Latest news with #Illy
Sky News
6 days ago
- General
- Sky News
Supermarket own-brand coffee beats big brands in our Americano taste test
When our self-professed coffee snobs were told they'd be tasting 11 instant Americanos for this week's Our Verdict, they were sure none of them would meet their standards. However, one coffee surpassed their expectations - and it was a supermarket's own brand. Drinking one black, one with milk and one with milk and sugar, our testers marked each cup out of 10 based on smell, taste and body. Tesco's Finest Americano Barista style coffee came out on top, with an average score of 8.8. Costing £3.95, it was also among the cheaper options in the table. Our testers rated it highly for the "biscuity, smoky, chocolatey" taste, interesting flavour profile and nice finish. At the opposite end was the most expensive option - Illy, with its Classico blend. Here are the full results... First place: Tesco Price: £3.95 for 100g Average score: 8.8 A clean, smooth, easy cup of coffee and the minimum standard you would expect from a high street coffee shop. Its biscuity, smoky flavour profile meant it delivered an interesting taste, rather than a punch in the mouth. Second place: Truestart Average score: 8 While this one isn't branded as an Americano, we felt its "Barista grade" meant it could undergo our testing - and it came so close to taking the top spot. Any respected coffee connoisseur knows seeing granules in the jar is not a good sign, but its rich flavour builds with each sip. One of our testers struggled to find a way to improve on it, but it lost marks from others due to its bitter aftertaste. Third place: Costa Price: £3.50 Average score: 6.3 Unsurprisingly, this one smelt like coffee from a coffee shop and had a roasted, strong taste. It would be a good choice for a coffee drinker who likes a heavier roast, or a nutty flavour. Costa doesn't have an instant Americano, so this is the closest equivalent. Joint fourth place: M&S Price: £4.50 Average score: 5.8 "Does the job" was a phrase that came up a lot while trying this one - though several testers were put off by the smell. Joint fourth place: Nescafe Price: £6.50 Average score: 5.8 This one failed to deliver a punch to wake you up in the morning. But if you are looking for an option that will satisfy everyone, this is probably it. Fifth place: Sainsbury's Price: £3.50 Average score: 4.8 The smell was delicious, but the taste - described by one tester as unconventional - didn't match, and our testers felt it lacked oomph. Sixth place: Kenco Price: £4.75 Average score: 4.3 A cup of Kenco starts on a high note, and ends on a very low one. It has a slightly nutty taste in the initial sip, but our testers found it unenjoyable after this point - and did not enjoy the aftertaste. Price: £2.89 Average score: 4.2 The most standout part of this coffee was its metallic aftertaste that hits the back of your throat after a few sips, our tasters concluded. It was strong - but in all the wrong ways. Eighth place: Lidl Price: £2.89 Average score: 3.2 Its instant frothiness had our testers excited, but they were disappointed by its lack of strength, bitterness and smell that reminded them of cleaning products. Ninth place: Morrisons Price: £3.75 Average score: 2.7 Bitter and slightly acidic - this one received low marks across the board. Price: £7.15 Average score: 1.5 Named the Classico, instructions for preparing this one on a supermarket website say you can make the "perfect Americano" with two teaspoons - but our tasters were not fans. They described the flavour as "artificial".
