#Beverages in Africa

[omegaversereloaded]

Coca-Cola is now on the official BDS boycott list!

From the website:

November 2024

1) Why?

Because Coca-Cola is implicated in Israeli war crimes.

According to research by WhoProfits, the Central Beverage Company, known as Coca-Cola Israel, which is the exclusive franchisee of the Coca-Cola Company in Israel, “operates a regional distribution center and cooling houses in the [Israeli] Atarot Settlement Industrial Zone.” Furthermore, its subsidiary, Tabor Winery, “produces wines from grapes sourced from vineyards located on occupied land in settlements in the West Bank and Syrian Golan.” 

The International Court of Justice affirmed in July 2024 that Israel’s entire occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is illegal, as are all Israeli settlements built on occupied land. As Israeli settlements – on occupied Palestinian and Syrian land – are considered war crimes under international law, Coke is complicit in a war crime. 

Corporations that are implicated in the commission of international crimes connected to Israel’s unlawful occupation, racial segregation and apartheid regime - within or beyond the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967 - are all complicit and must be held accountable. Direct complicity includes military, logistical, intelligence, financial and infrastructure support. The corporations, as well as their boards of directors and executives, may face criminal liability for this complicity.

Local alternatives are popping up worldwide to substitute Coca-Cola, an unnecessary and replaceable beverage

Local alternatives to Coca-Cola have been gaining market share across the world, including in Palestine, China, Bangladesh, Sweden, Egypt, India, South Africa, Turkey, Lebanon and elsewhere.

2) Why NOW?

The BDS movement has always considered Coca-Cola boycottable but has not prioritized it as a target based on its careful and strategic target-selection criteria, so why endorse the Coke boycott now? 

Human rights and health activists, among many others, have been campaigning against Coca-Cola and similarly complicit corporations for decades, including grassroots drives targeting the company for its complicity in Israel’s gross violations of Palestinian human rights. 

During Israel’s ongoing, livestreamed genocide, Israeli soldiers have often been pictured with Coke cans, donated to them by various genocide-enabling groups. This has provoked even more anger against the company, particularly given that Israel is starving 2.3 million Palestinians in the occupied and besieged Gaza Strip, severely limiting their access to clean water and, as a result, inducing the mass spread of contagious diseases. 

Given this context, Palestinian activists in Gaza and many BDS activists in the Arab world, in many Muslim-majority countries, and in some European countries as well, have called on the BDS movement to add Coke to its priority targets.

The BDS movement had previously targeted General Mills for its manufacturing of Pillsbury products in the illegal Atarot Settlement Industrial Zone - the same Zone where the Coke facility operates. Thanks to effective BDS campaigning, we won the demand for General Mills to end its business in Atarot. We know a campaign against Coke is winnable too. 

Based on all the above, and given Coke’s large contribution (through business-as-usual and taxes) to Israel’s war chest during the genocide, the Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC), the largest Palestinian coalition leading the global BDS movement, has endorsed the grassroots, organic #BoycottCoke campaigns to pressure the company to end its complicity in Israel’s illegal occupation, apartheid and genocide. 

UPDATED VERSION!!!!

[greytrixafrica]

ERP Beverage Industry

Address food and beverage service gaps seamlessly with Sage X3 food and beverage ERP software and overcome industry challenges.

[iamromao]

[jovialbasementbouquetblr]

2024: Shandong Requests Comments on Donkey Hide Gelatin Industry Development

Now that many African countries have banned exports of donkey hides, a popular ingredient in Traditional Chinese Medicine drugs, the PRC processors and manufacturers are considering their response. The Shandong Province Department of Industry and Information Technology has just released a request for comments, translated below, on its draft policy which includes boosting donkey breeding within…

[sports9885]

Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the beverage coolers market, valued at USD 1,29,028.82 thousand in 2022, will reach USD 2,04,105.37 thousand by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period of 2023 to 2030. In addition to the market insights such as market value, growth rate, market segments, geographical coverage, market players, and market scenario, the market report curated by the Data Bridge Market Research team includes in-depth expert analysis, import/export analysis, pricing analysis, production consumption analysis, and consumer behavior.

