First wave coffee is exemplified by the big name brands you’ll find in the
coffee aisle in the supermarket. The first wave of coffee could be considered
to have begun with the Boston Tea Party. It was characterized by the industrial
coffee production that established coffee’s availability and popularity
globally. First wave coffee is widely considered the antithesis of the
small-batch artisanal fare offered by third wave
If first wave coffee conjures associations with big brands in the coffee aisle,
second wave coffee should evoke sweet, flavored coffee in a to-go cup picked up
at a drive-through window. There’s no question that the second wave of coffee
improved upon the first. Second wave giant coffee chains served to revitalize
coffee shop cafe culture and at least began to acknowledge details like the
country of origin for some of their products. However, the focus was, and
remains, on splashier coffee drinks with a variety of added flavors, while the
coffee itself still tends toward the heavily roasted and bitter. The second
wave coffee brands can now be found, often in greater numbers, alongside the
first wave brands on supermarket shelves.
The third wave of coffee is a game-changing approach to virtually every element
of the coffee industry. It is about recognizing coffee’s versatile and unique
artisanal potential rather than treating it like a homogenous industrial commodity.
Third wave coffee is also likely to be a lighter roast than the alternatives to
accentuate high-quality coffee’s natural tasting notes. The core of the third
wave of coffee movement focuses on sustainably sourcing exceptional coffee via
direct trade relationships with small farmers. Paying a premium rate for
premium coffee supports farmers and economies in developing nations, promotes
sustainability, and contributes to the support and protection of special,
unique coffee cultivars and varieties. In addition to being a more
conscientious and constructive model, the third wave means a practical benefit
for coffee lovers: extraordinary coffee. Find a third wave coffee roaster from
which you can
