Part 5 of 5: In our annual series with George Howell, we explore why George believes more people should drink black coffee and how cafés can make that experience more accessible. We also discuss single-farm coffee, consumer education, restaurants, brewing, and George’s hopes for farmers and quality coffee over the decades ahead.
Read MorePart 4 of 5: In our annual series with George Howell, we explore scoring, commenting, transparency, and how the coffee industry communicates quality. George explains why scoring remains an important internal tool, why consumers do not necessarily need numerical scores, and why exceptional coffees should be judged according to their own potential rather than against the reputation of a particular origin or variety.
Read MorePart 3 of 5: In our annual series with George Howell, we explore the tension between coffee quality and economics in today’s market. George discusses rising green coffee prices, producer relationships, shrinking margins, the economics of artisan coffee, and why maintaining quality while building a sustainable business requires patience, discipline, and measured growth.
Read MorePart 2 of 5: In our annual series with George Howell, we explore how George defines quality from the farm through to the cup. George explains how immersive tasting experiences can help consumers understand ripeness, processing, freshness, origin, and preservation, giving them a sensory benchmark for recognising quality coffee.
Read MorePart 1 of 5: In our annual series with George Howell, we explore what defines George Howell Coffee as George marks 50 years in the coffee industry. George explains why single-farm coffee, quality, consumer education, and service remain central to his philosophy, and why specialty coffee needs a clearer way of communicating flavour to people who simply want a great cup of coffee.
Read MoreThis is the 5th episode of a 5-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with host Lee Safar and series guests, George Howell and Tim Wendelboe.
George Howell is a 50-year legend in the coffee industry and the founder of George Howell Coffee and Coffee Connection. George is based in Boston, USA.
Tim Wendelboe is a 20+ year industry legend, coffee farmer, world barista champion, and founder of Tim Wendelboe Coffee. Tim is based in Oslo, Norway.
In this series, Lee, George, and Tim explore a number of subjects, including the WBC, understanding the impact of the climate crisis on the coffee value chain, the coffee crisis, and whether Chemex makes the best coffee.
In this episode of the podcast series, Lee wraps up a captivating series with Marianella as they delve into the challenges of coffee market volatility from the perspective of small holder producers, the impact of middlemen and low-priced future contracts, and the struggles and hopes of co-ops and farmers seeking just relationships through direct trade.
The discussion highlights the emergence of new direct trade models, geopolitical shifts in coffee trading, and the vital connections between small farmers and roasters.
Marianella also shares the inspiring success of the Coffee Camp and encourages collaboration for a thriving coffee community.
Learn more about sustainable, ethical coffee practices and how you can support these efforts.
Read MoreThis is the 4th episode of a 5-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with host Lee Safar and series guests, George Howell and Tim Wendelboe.
George Howell is a 50-year legend in the coffee industry and the founder of George Howell Coffee and Coffee Connection. George is based in Boston, USA.
Tim Wendelboe is a 20+ year industry legend, coffee farmer, world barista champion, and founder of Tim Wendelboe Coffee. Tim is based in Oslo, Norway.
In this series, Lee, George, and Tim explore a number of subjects, including the WBC, understanding the impact of the climate crisis on the coffee value chain, the coffee crisis, and whether Chemex makes the best coffee.
In this episode of the podcast series, Lee, George, and Tim discuss the various forces impacting the coffee value chain beyond climate change.
They explore trends such as the shift from agricultural to manufactured coffee products, the importance of black coffee, and labeling strategies.
The conversation delves into the complexities of the coffee crisis, defining quality in coffee, and the challenges faced by new coffee businesses in today’s market.
They also touch upon the roles of flavored coffees, the concept of specialty coffee, and the influence of market forces like inflation and the rise of matcha in cafes.
Read MoreThis is the 3rd episode of a 5-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with host Lee Safar and series guests, George Howell and Tim Wendelboe.
George Howell is a 50-year legend in the coffee industry and the founder of George Howell Coffee and Coffee Connection. George is based in Boston, USA.
Tim Wendelboe is a 20+ year industry legend, coffee farmer, world barista champion, and founder of Tim Wendelboe Coffee. Tim is based in Oslo, Norway.
In this series, Lee, George, and Tim explore a number of subjects, including the WBC, understanding the impact of the climate crisis on the coffee value chain, the coffee crisis, and whether Chemex makes the best coffee.
In this episode of the podcast series, Lee, George, and Tim to discuss how climate change is affecting coffee farming communities.
They delve into challenges such as labor shortages, the impact on coffee quality, and the need for sustainable and resilient farming practices.
The conversation highlights specific experiences from Kenya, Guatemala, and Colombia, emphasizing the importance of community-driven approaches to farming sustainability.
Additionally, they discuss the evolving landscape of the global coffee industry and what the future holds.
Join us for a detailed insight into these pressing issues.
Read MoreThis is the 2nd episode of a 5-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with host Lee Safar and series guests, George Howell and Tim Wendelboe.
George Howell is a 50-year legend in the coffee industry and the founder of George Howell Coffee and Coffee Connection. George is based in Boston, USA.