[sandersstudies]

When I take plain coffee, cacao, and tea I literally feel like oooooh yeah thank you ancient cultures you guys were fucking it up when you decided to cultivate these. Thank you ancient Americas for cocoa thank you ancient Africa and Arabia for coffee thank you ancient Asia for tea.

Also thank you ancient India for sugar which we put in ALL these beverages.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Kalim’s favorite food is coconuts because the coconut is the hardest food to poison. Meaning he likes it because he knows there is a very slim chance it would be poison for him. 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

Kalim’s favorite food is actually specified to be coconut juice! This is important because (as I’ve speculated about in this post):

Aside from being a refreshing beverage, coconut juice has historically been used to reverse the effects of poisons and drug overdoses in both India and Africa. We know that Kalim has had multiple attempts on his life, including intentional poisoning of his food, so this may be why Kalim has acquired a taste for coconut juice.

But yeah, overall similar reasoning to what you proposed! It’s a way to fend off any ingested poisons and/or go minimize the chances of being poisoned in the first place.

When you think of it like that, it paints Kalim’s golden life in a darker coat. There’s the sinister implication that his preference for coconut juice originated from the anxiety of knowing anything else he put to his lips could end him. Recall that Kalim is also hesitant to eat anything that Jamil didn’t personally prepare for him or hasn’t been taste tested in advance.

Typically when we think of Kalim, we think of extravagance and perhaps the ignorance his insane wealth affords him. Those are valid things to associate with him. However, considering the numerous assassination attempts he has lived through, it’s possible to look at his opulence another way too.

Kalim appears to be acutely aware that others want him dead, yet he sparingly mentions it out loud and instead parties hard and tries to make others have fun with him. He lives every day to its fullest, because it may very well be his last. If and when he goes out—which could literally be any day now—he doesn’t want to live with any regrets.

I cannot imagine it’s easy to live with the burden of knowing people are out for your head simply because your exist or because you were born into the wrong family. Sure, you may be able to have any luxury your heart desires, but money ultimately cannot cover up or treat the ever-looming threat of death (and again, I must stress: for no crime you have personally committed but just the circumstances you are in). Yet whenever we see Kalim, he’s usually smiling and offering a helping hand to his peers. He’s still actively choosing to give his trust to others rather than be suspicious or condemn them. That’s a special kind of courage that I think Kalim doesn’t get enough recognition for.

[athena5898]

🔻NEW OFFICIAL BOYCOTT TARGET🔻

Palestinian BDS National Committee:

Coca-Cola: Quenching “Israel’s” genocidal soldiers’ thirst

1) Why?

Because Coca-Cola is implicated in “Israeli” war crimes.

According to research by WhoProfits (https://www.whoprofits.org/companies/company/4081?the-central-bottling-company-cbc-coca-cola-israel), (https://www.whoprofits.org/companies/company/4081?the-central-bottling-company-cbc-coca-cola-israel) the Central Beverage Company, known as Coca-Cola “Israel”, which is the exclusive franchisee of the Coca-Cola Company in “Israel”, “operates a regional distribution center and cooling houses in the [Israeli] Atarot Settlement Industrial Zone.” Furthermore, its subsidiary, Tabor Winery, “produces wines from grapes sourced from vineyards located on occupied land in settlements in the West Bank and Syrian Golan.” 

The International Court of Justice affirmed in July 2024 that “Israel’s” entire occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is illegal, as are all “Israeli” settlements built on occupied land. As “Israeli” settlements – on occupied Palestinian and Syrian land – are considered war crimes under international law, Coke is complicit in a war crime. 

