A Lebanese consumer’s response to climate change
- Unfiltered
- Mar 10, 2019
- 2 min read
By Zeinab Makki
There are two staple foods present in a Lebanese person’s diet: hummus and coffee. Both are a part of the country’s culture and can be eaten at the same time. The latter, however, faces trouble as the impacts of climate change persist.
Researchers at Blom Invest Bank in Beirut suggested that because Lebanon mainly relies on imports for its supply of coffee beans, it hence receives the secondary effect of climate change from its exporters. They also insisted that this would not have an impact on Lebanese coffee consumers as their taste buds were acquired to a lower quality taste.
Fahid Soufan, 31, is a Lebanese businessman who takes his coffee differently depending on where in the world he is; mainly Sierra Leone, Pakistan, or Lebanon.
“Like most things I enjoy and indulge in, I would only want the best of its kind. In this case, I would definitely not settle for lower quality beans. I would rather switch to something else like tea instead,” he says.
Soufan’s taste buds contradict the findings of the researchers. His preference is for the better quality regardless of the price.
“Consumers need to take into consideration that everything is changing in the world. In my opinion, if we are coffee drinkers, then regardless of the change, we will always enjoy a cup of coffee when needed.”
Stronger droughts and higher temperatures do not only pose problems for the farmers harvesting the beans and the companies selling the brew but also for the addicts and those permitting the occasional indulgence.
As Fahid’s opinion proves, the decline in coffee supplies could turn this morning standard into a luxury. Whether or not consumers are willing to pay more for the same quality, pay the same for lower quality, or even switch to tea depends on the consumer.
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