Introducing: Series Three of A History of Coffee

From Filter Stories - Coffee Documentaries by James Harper

December 29, 2025 · 3 min · Season 7

About this episode

The episode explores the complex history and cultural significance of coffee, its impact on society, and the importance of equity in the coffee industry.

We’re back with more stories about the tiny psychoactive seed that changed the world and continues to shape our lives today. Is it possible to follow the story not just to Ethiopia, not just to a single town, but all the way back to one tree? We’ll uncover the uncomfortable history of Guatemala — a story about who inherited the rich volcanic soil, and who was forced to work it. We explore what happens when our worst nightmare comes true: coffee disappears from the shelves. What did people brew instead? Was any of it actually drinkable? And we tell the story of how coffee can shape the massive port city of Hamburg, and how Hamburg then went on to shape the global coffee world. If we want to make coffee a more equitable industry that’s also kinder to the environment, a place to start is understanding the stories and systems that put the coffee into your cup this morning. Press the ‘Subscribe’ button so you don’t miss future episodes.A History of Coffee is a collaboration between documentary maker James Harper of the Filter Stories coffee podcast and Jonathan Morris, Professor of History and author of ‘Coffee: A Global History’. Follow us on Instagram! Jonathan Morris…

People in this episode

Host: James Harper

Topics covered

history of coffee
coffee industry
equity in coffee
environmental impact
cultural significance

Keywords

coffee
history
Guatemala
Ethiopia
Hamburg
equity
environment
Mahlkönig

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Coffee: A Global History

Places: Ethiopia, Guatemala, Hamburg