Corporations that are implicated in the commission of international crimes connected to “Israel’s” unlawful occupation, racial segregation and apartheid regime—within or beyond the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967–are all complicit and must be held accountable. Direct complicity includes military, logistical, intelligence, financial and infrastructure support. The corporations, as well as their boards of directors and executives, may face criminal liability (https://www.somo.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Obligations-of-Third-States-and-Corporations-to-Prevent-and-Punish-Genocide-in-Gaza-3.pdf) for this complicity.

Local alternatives are popping up worldwide to substitute Coca-Cola, an unnecessary and replaceable beverage.

Local alternatives to Coca-Cola have been gaining market share across the world, including in Palestine, China, Bangladesh, Sweden, Egypt, India, South Africa, Turkey, Lebanon and elsewhere.

2) Why NOW?

The BDS movement has always considered Coca-Cola boycottable but has not prioritized it as a target based on its careful and strategic target-selection criteria (https://www.instagram.com/bdsnationalcommittee/p/C7RY0Y4C-xu/), (https://www.instagram.com/bdsnationalcommittee/p/C7RY0Y4C-xu/) so why endorse the Coke boycott now? 

Human rights and health activists, among many others, have been campaigning against Coca-Cola and similarly complicit corporations for decades, including grassroots drives targeting the company for its complicity in “Israel’s” gross violations of Palestinian human rights. 

During “Israel’s” ongoing, livestreamed genocide, “Israeli” soldiers have often been pictured with Coke cans, donated (https://www.timesofisrael.com/over-100000-soldiers-to-receive-bamba-and-coke-thursday/) to them by various genocide-enabling groups. This has provoked even more anger against the company, particularly given that “Israel” is starving 2.3 million Palestinians in the occupied and besieged Gaza Strip, severely limiting their access to clean water and, as a result, inducing the mass spread of contagious diseases. 

Given this context, Palestinian activists in Gaza (https://x.com/QudsNen/status/1827696428795482136) and many BDS activists in the Arab world, in many Muslim-majority countries, and in some European countries as well, have called on the BDS movement to add Coke to its priority targets.

The BDS movement had previously targeted General Mills for its manufacturing of Pillsbury products in the illegal Atarot Settlement Industrial Zone - the same Zone where the Coke facility operates. Thanks to effective BDS campaigning, we won the demand (https://bdsmovement.net/news/victory-general-mills-divest-from-apartheid-israel) for General Mills to end its business in Atarot. We know a campaign against Coke is winnable too. 

Based on all the above, and given Coke’s large contribution (through business-as-usual and taxes) to “Israel’s” war chest during the genocide, the Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC), the largest Palestinian coalition leading the global BDS movement, has endorsed the grassroots, organic #BoycottCoke campaigns to pressure the company to end its complicity in “Israel’s” illegal occupation, apartheid and genocide. 

BoycottCoke

[theafroamericaine]

Soul Food: A Black American Cuisine

Baked macaroni and cheese, candied yams, collard greens, smothered chicken, fried chicken, fried fish, oxtails, ham hocks, okra, jambalaya, dirty rice, gumbo, cornbread, shrimp and grits etc... the possibilities are endless when it comes to down this ethnic cuisine.

Originating in the American South amongst enslaved Africans this cuisine combines West African, Central African, Western European, and Indigenous cuisine of the Americas. Having to survive off of inadequate provisions and trying to preserve their traditional recipes, enslaved peoples laid the groundwork for soul food. "Soul" is used to describe African-American culture and its' people as a whole, the term gained popularity in the 1960s. Initially soul food was looked down upon and wasn't respected in the North amongst other Black communities it garnered attention due to the Great Migration and has since become a staple in most households. From Sunday church gatherings to backyard barbecues (cookouts) to dinner tables to restaurant menus, this cuisine has become a symbol of cultural pride and perseverance.

Truly food from the soul.

Cornbread, greens, mac and cheese, yams and fried chicken.