The Advertiser
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Sticky, sweaty and heaving: rapper Illy kicks off tour in regional Australia
Homegrown rapper Illy is set to blow the roof off pubs, clubs and bars in regional Australia as he embarks on a massive tour for his chart-topping 2024 album, Good Life. The Papercuts rapper is known for his heaving, high-energy live shows, and even nabbed an ARIA award for the best Australian live act in 2017. "I want people to leave with hoarse voices and sweaty clothes," the rapper told this masthead. "I think people who come to the shows can attest that we don't mess around," he said. Starting at Canberra's UC Hub in August, the multi-platinum artist will tour through country towns and regional centres before closing the three-month run in Mildura in November. READ MORE: 'I was meant to do this': Aussie rocker Pete Murray in stripped-back country tour Illy, born Alasdair Murray, said he got his start in the music industry touring throughout regional Australia. "If it's got a low roof, a small little sweatbox, I'll never not feel at home in a room like that," he said. "With some of these small shows that we're playing, we'll almost be in the crowd, which is mad because that's how I started, and I know exactly what to do in that environment." The Aussie rapper and his band plan to perform new hits including Hopeless, Free Hand, Kids and Good Life, as well as songs spanning his 16-year career. Tickets for all 27 shows are available through Songkick. Homegrown rapper Illy is set to blow the roof off pubs, clubs and bars in regional Australia as he embarks on a massive tour for his chart-topping 2024 album, Good Life. The Papercuts rapper is known for his heaving, high-energy live shows, and even nabbed an ARIA award for the best Australian live act in 2017. "I want people to leave with hoarse voices and sweaty clothes," the rapper told this masthead. "I think people who come to the shows can attest that we don't mess around," he said. Starting at Canberra's UC Hub in August, the multi-platinum artist will tour through country towns and regional centres before closing the three-month run in Mildura in November. READ MORE: 'I was meant to do this': Aussie rocker Pete Murray in stripped-back country tour Illy, born Alasdair Murray, said he got his start in the music industry touring throughout regional Australia. "If it's got a low roof, a small little sweatbox, I'll never not feel at home in a room like that," he said. "With some of these small shows that we're playing, we'll almost be in the crowd, which is mad because that's how I started, and I know exactly what to do in that environment." The Aussie rapper and his band plan to perform new hits including Hopeless, Free Hand, Kids and Good Life, as well as songs spanning his 16-year career. Tickets for all 27 shows are available through Songkick. Homegrown rapper Illy is set to blow the roof off pubs, clubs and bars in regional Australia as he embarks on a massive tour for his chart-topping 2024 album, Good Life. The Papercuts rapper is known for his heaving, high-energy live shows, and even nabbed an ARIA award for the best Australian live act in 2017. "I want people to leave with hoarse voices and sweaty clothes," the rapper told this masthead. "I think people who come to the shows can attest that we don't mess around," he said. Starting at Canberra's UC Hub in August, the multi-platinum artist will tour through country towns and regional centres before closing the three-month run in Mildura in November. READ MORE: 'I was meant to do this': Aussie rocker Pete Murray in stripped-back country tour Illy, born Alasdair Murray, said he got his start in the music industry touring throughout regional Australia. "If it's got a low roof, a small little sweatbox, I'll never not feel at home in a room like that," he said. "With some of these small shows that we're playing, we'll almost be in the crowd, which is mad because that's how I started, and I know exactly what to do in that environment." The Aussie rapper and his band plan to perform new hits including Hopeless, Free Hand, Kids and Good Life, as well as songs spanning his 16-year career. Tickets for all 27 shows are available through Songkick.
The Advertiser
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
'Pop is not a dirty word': Illy's living the Good-er Life on tour
The old saying, never meet your heroes, doesn't wash with Illy. The genre-defying, ARIA Award-winning hip-hop artist otherwise known as Alasdair Murray has met his, and not only are they now his best mates, they've influenced every step of his career to date. "The people in Australian hip-hop that I look up to, like Drapht and Hilltop Hoods, they are examples of how to conduct yourself in this business," he says. "I started rapping in an Australian accent because of the Hoods and they're some of my best mates now, you know? I've been at their weddings, they're coming to my birthday overseas later this year, we're really good friends and they deserve their success. "I still look up to them, same with Drapht." Illy is about to hit the road for the 27-date Good-er Life Tour, having toured Australia's capital cities for the Good Life Tour in March. The regional run follows the recent release of Good Life Deluxe Edition, a follow-up to his seventh studio album, Good Life, released in November 2024. The deluxe edition includes a 2023 standalone single Hopeless (featuring Indiana Massara), new track Free Hand and acoustic versions of singles Kids and Good Life. "Finally getting to do the Good Life tour was, no shit, life-affirming. I loved every second of it, whether it was playing the new album, the big bangers, or meeting people