Tim Wendelboe is a 20+ year industry legend, coffee farmer, world barista champion, and founder of Tim Wendelboe Coffee. Tim is based in Oslo, Norway.
In this episode of the podcast series, we continue the insightful discussion with George and Tim about the profound impact of the climate crisis on coffee value chains.
Tim shares firsthand experiences of the adverse effects on coffee harvests, ranging from disease pressure to unpredictable weather patterns.
George and Lee highlight the urgency for innovative solutions, including regenerative farming and the potential role of technology.
Additionally, the episode delves into the future of coffee farming and the crucial need for adaptation to ensure sustainability.
Tune in to explore how the coffee industry can navigate these pressing challenges leading up to 2026 and beyond.
Read MoreThis is the first episode of a 5-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with host Lee Safar and series guests, George Howell and Tim Wendelboe.
George Howell is a 50-year legend in the coffee industry and the founder of George Howell Coffee and Coffee Connection. George is based in Boston, USA.
Tim Wendelboe is a 20+ year industry legend, coffee farmer, world barista champion, and founder of Tim Wendelboe Coffee. Tim is based in Oslo, Norway.
In this series, Lee, George, and Tim explore a number of subjects, including the WBC, understanding the impact of the climate crisis on the coffee value chain, the coffee crisis, and whether Chemex makes the best coffee.
In this episode of the podcast series, Lee, George, and Tim delve into the critical issue of climate change and its impact on the coffee industry.
The discussion spans from historical farming practices to current challenges at the origin, and the evolving role of barista competitions.
The conversation emphasizes the urgency for sustainable farming methods and the need for strategic industry shifts to counteract the adverse effects of climate change.
Tune in for a comprehensive exploration of how climate variability is reshaping coffee cultivation and the broader value chain.
Read MoreThis is the 5th of a five-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Boston-based 50-year coffee industry legend and CoE Co-Founder, George Howell from George Howell Coffee and The Coffee Connection.
This series is the 2025 edition of our annual series, "The Coffee Industry According to George Howell," where we explore various aspects of the industry from the perspective of one of the founders of the specialty coffee movement.
In this engaging and insightful episode of The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward, with more than 50 years of experience in the coffee industry, George shares his reflections on the future of coffee varietals, sustainability in farming, and the ongoing challenges facing the coffee industry.
This episode also explores the evolution of coffee roasting, the impact of tariffs on the coffee market, and the importance of sharing and collaboration within the coffee community.
Tune in to hear George's passion for coffee and his hopes for the industry's future.
Don't miss an episode laden with wisdom, especially for those invested in specialty coffee and industry trends.
Read MoreThis is the 4th of a five-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Boston-based 50-year coffee industry legend and CoE Co-Founder, George Howell from George Howell Coffee and The Coffee Connection.
This series is the 2025 edition of our annual series, "The Coffee Industry According to George Howell," where we explore various aspects of the industry from the perspective of one of the founders of the specialty coffee movement.
In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and George engage in a deep conversation about regenerative agriculture's role in the future of coffee farming.
They discuss the challenges farmers face, including climate change, labor shortages, and the fear of failure in adopting new agricultural methods.
The conversation also highlights the importance of quality in regenerative coffee and the potential impact of advanced technologies like drones and robotics in coffee farming.
Additionally, they touch upon the consumer's perspective on regenerative coffee and what it means for the coffee industry.
Tune in to learn about the dynamic changes shaping coffee farming and the importance of sustainable practices.
Read MoreThis is the 3rd of a five-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Boston-based 50-year coffee industry legend and CoE Co-Founder, George Howell from George Howell Coffee and The Coffee Connection.
This series is the 2025 edition of our annual series, "The Coffee Industry According to George Howell," where we explore various aspects of the industry from the perspective of one of the founders of the specialty coffee movement.
In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and George discuss the impact of rising coffee prices on the industry and whether these increases should be passed on to consumers.
George shares insights from his experiences dating back to 1975, including how the black frost in Brazil affected coffee prices and the subsequent impact on his business, Coffee Connection.
He details the challenges faced by small cafes and roasters in balancing quality and price, as well as the evolving landscape of specialty coffee.
As part of a five-part series, this episode also touches on the broader implications for the future of coffee prices and quality.
Stay tuned for the next episode where they will delve into the role of regenerative agriculture in coffee.
Read MoreThis is the 2nd of a five-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Boston-based 50-year coffee industry legend and CoE Co-Founder, George Howell from George Howell Coffee and The Coffee Connection.
This series is the 2025 edition of our annual series, "The Coffee Industry According to George Howell," where we explore various aspects of the industry from the perspective of one of the founders of the specialty coffee movement.
In this episode of this series, Lee and George discuss the complexities of coffee pricing, differentiating between green and roasted coffee, and the challenges small companies face in a capitalistic market.
George shares his experiences with wholesale and retail coffee businesses and the impact of market trends on pricing.
They also explore regenerative coffee farming and strategies to improve coffee quality and sustainability amidst ecological challenges.
