Black Gold: The Dark History of Coffee

Coffee's journey from Ethiopia to the UK is a dark one, full of alchemy, anthropology, poetry, politics, science, and slavery. Antony Wild explores its colonial past, corporate present, and environmental destruction, revealing the shocking exploitation at the heart of the industry.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 408 pages
Publication date: 02 May 2019
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Coffee's journey from Ethiopia's highlands to the streets of every town in the country is a fascinating tale that intertwines alchemy, anthropology, poetry, politics, science, and slavery. It has a rich history that has seen plots hatched, blood spilled, and governments toppled to ensure a constant supply of fresh espresso. In this thought-provoking exposé, Antony Wild, a coffee trader and historian, delves into coffee's colonial past, its perilous corporate present, and the environmental destruction that threatens its future. He exposes the shocking exploitation that lies at the heart of the industry, shedding light on the complex web of relationships that shape the coffee trade.

Coffee's journey begins in the highlands of Ethiopia, where it has been cultivated for centuries. The coffee plant, native to Africa, is a small shrub that produces small, round berries. The berries are processed by roasting, grinding, and brewing, resulting in a rich, aromatic beverage that is beloved around the world.

However, coffee's journey to the modern world was not without its challenges. The coffee trade was initially dominated by European powers, who sought to control the supply and export of coffee beans. This led to the establishment of colonial empires, where coffee was grown on plantations and exported to Europe.

The colonial period was marked by exploitation and abuse of the indigenous people who grew coffee. Farmers were forced to work long hours in harsh conditions, and they were paid very little for their labor. In addition, the coffee trade was associated with slavery, as many African people were forced to work on coffee plantations without any compensation.

The effects of colonialism on the coffee industry were profound. The coffee trade was a major source of income for European powers, and it helped to fuel the growth of their economies. However, it also had a devastating impact on the indigenous people who grew coffee. The coffee trade led to the displacement of many indigenous people, as they were forced to leave their homes to work on plantations. It also contributed to the spread of diseases, as the indigenous people were exposed to new pathogens that they had not been previously exposed to.

The colonial period also saw the rise of corporate dominance in the coffee industry. Large multinational corporations began to control the supply and export of coffee beans, and they used their power to exploit the farmers and workers who were involved in the coffee trade. These corporations often paid low wages, and they used forced labor and child labor to produce coffee beans.

The environmental impact of the coffee industry has also been significant. Coffee plantations require large amounts of land, and they often use pesticides and fertilizers to grow coffee beans. These chemicals can have harmful effects on the environment, including soil erosion, water pollution, and biodiversity loss.

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the environmental and social impact of the coffee industry. There has been a movement to promote sustainable coffee practices, such as organic farming, fair trade, and shade-grown coffee. These practices aim to reduce the environmental impact of the coffee industry while also providing fair wages and working conditions for farmers and workers.

Despite these efforts, the coffee industry continues to face challenges. The demand for coffee is growing, and the supply is limited. This has led to competition between farmers and corporations, which can result in lower prices for farmers and increased exploitation of workers. In addition, the coffee industry is still associated with slavery and human rights abuses, as many farmers and workers are still forced to work in harsh conditions without any compensation.

In conclusion, coffee's journey from Ethiopia's highlands to the streets of every town in the country is a fascinating tale that intertwines alchemy, anthropology, poetry, politics, science, and slavery. It has a rich history that has seen plots hatched, blood spilled, and governments toppled to ensure a constant supply of fresh espresso. However, the coffee trade has also been marked by exploitation and abuse, and it has had a devastating impact on the indigenous people who grew coffee. The colonial period saw the rise of corporate dominance in the coffee industry, which used its power to exploit the farmers and workers who were involved in the trade. The environmental impact of the coffee industry has also been significant, and there is a growing movement to promote sustainable coffee practices. Despite these efforts, the coffee industry continues to face challenges, and it is essential to continue to raise awareness of the environmental and social impact of the coffee trade and to work towards a more sustainable and equitable future.

Weight: 224g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008353438