after," Illy says. "I even loved the hungover flights the next morning (maybe not as much). "So now that we've got a taste for it, I am ready and counting down the days 'til the Good-er Life tour starts. "We're the most locked in we've been in years on stage, and when we're in this mode, no one does it better." Illy has seamlessly straddled the line between hip-hop and pop throughout his career, embracing new sonic inspirations on each of his albums. On Good Life, it's clear he now has it down to a fine art. He even sings on the album, drawing on a few years of singing lessons and ever-growing confidence in his abilities. "I've done a few interviews about this album now, because it is the one that goes in the most different directions," he says. "I have known, from the very start, that I couldn't make the same album over and over again and still be doing it on a seventh album. I just couldn't. "If I was just doing this as a gig, and not for love, and rehashing the same shit over and over again, I would have been doing something else years ago." He's copped some criticism from diehard hip-hop fans, but he takes it in his stride. "When people say some of my songs are pop songs, they say it as a dismissive thing because it's not what I'm known for," he says. "The thing is, I'm not embarrassed about that, I don't think it's a dirty word. "You know, the title track alone is somewhere between Oasis and an Aussie pop song. Doing that shit is hard, and it takes balls. "Staying in your lane and doing the same thing, nothing impresses me about doing that. "When people are like 'I don't really rock with this new stuff' or whatever, I pretty much say 'I appreciate you supporting me, I appreciate your honesty, I want you to like this stuff but if you don't, I get it, but I'm not going to not challenge myself for the sake of appealing to as many people as possible'. "I'd rather do what I'm doing and stay inspired and enthusiastic about it." Not being afraid to follow his creativity where it takes him is a sign of maturity for Illy. He recognises it himself. He's never been more passionate about his craft and his career. "I have, in the past, not kept healthy, and not taken care of myself, but then I realised that to keep doing what I do, I needed to put more effort into eating right, getting sleep and exercising," he says. "I quit smoking a couple of years ago, which has helped my voice, and we don't drink before the shows. "I still have fun, of course I do, but this is my favourite thing to do in the world. It's all I've ever wanted to do, I have to give it the respect it deserves. "And you're not going to be around very long as an artist if you're not taking it seriously and not giving the audience their money's worth, either." The old saying, never meet your heroes, doesn't wash with Illy. The genre-defying, ARIA Award-winning hip-hop artist otherwise known as Alasdair Murray has met his, and not only are they now his best mates, they've influenced every step of his career to date. "The people in Australian hip-hop that I look up to, like Drapht and Hilltop Hoods, they are examples of how to conduct yourself in this business," he says. "I started rapping in an Australian accent because of the Hoods and they're some of my best mates now, you know? I've been at their weddings, they're coming to my birthday overseas later this year, we're really good friends and they deserve their success. "I still look up to them, same with Drapht." Illy is about to hit the road for the 27-date Good-er Life Tour, having toured Australia's capital cities for the Good Life Tour in March. The regional run follows the recent release of Good Life Deluxe Edition, a follow-up to his seventh studio album, Good Life, released in November 2024. The deluxe edition includes a 2023 standalone single Hopeless (featuring Indiana Massara), new track Free Hand and acoustic versions of singles Kids and Good Life. "Finally getting to do the Good Life tour was, no shit, life-affirming. I loved every second of it, whether it was playing the new album, the big bangers, or meeting people after," Illy says. "I even loved the hungover flights the next morning (maybe not as much). "So now that we've got a taste for it, I am ready and counting down the days 'til the Good-er Life tour starts. "We're the most locked in we've been in years on stage, and when we're in this mode, no one does it better." Illy has seamlessly straddled the line between hip-hop and pop throughout his career, embracing new sonic inspirations on each of his albums. On Good Life, it's clear he now has it down to a fine art. He even sings on the album, drawing on a few years of singing lessons and ever-growing confidence in his abilities. "I've done a few interviews about this album now, because it is the one that goes in the most different directions," he says. "I have known, from the very start, that I couldn't make the same album over and over again and still be doing it on a seventh album. I just couldn't. "If I was just doing this as a gig, and not for love, and rehashing the same shit over and over again, I would have been doing something else years ago." He's copped some criticism from diehard hip-hop fans, but he takes it in his stride. "When people say some of my songs are pop songs, they say it as a dismissive thing because it's not what I'm known for," he says. "The thing is, I'm not embarrassed about that, I don't think it's a dirty word. "You know, the title track alone is somewhere between Oasis and an Aussie pop song. Doing that shit is hard, and it takes balls. "Staying in your lane and doing the same thing, nothing impresses me about doing that. "When people are like 'I don't really rock with this new