Latest news with #JuanValdez
Web Release
15 hours ago
- Business
- Web Release
Bye-Bye Monday Blues, Hello Unlimited Brews at Juan Valdez!
Mondays just got a serious upgrade. Juan Valdez is turning your weekday slump into a caffeine-fueled celebration with its brand-new Anti-Monday Blues offer: unlimited coffee with your breakfast order for just AED 68. Whether you're easing into the workweek or powering through back-to-back meetings, this deal has your coffee cravings covered. From bold espressos to smooth lattes, enjoy bottomless refills of premium 100% Colombian coffee—all day long, every Monday. Start your week on a delicious note at any Juan Valdez location in Jumeirah 2. Because coffee should never be limited—and neither should your Monday motivation. OFFER · Available every Monday | AED 68 for unlimited coffee with any breakfast order · Location: Juan Valdez, Jumeirah 2
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lost in the coffee aisle? Navigating the complex buzzwords behind an ‘ethical' bag of beans is easier said than done
You're shopping for a bag of coffee beans at the grocery store. After reading about the effects of climate change and how little farmers make – typically $0.40 per cup – you figure it might be time to change your usual beans and buy something more ethical. Perusing the shelves in the coffee aisle, though, you see too many choices. First up is the red tub of Folgers '100% Colombian,' a kitchen staple – 'lively with a roasted and rich finish.' On the side of the tub, you see the icon of Juan Valdez with his donkey, Conchita – a fictional mascot representing the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation. Next might be Starbucks 'Single-Origin Colombia.' One side of the green bag tells 'the story' of the beans, describing 'treacherous dirt roads' to '6,500 feet of elevation' that are 'worth the journey every time.' The other shows a QR code and promises Starbucks is 'Committed to 100% Ethical Coffee Sourcing in partnership with Conservation International.' Then again, you've heard that a 'better' choice would be to buy from local cafes. The bag from your local roaster introduces you to La Familia Vieira of Huila, Colombia, who have worked as coffee farmers for four generations at 1,600 meters above sea level – about a mile. But then there's a flood of unfamiliar lingo: the 88-point anerobic-processed coffee was sourced directly from an importer who has a six-year relationship with the family, paid $3.70 per pound at farmgate, and $6.10 per pound FOB at a time when the C-market price was $1.60 per pound. If you're about ready to toss in the towel, you're hardly alone. Consumers are often asked to make more responsible choices. Yet when it comes to commodity goods like coffee, the complex production chain can turn an uncomplicated habit into a complicated decision. As a coffee enthusiast and marketing professor who researches marketplace justice, I've long been fascinated with how ethics and coffee consumption are intertwined. Before COVID-19, my family adopted a cat and named him Yukro, after a coffee-producing community in Ethiopia. While we were quarantining at home, I ordered Yukro-originating coffee from as many roasters as I could find to try to understand how consumers were supposed to make an informed choice. Paradoxically, the more information I gleaned, the less I knew how to make a responsible decision. Indeed, prior research has indicated that information overload increases the paradox of choice; this is no different when factoring in ethical information. Additionally, as with a lot of consumer-facing information, it can be difficult to tell what information is relevant or credible. Marketers attempt to simplify this overload by using buzzwords that sound good but may not get across much nuance. However, you might consider some of these terms when trying to decide between '100% Colombian' and the Vieira family. As a benchmark, the coffee industry typically uses the 'C-price': the traded price on the New York Intercontinental Exchange for a pound of coffee ready for export. 'Fair trade' implies the coffee is fairly traded, often with the goal of paying farmers minimum prices – and fixed premiums – above the C-price. There are a few different fair trade certifications, such as Fairtrade America or Fair Trade Certified. Each of these has its own, voluntary certification standards linked with the associated organization. Yet obtaining certification can come at significant additional cost for farms or importers. In contrast, some importers, or even roasters, have established relationships with specific farms, rather than buying beans at auction on the open market. These relationships potentially allow the importers to work directly with farmers over multi-year periods to improve the coffee quality and conditions. Longer-term commitment can provide farmers more certainty in times when the C-price is below their cost of production. Yet these arrangements can be just as volatile for farmers if the importers they've committed to cannot find roasters interested in buying their beans – beans they could have sold at auction themselves. There are several species of coffee, but approximately 70% of the world's production comes from the arabica species, which grows well at higher altitudes. Like with wine, there are several varieties of arabica, and they tend to be a bit sweeter than other species – making arabica the ideal species for satisfying consumers. In other words, a label like '100% arabica' is meant to signal deliciousness and prestige – though it's about as descriptive as calling a bottle of pinot noir '100% red.' When it comes to the environment, though, arabica isn't necessarily a win. Many arabica varieties are susceptible to climate change-related conditions such as coffee rust – a common fungus that spreads easily and can devastate farms – or drought. Other coffee species such as robusta or the less common eugenioides are more climate-change resistant, reducing costs of production for farmers, and are cheaper on commodity markets. However, they have a bit of a different taste profile than what folks are normally used to, which could mean lower earnings for farmers who make the switch, but could also provide new opportunities in areas where coffee was not previously farmed or to new markets of consumers' tastes. If someone labeled a peach as 'American,' a consumer would rightly wonder where exactly it came from. Similarly, 'single-origin' is a very broad description that could mean the coffee came from 'Africa' or 'Ethiopia' or 'Jimma Zone' – even the zone's specific town of 'Agaro.' 'Single-estate' at least gives slightly more farm-level information, though even this information may be tough to come by. Consumers have tended to want their coffee's journey from seed to cup to be traceable and transparent, which implies that everyone along the production chain is committed to equity – and 'single-origin' appears to provide those qualities. As a result, some coffee marketers invest quite a bit in being able to craft a narrative that emotionally resonates with consumers and makes them feel 'connected' to the farm. Others have developed blockchain solutions where each step along the coffee's journey, from bean to retail, is documented in a database that consumers can look at. Since blockchain data are immutable, the information a consumer gets from scanning a QR code on a label of a coffee bag should provide a clear chain of provenance. Shade-grown labels indicate that farms have adopted a more environmentally sustainable method, using biomatter like dead leaves as natural fertilizer for the coffee shrubs growing beneath a canopy of trees. Unlike other methods, shade-grown coffee doesn't increase deforestation, and it protects habitats for animals like migratory birds – which is why the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, which has developed its own coffee certification program, calls it 'bird-friendly.' But as with fair trade, there are costs associated with certification, and those costs are often passed on to consumers. Farmers or importers are left justifying the cost and wondering if the specialized label can attract a large enough market to validate their decision to certify. That said, many farmers who have the ability will do shade-grown regardless, since it's a better farming practice and saves some costs on fertilizer. In the end, all this information – or lack thereof – is a tool for consumers to use when making their coffee choices. Like any tool, sometimes it's helpful, and sometimes not. These labels might not make your decision any easier, and might drive you right back to your 'usual' bag of beans – but at least your choice can be more nuanced. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Spencer M. Ross, UMass Lowell Read more: How a coffee company and a marketing maven brewed up a Passover tradition: A brief history of the Maxwell House Haggadah What can board games teach students about climate change? Starbucks fans are steamed: The psychology behind why changes to a rewards program are stirring up anger, even though many will get grande benefits Spencer M. Ross is a former member of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and has presented seminars twice at SCA events.
Web Release
19-05-2025
- Business
- Web Release
Juan Valdez Opens in Dubai Mall: Bringing 100% Premium Colombian Coffee to the Heart of the City
Juan Valdez Opens in Dubai Mall: Bringing 100% Premium Colombian Coffee to the Heart of the City Coffee lovers, get ready! Juan Valdez has opened its doors in Dubai Mall's Lower Ground (LG), next to Nando's. This marks the brand's second branch in Dubai and third in the UAE, bringing its 100% premium Colombian coffee experience to one of the world's most iconic shopping destinations. Juan Valdez Dubai Mall will offer its signature beverage menu, featuring the brand's finest Colombian coffee, alongside an exclusive food selection. Guests can indulge in freshly baked pastries, croissants, gourmet sandwiches, quiches, muffins, cheesecakes, and a variety of healthy salads and wraps—all perfectly paired with their favorite coffee. Stepping into Juan Valdez Dubai Mall, guests will be greeted by a cozy yet refined interior, creating the perfect spot to relax and recharge. The branch will feature a large premium Colombian coffee beans display, allowing coffee enthusiasts to explore and take home the finest beans from Colombia. Opening Offer To mark its grand debut, Juan Valdez at Dubai Mall is serving up an irresistible treat — enjoy 50% off your favorite brews and bites for a limited time (merchandise and coffee beans excluded). Experience the rich aromas and bold flavors of Juan Valdez coffee at Dubai Mall. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the brand, this new location promises an unparalleled Colombian coffee experience in the heart of Dubai. ? Location: Dubai Mall – Lower Ground (LG), next to Nando's. ? Opening Hours: 10 -12 am.
