Falling Starbucks?

By Alyce Lomax

Will Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX) addicts balk at shelling out a few extra cents for their fixes? That question may be on some people's minds today as The Wall Street Journal reported that a jolt in the price of java is on the menu at Starbucks. Will this put a damper on the coffeehouses' sales?

The WSJ article said that the price hike is expected to be in the 4% to 5% range, adding about a dime per cup to the bill. The article surmised that the higher price "could push Starbucks' luck" and cited market research from Mintel International Group, indicating that about two-thirds of "regular coffeehouse customers" say gourmet takeout coffee is too pricey.

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For the Moderate Drinker, Coffee is Safe

Says Harvard Women's Health Watch

Wednesday September 1, 11:04 am ET

BOSTON, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite 20 years of reassuring research, many people still avoid caffeinated coffee because they worry about its health effects. However, current research reveals that in moderation -- a few cups a day -- coffee is a safe beverage that may even offer some health benefits. The September issue of Harvard Women's Health Watch weighs the pros and cons of this popular beverage and eases the concerns of moderate coffee drinkers.

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Moral grounds: Priest works to help coffee farmers abroad

By Rhina Guidos
The Salt Lake Tribune

Rev. James Flynn enjoys a cup of coffee at a Park City Cafe - Flynn is leading Utah delegation to Nicaragua this fall to learn about the plight of coffee farmers in Latin America. (Ryan Galbraith/The Salt Lake Tribune)

To the semi-retired Roman Catholic priest, even the brown liquid in his coffee cup is a moral issue.

"It's a matter of justice," Flynn says, speaking of the amount of money that coffee farmers in places like Latin America receive for their crops. While coffee companies get $10 per pound of coffee, Flynn says, Latin American farmers get 48 cents a day for their work.

This fall, Flynn will take a delegation of Utahns to coffee plantations in Nicaragua.
And he's encouraging coffee consumers to pick up "fair-trade" labeled coffee, which guarantees farmers will get a fair price for their product.

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My coffee is cold

A brewing system without heat proves it's a contender when it comes to taste

By Jon Bonné
MSNBC

The notion of cold-brewed coffee sounded to us, frankly, weird.

After all, heat seems intrinsic to the coffee process. Why would you possibly want to leave grounds soaking for half a day in an ugly plastic pitcher, like so much Kool-Aid? There's only one possible reason we were willing to try the Toddy coffee system, one of a handful of cold-brew options available: It works.

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September coffee futures to 70 cents

Arabica coffee futures for September delivery will begin the new week Monday from 70 cents a pound on New York's Coffee, Sugar & Cocoa Exchange.

A week ago the price had been 66.55, and the week before that, 67.05. Near-term futures had gone as high as 83.25 cents in mid-June.

There is a coffee shortage in Colombia but the new harvest starts this coming week if the weather is good.

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