stuff' or whatever, I pretty much say 'I appreciate you supporting me, I appreciate your honesty, I want you to like this stuff but if you don't, I get it, but I'm not going to not challenge myself for the sake of appealing to as many people as possible'. "I'd rather do what I'm doing and stay inspired and enthusiastic about it." Not being afraid to follow his creativity where it takes him is a sign of maturity for Illy. He recognises it himself. He's never been more passionate about his craft and his career. "I have, in the past, not kept healthy, and not taken care of myself, but then I realised that to keep doing what I do, I needed to put more effort into eating right, getting sleep and exercising," he says. "I quit smoking a couple of years ago, which has helped my voice, and we don't drink before the shows. "I still have fun, of course I do, but this is my favourite thing to do in the world. It's all I've ever wanted to do, I have to give it the respect it deserves. "And you're not going to be around very long as an artist if you're not taking it seriously and not giving the audience their money's worth, either." The old saying, never meet your heroes, doesn't wash with Illy. The genre-defying, ARIA Award-winning hip-hop artist otherwise known as Alasdair Murray has met his, and not only are they now his best mates, they've influenced every step of his career to date. "The people in Australian hip-hop that I look up to, like Drapht and Hilltop Hoods, they are examples of how to conduct yourself in this business," he says. "I started rapping in an Australian accent because of the Hoods and they're some of my best mates now, you know? I've been at their weddings, they're coming to my birthday overseas later this year, we're really good friends and they deserve their success. "I still look up to them, same with Drapht." Illy is about to hit the road for the 27-date Good-er Life Tour, having toured Australia's capital cities for the Good Life Tour in March. The regional run follows the recent release of Good Life Deluxe Edition, a follow-up to his seventh studio album, Good Life, released in November 2024. The deluxe edition includes a 2023 standalone single Hopeless (featuring Indiana Massara), new track Free Hand and acoustic versions of singles Kids and Good Life. "Finally getting to do the Good Life tour was, no shit, life-affirming. I loved every second of it, whether it was playing the new album, the big bangers, or meeting people after," Illy says. "I even loved the hungover flights the next morning (maybe not as much). "So now that we've got a taste for it, I am ready and counting down the days 'til the Good-er Life tour starts. "We're the most locked in we've been in years on stage, and when we're in this mode, no one does it better." Illy has seamlessly straddled the line between hip-hop and pop throughout his career, embracing new sonic inspirations on each of his albums. On Good Life, it's clear he now has it down to a fine art. He even sings on the album, drawing on a few years of singing lessons and ever-growing confidence in his abilities. "I've done a few interviews about this album now, because it is the one that goes in the most different directions," he says. "I have known, from the very start, that I couldn't make the same album over and over again and still be doing it on a seventh album. I just couldn't. "If I was just doing this as a gig, and not for love, and rehashing the same shit over and over again, I would have been doing something else years ago." He's copped some criticism from diehard hip-hop fans, but he takes it in his stride. "When people say some of my songs are pop songs, they say it as a dismissive thing because it's not what I'm known for," he says. "The thing is, I'm not embarrassed about that, I don't think it's a dirty word. "You know, the title track alone is somewhere between Oasis and an Aussie pop song. Doing that shit is hard, and it takes balls. "Staying in your lane and doing the same thing, nothing impresses me about doing that. "When people are like 'I don't really rock with this new stuff' or whatever, I pretty much say 'I appreciate you supporting me, I appreciate your honesty, I want you to like this stuff but if you don't, I get it, but I'm not going to not challenge myself for the sake of appealing to as many people as possible'. "I'd rather do what I'm doing and stay inspired and enthusiastic about it." Not being afraid to follow his creativity where it takes him is a sign of maturity for Illy. He recognises it himself. He's never been more passionate about his craft and his career. "I have, in the past, not kept healthy, and not taken care of myself, but then I realised that to keep doing what I do, I needed to put more effort into eating right, getting sleep and exercising," he says. "I quit smoking a couple of years ago, which has helped my voice, and we don't drink before the shows. "I still have fun, of course I do, but this is my favourite thing to do in the world. It's all I've ever wanted to do, I have to give it the respect it deserves. "And you're not going to be around very long as an artist if you're not taking it seriously and not giving the audience their money's worth, either." The old saying, never meet your heroes, doesn't wash with Illy. The genre-defying, ARIA Award-winning hip-hop artist otherwise known as Alasdair Murray has met his, and not only are they now his best mates, they've influenced every step of his career to date. "The people in Australian hip-hop that I look up to, like Drapht and Hilltop Hoods, they are examples of how to conduct yourself in this business," he says. "I started rapping in an Australian accent because of the Hoods and they're