Spectator
30-04-2025
- General
- Spectator
Was Nixon solely to blame for the fall of Saigon?
At 7.53 a.m. on Tuesday 30 April 1975, 50 years ago today, Sergeant Juan Valdez boarded a Sea Knight helicopter sent from aircraft carrier USS Midway that had landed a few minutes earlier on the roof of the US embassy in Saigon. He was the last US soldier to be evacuated from Vietnam. As he scurried to the rooftop, he was aware that some 420 Vietnamese, who had been promised evacuation, were left in the courtyard below. They faced an uncertain fate. The day before it had been reported to Washington that Saigon Airport was under persistent rocket attack. Escape by airplane became impossible. President Gerald Ford explained: 'The military situation deteriorated rapidly. I therefore ordered the evacuation of all American personnel remaining in Vietnam'. Back in New York, President Nixon's Secretary of State was not a happy man. A crestfallen Henry Kissinger cancelled his tickets to see Noel Coward's play, Present Laughter.
What's On
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
6 affordable Eid gifting ideas in Abu Dhabi
Treat yours without breaking the bank… Eid is almost upon us, and that means family, friends, celebrations, and…gifting. Here are 6 affordable Eid gifting ideas in Abu Dhabi. A treasure chest from… FLOWWOW The best part? You can just send them to your friends or family, and they won't (necessarily) need to hunt for it. Why? Because this isn't just a regular treasure chest, it's loaded with an exquisite collection of premium Arabian treats such as chocolate-covered pistachio maamoul, Arabic baklava, Turkish delight, caramel pecans, almond dragees, mixed nuts, a crystal essence bukhoor burner, a Turkish coffee kanaka and other treats. You can also show off the treasure chest as a display piece long after the treats are gone. The pomegranate is a symbol of abundance, prosperity and good fortune, we're told. Gift your loved ones these neat ceramic pomegranate-shaped bowls, hand-painted with gold dots and trimming – they make for a beautiful addition to your living space, kitchen counter or coffee table. Ideal for when you want to grab your favourite nibbles, or to serve snacks or ice-cream when you have guests over. Dhs145, Wicks and Pages Candle Poured here in the UAE, each of their candles is made of 100 per cent soy wax, and lead-free and zinc-free cotton wicks. They also use carcinogen-free, non-toxic fragrance oils, infused with essential oils. Explore their great line of scents, including Desert Stories , Netflix & Chill , Mince Pie , and Spiced Orange . Cliched? Just give 'em a whiff. from Dhs45, Humantra Apricot Electrolyte Mix Our guess is you and yours are going to be running around a good bit over the holidays, so this is a good option to stay hydrated. The UAE's favourite electrolyte drink mix brand, Humantra has just released a cool new Qamar al-Din inspired Apricot flavour, and you'll want to grab a box (or get your loved ones one) this Eid. With those cherished winter feels booking their departures as abruptly as they made their entrance, a hydrating electrolyte mix is one surefire way to stay charged over the holidays. Get yours now on Deliveroo. Dhs125, @deliveroo_ae A razor-sharp makeover at AKIN Give your loved ones the gift of looking sharp this Eid, at AKIN. Holidays are a time of togetherness, and that means new experiences, adventures, and photo-ops. AKIN's first Abu Dhabi outlet at Al Raha beach, complemented by gorgeous seaside views and a welcome coffee when you arrive makes this the ideal spot for a tune up or fresh look so you look great in your pictures, and feel better. Let their master hairdressers tend to your tresses, give you that 'gramworthy fade, or an incredible hot towel shave that will leave you looking and feeling like a million bucks. They also stock a great line-up of grooming products and a cool t- shirt collection (that's a gift idea in itself). Get a gift voucher here. AKIN, Al Raha Beach, Abu Dhabi, 9am to 8pm daily. @akinbarber Juan Valdez Coffee If we had a Dirham for every time we heard people say 'I'm looking for a practical gift'… And if you're a connoisseur of authentic roasts like we are, you'll definitely want to give this one a try. Juan Valdez has arrived in the capital with a whole lot of legacy and an amazing line of Colombian coffees, and the brand new Abu Dhabi outlet promises a dining experience that complements its signature brews. Let this renowned Colombian coffee brand help you stay wired during the Eid break, so you can stay at peak energy levels throughout your itinerary of holiday ideas, plans and socialising. @ > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