Soul food is closely associated with the Southern cuisine of the United States. There are a few different versions of soul food, you can have it Creole, Cajun or Gullah style; just like most dishes it depends on the region.

Jambalaya and Louisiana seafood gumbo

Spaghetti and catfish

"Soul food historian Adrian Miller said the difference between soul food and Southern food is that soul food is intensely seasoned and uses a variety of meats to add flavor to food and adds a variety of spicy and savory sauces. These spicy and savory sauces add robust flavor. This method of preparation was influenced by West African cuisine where West Africans create sauces to add flavor and spice to their food. Black Americans also add sugar to make cornbread, while "white southerners say when you put sugar in corn bread, it becomes cake"[9]. European immigrants seasoned and flavored their food using salt, pepper, and spices. African Americans add more spices, and hot and sweet sauces to increase the spiciness, or heat of their food.[10] Bob Jeffries, the author of Soul Food Cookbook, said the difference between soul food and Southern food is: "While all soul food is Southern food, not all Southern food is soul. Soul food cooking is an example of how really good Southern [African-American] cooks cooked with what they had available to them."[11] - Sourced from Wikipedia

June is National Soul Food Month.

Red Drink aka Liquid Soul

Red drink is derived from West Africa's hibiscus tea called bissap. The plant's flower petals are brewed resulting in a cranberry-red to magenta-purple color, depending upon dried or fresh petals being used. Kola is another one that's brewed using kola nuts. Bissap and red kola nut brew are hospitality drinks that can still be found in West Africa to this day. Jamaicans also have a similar drink called sorrel.

Like with soul food African-Americans created an adaption from their homeland's drink. Red lemonade was popular in the 1870s-1880s, coloring the beverage with fruits like cherries and strawberries; then red soda in the 1890s and finally powdered drinks such as Poly Pop and Kool-Aid in the 1920s. Just like bissap or red kola nut brew, liquid soul is our hospitality drink. Whenever there's a gathering you can almost bet this beverage will be there. It doesn't matter the flavors or drink type just as long as it's red.

"What exactly do I mean by “red drink?” Well, in soul-food culture, red is not just a color, it’s also a flavor. We soul-food aficionados don’t get caught up in describing a drink as “cherry,” “strawberry,” or “tropical punch,” and we don’t say it has “hints of cranberry.” It’s just “red.” Red drinks have such a special cultural resonance that whenever African Americans gather together, there’s usually a red drink in the mix. In short, it’s liquid soul." -Soul Food Scholar, Adrian Miller

Writing this piece has been enlightening and entertaining; my goal is to showcase our ethnic cuisine and give some history behind it for a better understanding for Black History Month. There is so much more to soul food history that I would be here all day if I wrote it out. I also love to find similarities among the diaspora. Our jambalaya rice is similar to West Africa's jollof rice, our gumbo is similar to West Africa's okra soup. Red drink is also referred to as "red drank" in some areas, here in Detroit we prefer Faygo red sodas (pop), but in the South they prefer Big Red. "Red, in many West African cultures, is a symbol of strength, spirituality, and life and death, according to historians."

I would like everyone to list their favorite cultural meal in the comments below and their favorite drink along with it. Thanks for reading!

Source 1. Source 2. Source 3. Source 4. Source 5.

[play-now-my-lord]

A wrinkle to that "lmao the irish didn't invent anything for 300 years after the invention of whiskey" post is this: we don't think of distilled spirits this way now, but they were an early way capital controlled labor, with the equipment and expertise necessary to make potable spirits being mostly the province of at first monasteries, then prosperous landlords.

In an American context the introduction of spirits was absolutely devastating - they represented a cheap-to-produce (hence profitable to sell), shelf-stable alcohol delivery mechanism that cultural norms simply didn't exist to grapple with. Like most nations here had alcoholic beverages of whatever sort, but they were weak, short-lived ones similar to beer, and the resources necessary to produce them meant that they were consumed moderately or, if in excess, usually at special occasions. In the 18th century British empire, distilled spirits were considered a scourge both in an indigenous context and in the context of the British working poor. (See Beer Street and Gin Lane.)

