In this episode, Kenneth sits down with Eric Brenner from the Bourlag Institute for International Agriculture at Texas A&M. They discuss the challenges coffee farmers face. They discuss how the price they are paid, climate change and diseases and pests impact the farmer.

Eric explains the relationship between these issues, and how one problem feeds into the others. He also shares details of how by working together these challenges can be overcome so that everyone can continue to enjoy superior quality coffee. Eric also talks about the work the Center for Coffee Research and Education at Texas A&M is doing in conjunction with growers and others involved in the coffee industry to improve the quality and supply of coffee.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The three main challenges that coffee farmers face are closely related.
• Coffee leaf rust has always been an issue, but climate change is making things a lot worse.
• Older coffee plants are more prone to disease. Also, in some countries, most of the plants are 50+ years old.
• There is a correlation between low prices and the prevalence of leaf rust. Eric explains the link in the podcast.
• Effectively dealing with leaf rust requires an integrated approach that involves everyone.
• Diversity in coffees planted is essential for tackling leaf rust and changes in weather patterns and growing conditions.
• The research the Bourlag Institute is doing means they can provide expertise for every link in the coffee supply chain.

BEST MOMENTS

‘With climate change, coffee leaf rust is getting worse because temperatures are more unpredictable. ´

‘There is no silver bullet that is going to get rid of leaf rust, only a holistic approach will help.’

‘There is a lot of need for coffee research.’

EPISODE RESOURCES

Coffee Education Website: https://coffee.tamu.edu

Contact page - https://coffee.tamu.edu/contact/

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Award-winning single-origin specialty coffee: https://umblecoffee.com/

You’re disciplined and high achieving. You never settle. Shouldn’t the fuel that helps you reach your goals be held to those same standards? Instead of a crash-inducing cup of jo, you need coffee with optimal antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. A coffee so good that you can drink it black.

At Umble Coffee, we only roast specialty-grade arabica coffee from around the world with cupping scores 84 and above. Don’t sabotage yourself in pursuing your goals - drink coffee that tastes better and is better for you. No crash, great taste, and better long-term health benefits. That’s Umble Coffee. 

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ABOUT THE HOST

As a coffee lover, physician, chemical engineer, serial entrepreneur, competitive runner, writer, and family man, Kenneth knows what it’s like to push yourself to achieve goals very few accomplish. He’s one of the best specialty coffee roasters in the United States as he’s a multi-year US Coffee Roasters’ Competition Finalist. He created Umble Coffee Co with the belief that, if sourced and roasted right, coffee can taste phenomenal and be good for you.

“Life’s too short to drink bad coffee.”

CONTACT METHOD

Want to reach Kenneth? Have questions, show ideas, or want to just let us know you’re enjoying the show? The best way is to leave us a great review and put your thoughts in the comment section - Kenneth reads all of them! The second-best way is through DM on social media.

HOW TO LEAVE A REVIEW

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Podcast Description

Coffee 101 is an educational show on all things coffee. The host, Kenneth Thomas, starts with the most basic questions about coffee and builds your knowledge from there. If you love coffee, are curious about coffee, or you’re a business just looking for a resource to train your team, Coffee 101 is without question the show for you! 

Season 1 - Coffee's Journey From Seed to Shelf

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