A common thread around the world is coffee. Coffee is a liquid that drives “productivity and civilization” and because of the importance of coffee in generations right now concerns about the Coffee Berry Borer is growing. The Coffee Berry Borer is a beetle that is endemic to Central Africa but can also be found in other countries that produce coffee beans. This beetle can live and withstand a massive amount of caffeine, a usual insecticide. It is estimated to withstand 500 shots of espresso for a 150- pound human. These beetles capability to withstand high caffeine levels and their addiction to coffee beans is potentially cutting crops of coffee beans by 80%.

Researchers have been studying potential solutions against this beetle who spends most of its natural life in a coffee bean.  A study by Lawrence Berkeley scientists believe that the bacterial species in the beetles’ digestive tract allows it to safely live in a coffee bean and break down caffeine before what usually would kill other insects. Javier Ceja-Navaro, Lawrence Berkeley scientist, believes that if we can “develop a way to disrupt the bacteria and make caffeine as toxic to this pest as it is to other insects” the beetle population will reduce without the use of pesticides. Other solutions include having more trees near coffee bean farms as birds will be more attracted to high population trees and will potentially eat the insects.

To read more on the Coffee Berry Borer, click here.

Keurig Green Mountain has announced a new collaboration with the coffee company Community Coffee based in Baton Rouge. This multi-year agreement will allow Community Coffee to expand its relationship with Keurig. David Belanger, President and CEO of Community Coffee states, “Partnering with Keurig allows us to further extend our products in a format that is highly desired by consumers and we are very excited about this opportunity.”

The newly produced and licensed Community Coffee “K-Cups” for Keurig machines will start coming out in the Spring of this year. Community Coffee will also be introducing packs for other Keurig products such as  commercial brewing systems used in restaurants and offices and for the K-Carafes which brew up to four cups of coffee at once. Another benefit from the agreement is that Community Coffee will be sold through Keurig’s website and company store based in Burlington, Massachusetts.

One of Community Coffee’s goals is to align its brand along with the strongest coffee brands, and the agreement with Keurig will certainly help achieve this goal. Johnny Whoriskey, president of U.S. sales and marketing for Keurig states that, “Welcoming a premium brand like Community Coffee into the mix means the loyal fans of Community Coffee will be able to enjoy the coffee they know and love with the quality and consistency they expect from their Keurig brewer.” To  read more about the partnership, click here