some of my best mates now, you know? I've been at their weddings, they're coming to my birthday overseas later this year, we're really good friends and they deserve their success. "I still look up to them, same with Drapht." Illy is about to hit the road for the 27-date Good-er Life Tour, having toured Australia's capital cities for the Good Life Tour in March. The regional run follows the recent release of Good Life Deluxe Edition, a follow-up to his seventh studio album, Good Life, released in November 2024. The deluxe edition includes a 2023 standalone single Hopeless (featuring Indiana Massara), new track Free Hand and acoustic versions of singles Kids and Good Life. "Finally getting to do the Good Life tour was, no shit, life-affirming. I loved every second of it, whether it was playing the new album, the big bangers, or meeting people after," Illy says. "I even loved the hungover flights the next morning (maybe not as much). "So now that we've got a taste for it, I am ready and counting down the days 'til the Good-er Life tour starts. "We're the most locked in we've been in years on stage, and when we're in this mode, no one does it better." Illy has seamlessly straddled the line between hip-hop and pop throughout his career, embracing new sonic inspirations on each of his albums. On Good Life, it's clear he now has it down to a fine art. He even sings on the album, drawing on a few years of singing lessons and ever-growing confidence in his abilities. "I've done a few interviews about this album now, because it is the one that goes in the most different directions," he says. "I have known, from the very start, that I couldn't make the same album over and over again and still be doing it on a seventh album. I just couldn't. "If I was just doing this as a gig, and not for love, and rehashing the same shit over and over again, I would have been doing something else years ago." He's copped some criticism from diehard hip-hop fans, but he takes it in his stride. "When people say some of my songs are pop songs, they say it as a dismissive thing because it's not what I'm known for," he says. "The thing is, I'm not embarrassed about that, I don't think it's a dirty word. "You know, the title track alone is somewhere between Oasis and an Aussie pop song. Doing that shit is hard, and it takes balls. "Staying in your lane and doing the same thing, nothing impresses me about doing that. "When people are like 'I don't really rock with this new stuff' or whatever, I pretty much say 'I appreciate you supporting me, I appreciate your honesty, I want you to like this stuff but if you don't, I get it, but I'm not going to not challenge myself for the sake of appealing to as many people as possible'. "I'd rather do what I'm doing and stay inspired and enthusiastic about it." Not being afraid to follow his creativity where it takes him is a sign of maturity for Illy. He recognises it himself. He's never been more passionate about his craft and his career. "I have, in the past, not kept healthy, and not taken care of myself, but then I realised that to keep doing what I do, I needed to put more effort into eating right, getting sleep and exercising," he says. "I quit smoking a couple of years ago, which has helped my voice, and we don't drink before the shows. "I still have fun, of course I do, but this is my favourite thing to do in the world. It's all I've ever wanted to do, I have to give it the respect it deserves. "And you're not going to be around very long as an artist if you're not taking it seriously and not giving the audience their money's worth, either."
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Your Morning Coffee Costs More—and What You Can Do About It
Climate change is impacting coffee yields and increasing prices, causing concern for consumers and growers. Regenerative farming and techniques like composting can help lower costs and boost quality. Consumers can help by buying certified sustainable coffee and supporting environmentally conscious Illy, Chairman of the Italian coffee brand Illy, sipped a cappuccino at a recent breakfast in Manhattan and discussed the state of the Western Hemisphere's favorite morning drink. "Now we have severely high coffee prices as a consequence of droughts last year in Vietnam and Brazil triggered by El Niño, the ocean current that goes back and forth across the South Pacific," he explained. El Niño and La Niña are two climate patterns. El Niño years bring warmer water and temperatures, but they trade off with cooler La Niña periods. Climate change has strengthened El Niño's influence and expanded it, even to Atlantic locations like Brazil. That's led to more droughts, which have decreased yields, driving up the cost of the green coffee that goes to roasters by nearly 55 percent—the most precipitous increase in half a century. "Of course, the consumer pays the bill," says Illy. In May, U.S. consumers spent an average of $7.93 per pound for roasted coffee, up $1.77 since 2023. "Coffee growers are unhappy with such a high price, too, because they say it's unsustainable. Consumption will go down, and the price will collapse." Growers attempt to ride the boom by planting more trees, increasing production. "Then, the year after, the market is flooded with coffee, and the prices go down like a rock," says Illy. It's a typical trend. "We keep doing the same mistakes." Coffee trees—particularly Arabica, the main species—are highly susceptible to climate pressures. As the planet warms, estimates are that, by 2050, half as much land will be suitable for coffee. Growers will need to move higher in altitude. And diseases like coffee leaf rust, a fungus that's decimated plants in every coffee-producing