Name: The life cycle of a cup of coffee
Uploaded: 2021-01-04T21:28:06Z
Duration: 4 min 46 s
Description: How many people does it take to make a cup of coffee? For many of us, all it takes is a short walk and a quick pour. But this simple staple is the result of a globe-spanning process whose cost and complexity are far greater than you might imagine. AJ Jacobs traces the journey of this caffeinated elixir from seed to cup. [Directed by Biljana Labovic, narrated by Addison Anderson].

A.J. Jacobs: The life cycle of a cup of coffee

The life cycle of a cup of coffee

How many people does it take to make a cup of coffee? For many of us, all it takes is a short walk and a quick pour. But this simple staple is the result of a globe-spanning process whose cost and complexity are far greater than you might imagine. AJ Jacobs traces the journey of this caffeinated elixir from seed to cup. [Directed by Biljana Labovic, narrated by Addison Anderson].

The journey from coffee farm to morning cup is a vast and intricate process. In Colombia, harvesters pick over 25 kilograms of coffee cherries per shift, often for very low wages, before the beans travel thousands of miles and undergo expert grading, roasting, and delivery. Each stage, from handpicking at high altitudes to precision roasting in city warehouses, involves specialized skills and intense labor. While coffee fuels millions daily, its value is built on the hard work of many, often underappreciated, people.