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BREW TIME

Take time out to get in the know at what is happening
in the hot beverages market

New coffee genetic map
promises better brews

Scientists have unravelled the genetic secrets of
coffee in a discovery they say paves the way for
more flavoursome brews.
Researchers in Italy pieced together the most
complete genetic map yet of Arabica coffee, the
world's most popular drink.
The new insights into the plant's genetic make-up will help in the
breeding of new coffee crops.
And it may lead to coffee plants that can cope better in a warming
world.
This article first appeared on the BBC website on the 23 January 2024.
The full article can be read here.

Tea: Could used leaves help
make water cleaner? “You’re kidding yourselves if

People in Northern Ireland love their tea, you think they’re coming
drinking an average of four to six cups a day. just for your coffee!”
But when does a habit become a problem? This is the startling claim from Ian Atkinson, owner of
Possibly when all those cuppas result in millions Atkinsons coffee roasters in Lancaster.
of teabags which may end up in landfill,
generating climate-changing methane. But it’s been said before and he now has the stats to
back it up, courtesy of Google. In the Top Ten words, a
But a tea-loving scientist at Queen's University Belfast has found a way coffee-related name doesn’t appear until 5th place; even
of using that tea waste, which could improve health and save lives then, it’s a milky coffee! At least it’s a Flat White, a drink
around the world as well as keep it out of landfill. that we have won the Best Flat White Award in the UK.
Dr Chirangano Mangwandi, a lecturer in chemical engineering,
suspected tea leaves could be used in wastewater treatment to The next mention of a coffee in the word count is the
remove pollutants. syphon, which is very encouraging, as this is our theatre
This article first appeared on the BBC website on the 4th February of single origins, where we try to show off our wide
2024. The full article can be read here. selection of Speciality Coffees. It appears in joint 5th
place along with the Latte and something called ‘baked’ -
the only mention of our delicious cakes, freshly baked on
Cocoa & robusta coffee see site in the bakery.
significant price increases Surprisingly the number one slot is firmly occupied by

Global cocoa prices have hit a fresh record high our sandwiches, with 26 mentions, worth all that effort
from the team that goes into them from early doors
as dry weather hurts crops in West Africa. every day. I’m intrigued that the humble toastie punches
Cocoa prices on the New York commodities so well above its weight. Fresh local quality ingredients
market reached a new all-time high of $5,874 on Lovingly Artisan sourdough bread is the key.
(£4,655) a ton on Thursday (8th February).
Soaring cocoa prices are already filtering through Now we get to the interesting bit; in second and joint JANUARY/FEBRUARY. 2024 | ISSUE 34
to consumers and squeezing major chocolate makers. third place we find what we call the ‘extrinsic’ values, as
Robusta prices reach the highest levels in 29 years due to supply opposed to the intrinsic qualities in the actual cup. 13
problems and record-low stocks. The ICO says the I-CIP for robusta points for atmosphere, 8 for hipster and music. This
reached US 148.47c/lb in January 2024. representing the highest level validates my annoying habit of going around curating the
since November 1994. Supply continues to be restricted in Vietnam place, turning table lights on, turning the music up,
and Indonesia, compounded by record low ICE stocks. checking the plants. As Keeper of the Flame it’s also my
These articles appeared on the BBC & Coffee News web sites week job to be the ‘Ambience Sommelier’…
commencing 5th February 2024. If you have never met Ian or visited his businesses in
Lancaster, I can recommend a visit. Find out more here.

www.beveragestandardsassociation.co.uk