Read MoreThis is the first of a five-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Boston-based 50-year coffee industry legend and CoE Co-Founder, George Howell from George Howell Coffee and The Coffee Connection.
This series is the 2025 edition of our annual series, "The Coffee Industry According to George Howell," where we explore various aspects of the industry from the perspective of one of the founders of the specialty coffee movement.
In this episode of The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward, Lee and George explore the concept of quality in coffee, emphasizing its importance both in taste and ethical cultivation.
George shares his journey from art to coffee, examining how his focus on authenticity and excellence has shaped his approach to the coffee business.
The conversation delves into cultural differences in coffee preferences, the evolution of quality over time, and the potential future of coffee amid growing challenges.
Tune in to gain valuable insights into what truly defines quality coffee.
Read MoreThis is the 5th episode of a five-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast, hosted by Map It Forward founder, Lee Safar.
Our Guest on the podcast this week is George Howell founder of George Howell Coffee, Coffee Connection and co-founder of Cup of Excellence.
In this series, given George is a founder of the specialty coffee industry, we're exploring "The Coffee Industry According To George Howell" for a second year in a row. We traverse many different aspects of the industry in this series and try to explore how we got here, where we're at, and where we think it's going.
In this concluding episode of our 5-part series, Lee and George discuss the major challenges facing the coffee industry, including high real estate costs in prime locations, the impact of venture capital and private equity, and the absence of producers' voices at major industry events.
Howell shares his thoughts on potential solutions like bringing more producers to expos and emphasizes the importance of diversified revenue streams for new and existing business owners in specialty coffee.
Read MoreThis is the 4th episode of a five-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast, hosted by Map It Forward founder, Lee Safar.
Our Guest on the podcast this week is George Howell founder of George Howell Coffee, Coffee Connection and co-founder of Cup of Excellence.
In this series, given George is a founder of the specialty coffee industry, we're exploring "The Coffee Industry According To George Howell" for a second year in a row. We traverse many different aspects of the industry in this series and try to explore how we got here, where we're at, and where we think it's going.
In this insightful episode of the Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward, Lee and George delve deep into the classification of flavored infused coffees, market dynamics, and the current coffee price crisis.
Discover George's perspective on the evolving specialty coffee industry, market saturation, and the importance of maintaining quality while catering to diverse customer preferences.
They also explore the potential future challenges for cafes and roasteries, touching on fermentation techniques and the consumer's growing demand for authenticity.
Don't miss this engaging discussion on the future of coffee!
Read MoreThis is the 3rd episode of a five-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast, hosted by Map It Forward founder, Lee Safar.
Our Guest on the podcast this week is George Howell founder of George Howell Coffee, Coffee Connection and co-founder of Cup of Excellence.
In this series, given George is a founder of the specialty coffee industry, we're exploring "The Coffee Industry According To George Howell" for a second year in a row. We traverse many different aspects of the industry in this series and try to explore how we got here, where we're at, and where we think it's going.
In this episode of The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward, Lee and George discuss the critical role coffee varieties play in the current coffee industry crisis.
They dive into challenges like disease resistance, maintaining flavor profiles, and economic pressures faced by coffee farmers.
The episode highlights notable varieties such as SL 28, Pink Bourbon, and the H1 hybrid, and explores innovative solutions, including regenerative agriculture.
Additionally, the conversation touches on the impact of climate change and market dynamics on coffee production.
Read MoreThis is the 2nd episode of a five-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast, hosted by Map It Forward founder, Lee Safar.
Our Guest on the podcast this week is George Howell founder of George Howell Coffee, Coffee Connection and co-founder of Cup of Excellence.
In this series, given George is a founder of the specialty coffee industry, we're exploring "The Coffee Industry According To George Howell" for a second year in a row. We traverse many different aspects of the industry in this series and try to explore how we got here, where we're at, and where we think it's going.
In this episode of The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward, Lee and George discuss the coffee crisis and the rise of regenerative agriculture.
They discuss George's recent trips to coffee origins, the challenges faced by coffee producers, and the potential benefits of transitioning to regenerative farming.
The conversation sheds light on the complexities of the coffee value chain and the roles that producers, consumers, and consultants play in it.
Read MoreThis is the first episode of a five-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast, hosted by Map It Forward founder, Lee Safar.
Our Guest on the podcast this week is George Howell founder of George Howell Coffee, Coffee Connection and co-founder of Cup of Excellence.
In this series, given George is a founder of the specialty coffee industry, we're exploring "The Coffee Industry According To George Howell" for a second year in a row. We traverse many different aspects of the industry in this series and try to explore how we got here, where we're at, and where we think it's going.
In this episode of The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward, Lee and George dive deep into the history and evolution of the specialty coffee industry, discussing Howell's pioneering efforts with Coffee Connection in Harvard Square, the birth of the Frappuccino, and the current state of the coffee industry.
Howell shares his thoughts on whether the industry is in crisis and emphasizes the importance of education, storytelling, and quality in bridging the gap between farmers and consumers.
The episode also explores the challenges faced by coffee producers and offers insights into engaging the modern coffee consumer.
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