Bitter Barista

Coffee is at a critical moment, and our columnist is looking to the future without confidence – because confidence is what got us here. It’s time for a better solution

Have you ever stood on the edge of a cliff and looked down? For most of us, it’s a vertigo-inducing moment. The thrill of the height, the depth of perspective, the sinking feeling in your stomach, the cold chill of the risk.

After a momentous decade, UK speciality coffee stands on the edge. There’s a sense that our tomorrows may be more challenging than our yesterdays, and that despite our achievements, there’s still much work to be done. Having learned our craft, honed our stories and developed our style, it’s increasingly clear that the status quo is unsustainable. As a result, we are suffering a collective moment of uncertainty.