
Honey processing sits between washed and natural processing, striking a balance between sweetness, body, and clarity. Instead of fully washing...
How a Crisis in Costa Rica Gave the World Honey-Processed Coffee
Honey processing sits between washed and natural processing, striking a balance between sweetness, body, and clarity. Instead of fully washing away the sticky mucilage—the sticky layer surrounding the bean—producers leave...
2 min read
Why is Geisha so trendy right now?
In the speciality world, there currently seems to be two opposing views: one is that the pinnacle of speciality coffee...
Why is Geisha so trendy right now?
In the speciality world, there currently seems to be two opposing views: one is that the pinnacle of speciality coffee is experimental processing - carbonic maceration, co-ferments, yeast inoculation - while others...
7 min read
Mastering Coffee Roasting: Expert Tips from Heartland Coffee’s Nath Prosser
Nath Prosser, Managing Director of Heartland Coffee Roasters, shares his expert insights on achieving the perfect roast every time. From...
Mastering Coffee Roasting: Expert Tips from Heartland Coffee’s Nath Prosser
Nath Prosser, Managing Director of Heartland Coffee Roasters, shares his expert insights on achieving the perfect roast every time. From trusting your taste over trends to understanding roasting curves, sourcing...
10 min read
Inside Guatemala’s speciality coffee industry
We chat with Javier Gutierrez Abril, founder of Caribbean Goods and our Guatemalan sourcing partner, about the realities faced by...
Inside Guatemala’s speciality coffee industry
We chat with Javier Gutierrez Abril, founder of Caribbean Goods and our Guatemalan sourcing partner, about the realities faced by small-holder farmers in the country. It produces some of the...
8 mins
How to master roasting on an Aillio Bullet
Choosing a home coffee roaster can seem daunting, but there’s one which – according to Harmony Coffee founder Ben...
How to master roasting on an Aillio Bullet
Choosing a home coffee roaster can seem daunting, but there’s one which – according to Harmony Coffee founder Ben Rowe – stands above the rest as an all-rounder which...
7 min read
Racemosa coffee: introducing the ‘World’s Rarest Coffee’
We chat to coffee grower and certified Q grader, Charles Denison, who is makingwaves in the speciality coffee industry with...
Racemosa coffee: introducing the ‘World’s Rarest Coffee’
We chat to coffee grower and certified Q grader, Charles Denison, who is makingwaves in the speciality coffee industry with the production of a very rare species inSouth Africa.
9 min read
From Beans To Business: How To Start A Coffee Roasting Business
Starting a coffee roasting business merges creativity and commerce, offering the chance to turn your passion for coffee into a...
From Beans To Business: How To Start A Coffee Roasting Business
Starting a coffee roasting business merges creativity and commerce, offering the chance to turn your passion for coffee into a thriving enterprise. With coffee consumption continuing to rise globally—2.2 billion...
9 min read
Home Roasting
Roasting Coffee Beans at Home: Everything You Need to Get Started and Keep Improving
A complete guide to roasting coffee beans at home - covering every no-machine method from oven to air fryer, with...
Roasting Coffee Beans at Home: Everything You Need to Get Started and Keep Improving
A complete guide to roasting coffee beans at home - covering every no-machine method from oven to air fryer, with step-by-step instructions, roast level guidance, and everything you need to...
5-7 Min
The Best Green Coffee Beans for Siphon Brewing: A Buyer’s Guide
Introduction Siphon Brewing at home? The right green coffee beans make all the difference. When it comes to siphon brewing,...
The Best Green Coffee Beans for Siphon Brewing: A Buyer’s Guide
Introduction Siphon Brewing at home? The right green coffee beans make all the difference. When it comes to siphon brewing, precision is everything, and that starts with the green coffee...
5-7 Min
The Best Green Coffee Beans for Fruity Filter Brewing: A Buyer’s Guide
Introduction Fruity Filter Brewing at home? The right green coffee beans make all the difference. Whether you're a small-batch home...
The Best Green Coffee Beans for Fruity Filter Brewing: A Buyer’s Guide
Introduction Fruity Filter Brewing at home? The right green coffee beans make all the difference. Whether you're a small-batch home roaster or a seasoned professional, the path to vibrant, fruit-forward...
5-7 Min
The Best Green Coffee Beans for Cold Brew: A Buyer’s Guide
Introduction Cold Brew at home? The right green coffee beans make all the difference. Cold brew’s rising popularity is no...
The Best Green Coffee Beans for Cold Brew: A Buyer’s Guide
Introduction Cold Brew at home? The right green coffee beans make all the difference. Cold brew’s rising popularity is no surprise; its smooth, refreshing flavour and lower acidity have made...
5-7 Min
The Best Green Coffee Beans for Pour Over Brewing: A Buyer’s Guide
Introduction Pour Over Brewing at home? The right green coffee beans make all the difference. Whether you're just getting started...
The Best Green Coffee Beans for Pour Over Brewing: A Buyer’s Guide
Introduction Pour Over Brewing at home? The right green coffee beans make all the difference. Whether you're just getting started or refining your pour-over technique, the flavour in your cup...
5-7 Min
The Best Green Coffee Beans for Milk-Based Espresso: A Buyer’s Guide
Introduction Milk-Based Espresso at Home? The Right Green Coffee Beans Make All the Difference.Choosing the right green coffee beans is...
The Best Green Coffee Beans for Milk-Based Espresso: A Buyer’s Guide
Introduction Milk-Based Espresso at Home? The Right Green Coffee Beans Make All the Difference.Choosing the right green coffee beans is the key to making a great milk-based espresso, whether you're...
5-7 Min
The Best Green Coffee Beans for Black Espresso: A Buyer’s Guide
Introduction Black Espresso at home? The right green coffee beans make all the difference. Whether you're a seasoned professional or...
The Best Green Coffee Beans for Black Espresso: A Buyer’s Guide
Introduction Black Espresso at home? The right green coffee beans make all the difference. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a passionate home roaster, the foundation of a rich, balanced...
5-7 Min
The Best Green Coffee Beans for Mild Filter Brewing: A Buyer’s Guide
Introduction Mild Filter Brewing at home? The right green coffee beans make all the difference. Whether you're a home roaster...
The Best Green Coffee Beans for Mild Filter Brewing: A Buyer’s Guide
Introduction Mild Filter Brewing at home? The right green coffee beans make all the difference. Whether you're a home roaster perfecting your pour-over or a professional seeking clean, nuanced flavour...
5-7 Min
The Best Green Coffee Beans for Espresso Brewing: A Buyer’s Guide
Introduction Espresso Brewing at home? The right green coffee beans make all the difference. Whether you're a seasoned home roaster,...
The Best Green Coffee Beans for Espresso Brewing: A Buyer’s Guide
Introduction Espresso Brewing at home? The right green coffee beans make all the difference. Whether you're a seasoned home roaster, a professional, or a boutique wholesaler, the journey to a...
5-7 Min
The Best Green Coffee Beans for Aeropress Brewing: A Buyer’s Guide
Introduction Aeropress Brewing at home? The right green coffee beans make all the difference. Whether you're a home roaster perfecting...
The Best Green Coffee Beans for Aeropress Brewing: A Buyer’s Guide
Introduction Aeropress Brewing at home? The right green coffee beans make all the difference. Whether you're a home roaster perfecting your morning cup or a professional seeking clarity and complexity,...