region around the world, will proliferate. Given that many farmers have few resources, we are looking at an uncertain future for our cups of joe. Luckily, solutions are in the works. Coffee importers, researchers, advocates and governments are cooperating to support farmers. And consumers can help. Coffee is farmed by a vast collection of small landholders in 70 countries across the Southern Hemisphere. Ninety-five percent of the 12.5 million coffee farms are less than five hectares, or 12 acres, in size. Sixty percent of the world's coffee comes from small farms—yet it's only in Vietnam and Brazil, where larger holdings are more common, that farmers earn enough to escape poverty. That's a social and environmental crisis. "Farmers living below the poverty line are often unable to withstand climate shocks," say Tran Quynh Chi, regional landscapes director for Asia, and Mette-Marie Hansen, senior program manager for coffee, for the sustainable farming advocacy organization IDH, who answered questions together for this story. "Farmers struggling to survive often turn to unsustainable land expansion, clearing forests to grow more coffee or other crops." Deforestation degrades habitats, causes biodiversity loss and contributes to the climate change that is harming coffee in the first place. There are 12 million hectares (almost 30 million acres) of coffee in production worldwide—but compared to, say, soybeans, which are grown on nearly three times the land in the United States alone, coffee is a relatively small crop, so it causes less damage. Still, says Raina Lang, Conservation International's senior director for sustainable coffee, "it's more like death by a thousand cuts. When prices are high and farmers see profit, they expand. When productivity is low, instead of working to increase their yield, they increase growing area to offset that loss." Both tactics lead to deforestation. That's one reason Conservation International is collaborating with the United Nations' Green Climate Fund to promote sustainable growing practices in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Uganda, where 20 percent of small coffee farmers reside. The organization is training farmers to increase productivity on their existing land through sustainable practices. It has also created the Sustainable Coffee Challenge, partnering with roasters and large retailers (such as Aldi and Dunkin') that pledge to buy only sustainable, responsibly sourced coffee, and also with research and tech partners committed to helping farmers increase profits in earth-friendly ways. The water-smart company Irrigation Technologies, for instance, provides coffee growers with its Deep Root Irrigation technology, saving them 60 percent of the water used by standard drip irrigation systems. Other NGOs are doing the same. In Uganda, IDH's Coffee Farmer Income Resilience Programme provides growers with World Bank–financed training to adopt regenerative practices, including adding fruit trees, row crops and apiaries. Growing other crops, say Chi and Hansen, can boost farmers' income by 10 percent. And through its Initiative for Sustainable Landscapes (ISLA) program, IDH is helping farmers in Kenya and Vietnam transition to organic fertilizers, adopt rainwater catchment, manage cover crops for compost and soil health and recycle leftover coffee husks for mulch. These programs can not only increase profitability through alternative income streams but also improve the health and resilience of coffee farms. Coffee brands are pitching in, as well. One such player is Illy, which is training growers in regenerative agriculture. Farmers feed the microorganisms in the soil with compost, creating soil biodiversity that fends off diseases, holds moisture and sequesters the carbon that would otherwise contribute to climate change. Farmers forgo chemicals and save money and emissions they would otherwise expend on ploughing. Illy reports that 90 percent of the company's growers have adopted 70 percent of the regenerative practices honed on its research farms. The result? "Productivity is higher with cheaper production costs." Beneficial insects and birds that eat agricultural pests thrive. "And the coffee is so much better." Yet, all these efforts won't make a dent unless farmers can earn a real living. As Chi and Hansen point out, "When there is lack of income security, even the most well-designed sustainability programs risk failure." IDH, therefore, is working to keep more money in farmers' hands. Coffee's annual market value is $200 billion, reports Illy, but farmers only see 5% of that. IDH, therefore, is working to increase farmers' profits, providing technical and financial support for regenerative agriculture, which helps them lower production costs, secure premium prices and stabilize markets. Another issue has been a lack of investment in the trees that produce coffee berries. That's particularly problematic under climate change. "Coffee is under-innovated," says Hanna Neuschwander, senior communications advisor at World Coffee Research. "The number of apple varieties registered in the International Register of Varieties is over 5,000 since 1990, and for coffee it's 120." Most coffee varieties were created in a breeding push after coffee leaf rust arrived in the Americas in the 1970s, but by now, those varieties have lost their ability to resist the mutating pathogen. World Coffee Research has thousands of varieties of coffee trees in trials. Four have made it into real-world trials in Guatemala, Peru and Costa Rica. Its first trees go to market in 2027, and Neuschwander is optimistic: "Human history is full of examples of running into a problem and innovating a solution. That's the