African coffee farmers smile at improved prices

By David Mageria

NAIROBI (Reuters) - African coffee farmers are benefiting from a rise in global prices, but higher income will only start translating into increased output and better quality after the next season, coffee officials said on Wednesday.

Robert Nsibirwa, the executive director of Eastern African Coffees Association (EAFCA), said African farmers were hoping reduced production in top producers Brazil and Vietnam would continue to ensure higher prices are sustained.

"We have seen a surge in prices. There has been a correction -- of course prices have gone down a bit, but generally the prices are at a level where the farmer is fairly happy," Nsibirwa told Reuters in an interview.

More...

Coffee crops and rituals are vital to Ethiopians

Did you know that the most popular kind of coffee plant originated in a country found on the east coast of Africa? The coffee is called Arabica and the country is Ethiopia. Although nobody knows for sure how and when people began using coffee as a beverage, many believe it began as early as the 9th century, more than 1,000 years ago.

Coffee has long been Ethiopia's most important crop and largest export. It is equally important in the daily life of Ethiopians. Many customs center around the drinking of coffee.

If you were a guest in someone's home in Ethiopia, the hosts might roast, grind and brew coffee right in front of you. Then everyone would drink it together, with maybe just a sip for the kids. The whole process could take up to an hour, or longer if neighbors and friends came to visit and have coffee too.

More...

Coffee and ice cream

Gold Star franchisee signs Ben & Jerry's for new-to-market concept
By Greg Paeth
Post staff reporter

The co-owner of one of Greater Cincinnati's largest Gold Star Chili franchisees is teaming with ice cream icon Ben & Jerry's and a Louisville coffee company in a plan to open coffee and ice cream stores in Cincinnati.

Mark David, vice president of the family-owned Gold Star franchisee company, plans to wed Louisville's Java Brewing Co. and Ben & Jerry's under one roof in co-branded shops, the first of which they hope to have near the University of Cincinnati campus.

More...

Today's latte can add to tomorrow's debt

By Blaine Harden

The Washington Post

At a Starbucks across the street from Seattle University School of Law, Kirsten Daniels crams for the bar exam. She's armed with color-coded pens and what she calls "my comfort latte."

She just graduated summa cum laude, after three years of training that left her $115,000 in debt. Part of that debt, which she will take a decade to repay with interest, was run up at Starbucks, where she buys her lattes.

The habit costs her nearly $3 a day, and it's one her law school says she and legions like her cannot afford.

More...