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Buzz Feed
14-05-2025
- Business
- Buzz Feed
How Trump's Tariffs Are Going To Affect Coffee Prices
Over the past month, President Donald Trump has instilled high tariffs on countries like China, Canada, and Mexico while sparking a trade war with China. He paused some tariffs for 90 days, but the damage has already been done. For the first time in U.S. history, the government has placed a blanket 10% tariff on every single country, which Michael Coon, an associate professor of economics at the University of Tampa, calls 'unusual.' 'The only place you really see something like that is in lower-income countries that don't have the infrastructure to collect income taxes,' Coon told HuffPost. 'It's easier for them to collect tariffs at the port because you have to set up a customs office on the dock.' But what exactly are tariffs, and how do they affect the cost of the groceries you buy in your everyday life? 'Tariffs are basically a tax on imported goods,' Coon said. 'It's very similar to a sales tax. Anything we import from any other country is going to cost 10% more. In Mexico and Canada, we have a 25% tariff on most goods, and so that would raise prices by 25%. And Canada and Mexico are two of our biggest trading partners.' Many foods will be hit by tariffs, particularly produce like mangos, vanilla, bananas, summertime apples, and cocoa that cannot be grown in bulk in the U.S., so we have no choice but to import them. But if you want a perfect example of an everyday food whose tariff will impact your life, coffee is a good one to examine. Coon cited that in 2023, the U.S. imported $7.85 billion worth of coffee. 'A 10% tariff means that Americans are going to pay an extra $785 million for coffee,' he said. The problem is, a commodity like coffee can't be grown in large supplies in America. For instance, Hawaii and Puerto Rico are the only regions where coffee can be grown here, and they make up around 1% of all the coffee grown globally. 'The United States consumes roughly 20% of the world's coffee,' Coon said. 'That means everybody's coffee is going to get more expensive, and we get a large share of our coffee from Mexico. I suspect that the 25% tariffs will stay on Mexico. We will import more from other countries, but that'll maybe possibly drive the price up even further than the 10% tariffs, as the increase in demand from those countries would track the price up.' Heather Perry is the CEO of coffee roaster Klatch Coffee and has already seen the tariffs affect the coffee market. 'What's interesting is coffee has never been subject to tariffs before, because it does not grow in the U.S.,' she said. As she explained, if the 46% tariff on Vietnam takes effect, it would cause Robusta coffee to become more expensive than Arabica, and Vietnam is the largest grower of Robusta and the second-largest coffee producer in the world. 'For somebody like us, not only do you have a little less supply potentially available in the Arabica market if reciprocal tariffs were to take place, but you also have within specialty coffee some countries that would take some high tariffs. ' Sumatra has a 32% tariff. Sumatra, for us in particular, is a really big component of some of our biggest blends we sell. While at 10%, we are taking a little bit of a wait-and-see approach on the retail side of things, at 32%, that would be really impactful. We would have to absolutely either raise prices somehow or rework blends or a combination of the two.' The chaos has already forced Klatch to create a separate line item for tariffs. 'Assuming the tariffs go away, that line item goes away,' Perry said. 'So this does not become a permanent price increase but just something to absorb those costs of the tariffs so we can continue to maintain in other areas. On the retail side, we are playing a wait-and-see. We are both retail and wholesale, and my retail stores buy from the wholesale division of our company. So even if wholesale puts a tariff line to my stores on the retail side, I would incur that higher cost, and I would for the moment not pass anything on to consumers and just watch everything really closely.' Another issue Klatch has to consider is packaging, which they acquire from Hong Kong. 'We're trying to figure out if Hong Kong is subject to a 145% tariff or not,' Perry said. 'As you're trying to do your business planning and budgeting, it becomes very difficult. We're all kind of working off of best guesses at this point.' What can consumers do about tariffs? Both Coon and Perry agree that there's not much people can do. 'If you rush out and you panic and you try to buy all of these things now before the tariffs go into place, basic supply and demand causes the price to go up anyway,' he said. 'If you're the first one to stock up, you might luck out. But that'll just drive up prices for everybody else.' And unfortunately, the tariffs will affect low-income people the most. Perry suggested that people write to their Congresspeople and demand that the government keep coffee exempt from tariffs. 'Coffee should be exempt from tariffs,' Perry said. 'Coffee is a staple. It's been part of this country since its founding.' She said cheap coffee has experienced more of a price hike than specialty coffee, and to purchase the latter in bulk. 'Make sure you're buying really good coffee and make sure you're buying coffee from roasters that are finding you those values,' she said. 'You have to be more intentional with your dollar. What's really worth my dollar right now? Where do I taste and say, 'man, that's really delicious?' Where are you getting fresh roasted coffee from? Honestly, something found on your grocery shelves is probably not worth your money right now.' Trae Bodge, a smart shopping expert, recommended shopping online for deals. 'It's easier to compare prices across multiple e-tailers and utilize savings tools when you shop online,' Trae said. 'For example, installing a browser extension, like the Sidekick by will automatically alert you to available cashback offers and coupons that you click to activate. A tool like this will also run coupons for you at checkout.' She also suggested shopping at low-cost retailers like Dollar General and purchasing store brands instead of brand names. 'Store brands are typically cheaper and often have the same ingredient listing as the store brand,' she said. All of the volatility with the tariffs has given consumers and small businesses whiplash. It remains to be seen if the 90-day pause will be lifted or if the trade war with China will continue. Either way, we are living — and spending too much money — during these unprecedented times. 'I think there's a pretty good chance of a recession,' Coon said. 'If something doesn't give soon, it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better.' 'It's a wild ride,' Perry said. 'We're all just hanging on.' Hungry for more? Download our free Tasty app to browse and save 7,500+ free recipes — no subscription required.