business we're in." But research and development takes money. More than 200 coffee companies—including Starbucks, Intelligentsia, Keurig and Dr Pepper—subsidize World Coffee Research. Other efforts rely on government funding, and in the U.S., funding has been uncertain of late. For instance, many of Conservation International's NGO partners were funded by the USDA or USAID. "That programming has stopped," Lang says. "I'm sure that we'll see impacts. A lot of the US investments in Central America were to improve livelihoods with the hope that farmers wouldn't immigrate." Indeed, sources report that the main driver of immigration from Central America since the first Trump term has been climate change, which has devastated coffee and other crops, leading farmers to seek a living up north. Other governments have taken the opposite approach. They are working to improve coffee sustainability. The European Union, for instance, recently moved to require deforestation-free sourcing for seven products, including coffee. Experts agree that consumers can help secure the crop for future coffee breaks. Conservation International's Sustainable Coffee Challenge website lists roasters and retailers that source sustainable coffee. Though Lang says, 'the easiest thing to do is look for a certification on a bag of coffee. While no certification is perfect, it is a sourcing strategy to promote best practices in environmental and social stewardship.' Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, Regenerative Organic and Regenagri, which certifies Illy, all use third-party auditing to ensure that production meets their standards. You may pay more for certified beans, but you'll be helping farmers reinvest, protect the environment and secure their livelihoods, say Chi and Hansen. Indeed, farmers who grow beans under certification programs earn more. For example, no matter what's happening on the New York futures market (in which agreements are made to purchase coffee at a set price on a set future date), Fairtrade shelters farmers from fluctuations on the low end of the market by guaranteeing a minimum price for coffee sold to buyers under its certification program. That currently ranges from $1.80 for washed Arabica to $1.20 for natural Robusta. On top of that, buyers pay a 20-cent Fairtrade premium, at least 25 percent of which farmers must use on infrastructure and social projects. If their coffee is also certified organic, they receive an additional 40 cents per pound. If the price for coffee on the commodities market ranges higher than the minimum, buyers pay the commodity price, and farmers still receive their premiums. In 2018 alone, says Fairtrade, farmers earned close to $89 million in Fairtrade premiums that were reinvested in farms and communities. More broadly, says Illy, consumers can call for an economic system that recognizes the value of nature. "The extractive, linear system that we created with the Industrial Revolution depletes natural resources," a process he says is self-destructive because we rely on those resources to live. "A regenerative economy puts natural capital at the same level as financial capital. As the regenerative economy grows, you regenerate natural capital." That mug in your hand is not just a caffeine fix; it can also drive a system that adequately compensates farmers and protects the environment, which in turn helps mitigate climate change, ensuring there's coffee in the future. The immediate benefit to you? A more delicious cup and the gratification of supporting its producers. The coffee industry has been affected by climate change, economic inequality and outdated farming methods. The dwindling coffee harvests have caused an increase in prices. And while consumers are paying higher prices, the coffee farmers are struggling. Organizations like IDH and Conservation International are implementing sustainable and regenerative farming practices to try to improve yields and assist farmers. Similarly, organizations like World Coffee Research are working to develop better coffee hybrids, but are facing setbacks due to funding cuts. Consumers can help protect and support the future of the coffee industry by choosing certified sustainable brands and companies that source ethically. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Telegraph
08-04-2025
- Telegraph
This blissfully uncrowded region is Italy's best-kept secret
Is it down to its relative isolation from most of Italy, or its mouthful of a name? Whatever the reason, Friuli-Venezia Giulia has long slid under the radar of Italy's famously prolific tourism, remaining a secret reprieve for chic Italians, among whom it is known simply as 'Friuli'. One of Italy's smallest regions, you can drive from its northern top to its southern coast (or, indeed, between its eastern and western edges) in just two hours, allowing for a morning skiing in the snowy Friulian Dolomites, and an afternoon basking on the white-sand beaches of the Adriatic. On your journey between the two, you'll pass through some of the best white wine vineyards in the country, and a region defined by a complex history which has resulted in a unique blend of Slavic, German and Italian cultures. In the heartland of the region lies the true 'Friuli', an ancient culture with its own language (said to be closer to French than Italian), while further east – towards the Slovenian border – the regional capital city of Trieste, a former stalwart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, offers distinct aristocratic glamour. Add to this a swath of sumptuous royal palaces – the result of more than 500 years of Austrian rule – and scattering of medieval towns, each replete with castles and a localised