Coffee prices in the US have climbed more than 20% since August last year, this according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This surge coincides with a broader jump in grocery costs, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising 0.6% from July to August and 2.7% year-over-year. The ongoing government shutdown has delayed September’s CPI report, now scheduled for release on October 24.
The increase in coffee prices is driven by poor harvests in major producing countries like Brazil and Vietnam, along with higher transportation and labor costs. Limited supply and growing demand are pushing up prices for both roasters and consumers, raising concerns about further inflation in global markets.
Coffee is perhaps the most famous beverage on the planet. For many, it’s a ritual and a social glue that shapes the trajectory of every single day. But the story of coffee isn’t simply about how it came to fill cups across the globe; it’s a tale that has been woven from the threads of religion, science, empire, labor, and rebellion.
This beverage has helped forge communities and fuel revolutions. It has built economies and destroyed ecosystems. Coffee has been praised as a gift and even condemned as a vice, but where did it come from? And how did it spread to every part of the planet and almost every household worldwide? Click through this gallery to find out.