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The 6 best decaf espresso beans for midafternoon brewing
This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, Digital Trends and Yahoo Inc. may earn a commission. Rich, dark, bold, and most importantly, decaf — decaf espresso beans are the perfect bean to have on hand when you want to a flavorful brew without the caffeine. I love having a bag of decaf espresso beans in my pantry at all times. As a coffee lover, I find myself needing to limit my caffeine intake or else I can quickly get carried away.. One thing is important to remember, however, as you shop for the best decaf coffee beans is that there's no such thing as "espresso beans,"as decaf espresso beans are just decaffeinated coffee beans that are roasted longer and at higher temperatures than regular coffee. The longer roasting process is crucial to the process, however, which allows the oils to be extracted from the beans and for the beans to develop a dark color and rich flavor. Check out these best decaf espresso beans for your midafternoon coffee break. Pros Environment-friendly option Easy to order from Amazon Features the richest taste for decaf beans Uses a CO2 method to remove caffeine Cons Not available in bulk Specification: Dried fruit Tasting notes Lavazza Decaf Espresso Roast surprised me immediately after the first taste. While I can't say I'm a huge fan of the packaging, let this be your lesson not to judge a book by it's cover. This best decaf espresso beans have a rich and full-bodied taste, creating the perfect crema when brewed with an espresso machine. Each cup I brewed had just the right flavor and was delicious when enjoying plain or using in espresso-based drinks like an Americano. I love making a decaf Americano using with these Lavazza beans. Lavazza's Decaf Espresso Roast contains a mixture of Arabica and Robusta beans. I'd describe the notes as slightly cereal with a hint of fruity sweetness. Lavazza uses a CO2 method of removing caffeine from these coffee beans, which is a better option for the environment than using chemical solvents. Overall, this decaf espresso bean product earns my top pick for consistency and flavor. As an Amazon fanatic, I like that I can quickly order this product right from Amazon, too. Lavazza Decaf Espresso Roast Best overall pick Pros USDA organic Brews a great espresso shot with crema Available on subscribe and save for a better value Roasted to order Cons Only available online Not as bold as some extra-dark roasts Specification: Cinnamon and nuts Tasting notes Swiss Water method Decaf method Klatch Coffee is one of my favorite coffee brands that offers exceptional value. For the price, you get quality decaf espresso beans that are USDA-certified organic and contain a blend of Indonesian, African, Central American, and South American coffees. Not only do I appreciate that this coffee is organic, but I like that it is also decaffeinated using the Swiss Water process (a decaf process that doesn't use any chemicals). The flavor of Klatch Coffee's Organic Decaf Espresso is exactly what I'm looking for when I brew a decaf shot of espresso. It's not quite as bold as some other espresso roasts, but has the perfect balanced medium-dark roast flavor. The freshness of these decaf espresso beans is also apparent, as Klatch Coffee's products are all "roasted to order" to preserve freshness. I also like that the bag is available in multiple sizes, giving you control to order just what you can reasonably use within the optimal freshness window. Klatch Coffee's decaf espresso bean earns "best value pick" for me, as it has everything I'm looking for when shopping for coffee, offering a solid value and reliable beans that taste delicious every time I brew them. Klatch Coffee Organic Decaf Espresso Best value pick Pros Available in 3 bag sizes Low-acid (pH 5.3) Comes in four ground sizes, including whole bean Cons Not as bold tasting as some other decaf espresso beans Available online only Specification: Spice and sweet caramel Tasting notes pH of 5.3 Low pH Finding decaf espresso beans can be challenging, as many brands on the market don't offer decaffeinated versions of espresso beans. If you're shopping for one that is also Kosher certified, options may be limited. Volcanica's Espresso Decaf Coffee is a great option for any shopper, especially those searching for a kosher option. These perfectly balanced decaf espresso beans have caramel-like notes and a low acid pH that's ideal for those with sensitive stomachs. Volcanica's Espresso Decaf Coffee uses the Swiss Water process to decaffeinate beans without the use of chemical solvents, such as methylene chloride or ethyl acetate. If whole beans aren't of interest, shoppers can also purchase these decaf espresso beans in pre-ground form in drip grounds, espresso