cuisine that ranges from Alpine cheese to seafood from the lagoon, and you have a very nearly perfect spot for a serene sojourn. Start your exploration in Trieste – a seaside city which, despite its many draws, nevertheless remains far less visited, even by Italians, than the likes of similarly sized Perugia, Ravenna and Venice. It's famous for its old-world glamour, and nowhere is this more evident than at Miramare Castle, a 19th-century Habsburg residence set on a sprawling estate of manicured gardens. The cliffside castle is also a delightful spot from which to watch the annual Barcolana sailing event, when the white of countless sails almost obscures the deep blue of the Adriatic. But among Italians, it's coffee, not boats, that Trieste is best known for. The home of Illy, one of the country's most highly regarded coffee brands, Trieste has a distinct cafe culture defined by authentic 19th-century parlours – of which Caffè degli Specchi is the most iconic, synonymous with the Piazza dell'Unità, the most photographed spot in Trieste. At all hours of the day, the outdoor tables are filled with locals sipping caffe nero (espresso) or capo in b (cappuccino), chairs turned towards the sea. Though geographically isolated in the furthest nook of eastern Italy, Trieste is tied to the mainland via the scenic Costiera Triestina coastal road, a route which hugs the cliffs for seven miles, via rocky outcrops and Blue Flag coves (like serene white-pebble Portopiccolo), all the way to Sistiana Bay. This is only a fraction of Friuli's 80 miles of shoreline, however, much of which is also dotted by sprawling lagoons and tiny beach towns like ever-popular Grado, often known as 'Little Venice'. Throughout the lagoon are wild, uninhabited islands accessible by boat or canoe – including remote places like Isola della Conchiglie ('The Island of Shells') – perfect for those happy to trade the services of a beach club for secluded sand and pristine nature. Serving as a buffer between the lagoon and the sea, Isola della Conchiglie offers views across the water to the quaint A-frame fishing huts (casoni) on the waters of the River Stella Mouth Reserve. Paddle over for a closer look at the bird-rich marshes and a taste of fresh fried 'frittolin' fish. This area is the southernmost tip of the central province of Udine, the heartland of Friuli. Follow your nose inland, where the scenery changes completely in less than an hour. Far from fish fritters and sea salt, this is a land of prosciutto and fondue. Friulian staples blend Austro-Hungarian and Venetian influences in a hearty mountain cuisine supplemented by Slavic staples. Cool weather calls for rich and warming polenta – infused with the local aged montasio cheese, made by monks in the nearby mountains since the 13th century, and topped with meaty stews like jota, and the ultimate comfort food is frico, the Friulian version of a tartiflette. But the unofficial culinary capital is perhaps best known for San Daniele prosciutto, produced in the eponymous village nearby. These artisanal ingredients and recipes are celebrated at an annual gastronomic festival, Sapori di Pro Loco, held at an extravagant Venetian palace in Udine's bucolic outskirts. But the region's food has nothing on its wines. The grape producing area of Il Collio is sandwiched between the Adriatic coast and the Julian Alps, awash with green and golden rolling hills that could easily be mistaken for those of central Tuscany. The microclimate formed by the mountains and the sea creates versatile and crisp white wines, like Friulano, that pair as well with aromatic seafood dishes as they do rich and creamy classics like frico. Endless paths for walking, biking and horse riding connect many of the vineyards and family-run wineries, most of which welcome visitors with open arms. Here, all roads lead to Gorizia, the heart of Friuli's wine region, a red-roofed village presided over by a medieval fortress. Like the Collio region, Gorizia spills across the border into Slovenia, once the site of Europe's last Iron Curtain border wall. When Slovenia joined the EU in 2004, the wall finally came down, and the city was returned to its pre-war form. This year – in conjunction with the Slovenian side, Nova Gorica – it made history, becoming the first-ever transnational European Capital of Culture. Not to be outdone, the medieval-modern city of Pordenone – on the opposite side of Friuli – is also making headlines, as the latest town to achieve Italy's own country-wide 'Capital of Culture' designation. Where Gorizia has complex history and culture, Pordenone has art, spanning from brightly coloured Renaissance frescoes (earning its nickname, The Painted City), to a vibrant modern art and culture scene which includes an international silent film festival and a Museum of Comic Art. In nearby Spilimbergo, meanwhile, art students at the Scuola Mosaicisti del Friuli carry forward Roman and Byzantine mosaic traditions while developing contemporary techniques of their own. For a three-euro donation, visitors can step inside and marvel at the endless carpet of their work – and those who find the experience particularly engrossing can even sign up for week-long mosaic courses. You might, of course, prefer to return to the coast, and find yourself a pleasant sunny spot in which to while away the afternoon beside the lagoon, crisp white wine in hand. But then, this is the beauty of small but idyllic Friuli: there are no crowds and no hurry – why not do both? Essentials Trieste's Grand Hotel Duchi d'Aosta has double rooms from £380 per night. British Airways flies from London to Venice from £180 return; from there, it's roughly an hour and a half's drive to Trieste.