grounds, or ground for French press coffee makers. Volcanica Espresso Decaf Coffee Best kosher certified Pros Swiss Water decaffeination method Coffee grown at 1,400 to 1,500 meters Roasted to order Offered in plenty of ground sizes Specification: Colombia and Uganda Source Swiss Water method Decaf method If you're looking for decaf espresso beans that are on the milder side, Verve Coffee Roasters Vancouver Decaf is your answer. Blended with beans sourced from Colombia and Uganda, these decaf espresso beans have slightly "sweet" notes of chocolate and candied almonds. The Vancouver Decaf blend, like all of Verve Coffee's roasts, are roasted to order to maintain optimal freshness. Vancouver Decaf delivers a dessert-like complexity that's awesome for brewing espresso to use when making drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. The Swiss Water process is a key feature of this blend. Verve Coffee Roasters ensures that coffee is decaffeinated using water only. Verve Coffee Roasters Vancouver Decaf Best fair trade Pros Lux packaging in a box instead of a bag (12-ounce size only) Available in large bag sizes such as 2 and 5 pounds Discounted subscription available Cons Not available in specific ground sizes Not roasted to order Doesn't specify decaffeination method, likely chemical based Specification: Hazelnut and sweet grain Tasting notes La Colombe Decaf Monte Carlo Dark Roast is great option for purchasing decaf espresso beans in bulk. If you live in a household that runs through a lot of decaf, you'll want to purchase the 2- or 5-pound bag option. This roast features a rich, full flavor with notes of hazelnut and sweet grain. Beans are sourced from Colombia for the perfect balance without the caffeine. La Colombe doesn't note the decaffeination method for this product, so it's likely to use chemical solvents. I like that this option is available on subscription with pre-paid options available, too. La Colombe Decaf Monte Carlo Dark Roast Best bulk Pros Customizable subscription available 2 bag sizes, 12 ounces or 5 pounds Cons No medium-size bags available May be too mild for those who prefer a stronger espresso flavor Specification: Dried fruit, graham, and cocoa Tasting notes Stumptown Coffee Roasters is well known as a top brand that offers a really great selection of various coffee beans. Its decaf espresso variety, called Trapper Creek, delivers the same quality I've experienced in other roasts. The brand describes this roast as "limited in caffeine, but not in flavor." This roast has a sweet and full-bodied flavor with notes of cocoa, graham, and dried fruit. Decaf coffee beans like the Trapper Creek roast can be put on a customizable subscription, allowing beans to be delivered right to your door. Stumptown Trapper Creek Decaf Best Swiss Water decaf More What to consider When I shop for decaf espresso beans, I like to focus on the roast and decaffeination method to help make a selection. You might also wish to purchase from brands that maintain fair trade practices or those that offer decaf espresso beans in bulk sizes (depending on how many coffee drinkers are in your household.) Decaffeination method Coffee beans can be decaffeinated through various indirect and direct methods. Some methods use chemical solvents to remove caffeine from beans, whereas others use the Swiss Water process. I prefer the flavor and chemical-free nature of Swiss Water process beans, however, these often have a higher price point than those made with chemical solvents. I find that the Swiss Water process preserves more of the coffee's true flavor. Preferred roast Roasts can vary with decaf espresso beans, ranging from a blend of medium to medium-dark to extra-dark roasts. Which you'll choose depends on your desired flavor preferences. The darker the coffee roast, the bolder the flavor. A medium-dark option such as Klatch Coffee Organic Decaf Espresso may be better if you prefer a slightly more mild brew. How we tested After grinding these whole decaf espresso beans, I tried each tested option four times to make a final decision about flavor and to monitor consistency. Brands that made this list deliver consistent flavor and quality. In addition to brewing as straight espresso shots, I tried each espresso in an espresso drink, such as a cappuccino, to see how the flavor of the decaf espresso came through when mixed with milk. Why trust us I love espresso and I love making espresso drinks. Over the years, I've learned that high-quality espresso beans are a must when trying to make cafe-level quality drinks at home. Decaf coffee often gets a bad reputation for lacking flavor, but even as a coffee fanatic, I can't tell the difference between these decaf espresso beans and caffeinated beans. The post The 6 best decaf espresso beans for midafternoon brewing appeared first on The Manual.