And then you look into the history of whiskey distillation in Ireland... and the first people given legal license to produce and distribute whiskey on an industrial scale were English mercenaries-turned-landlords. Old Bushmills was established by an English soldier of fortune!

In short, even at the time, the idea that cheap spirits would be bad for the general life-quality of the working poor was mainstream in the imperial core, but that malevolence was seen as positive when imposed on imperial subjects - the Irish, native Americans, trade partners in Africa and Asia. This represents an early form of the narco-imperialism that matured by the time of the Opium Wars and is present in the war on drugs pushed globally by America today

[brujadepinarrio]

🌺 Medicinal & Spiritual Properties Of Hibiscus🌺

Hibiscus is a large genus of flowering shrubs and trees in the mallow family, Malvaceae. Native to tropical and subtropical regions,Hibiscus is native to many parts of the world including Africa, Asia, and the islands of the Pacific

Medicinal Properties: Hibiscus is high in antioxidants and offers many potential benefits. In particular, it may help promote weight loss, reduce the growth of bacteria and cancer cells, and support the health of the heart and liver, it also helps with lowering blood pressure

Spiritual Properties: hibiscus is also very great with Love Rituals and Love Magic in general, it’s great for increasing relationships love and as well grateful for lust, it’s also great for very strong protection, and it is associated with Venus, making it great for feminine energies

How to utilize it: you can make a beverage out of it

Ingredients:

1/4 cup dried hibiscus flowers

4 cups of filtered water

Sweetener of your choice such as sugar,honey, or agave syrup (optional)

Fresh mint leaves and raspberries for garnish(optional)

Instructions:

1) Combine Ingredients: Place the dried hibiscus flowers in a 1-quart jar or medium-sized pitcher.

2) Add Water: Pour the filtered water over the hibiscus flowers. Stir to ensure the flowers are fully submerged.

3) Steep: Cover the jar or pitcher and refrigerate. Allow the mixture to steep until it turns a bright red color, which typically takes at least 20 minutes. For a more robust flavor and deeper color, you can let it steep overnight.

4) Strain: Once the tea has reached your desired strength, strain it into another container to remove the hibiscus flowers.

5) Sweeten (Optional): If you prefer a sweeter tea, add your chosen sweetener to taste, stirring until fully dissolved.

6) Serve: Pour the tea into glasses filled with ice. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and raspberries if desired.

Variations:

Fizzy Hibiscus Tea: For a sparkling version, mix the concentrated hibiscus tea with sparkling water. Adding a squeeze of lime juice can provide a refreshing citrus note.

Spiced Hibiscus Tea: Before refrigerating the tea to steep, consider adding a cinnamon stick to the mixture. The warm spice complements the tartness of the hibiscus beautifully.

Hot Hibiscus Tea: If you prefer a warm beverage, place 1 tablespoon of dried hibiscus flowers in a tea infuser. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the infuser in a mug and let it steep for about 5 minutes. Remove the infuser and sweeten the tea with honey and a bit of lemon juice to taste.

Same as well with ritualism, dress a candle with it, put it in a spell jar for divination or love magic as hibiscus is great for divination as well, make a oil out of it and dress a candle with it to promote love and lust (ofc watch out for the fire hazard and practice fire safety!)

Until next time✨🌺🦩

[myrebelancestorsdiedforme]

Jamaican soursop is a somewhat confusing fruit for those unfamiliar with it. It’s a delicious treat, but many visitors to the island are often amazed at its unique appearance. The skin in ripe fruits is yellowish-green in color, the ovoid fruits can grow up to 12 inches in length, and are covered with blunt “spines.” The fruit can weigh up to 15 lbs. the flesh is cream-colored, and the leaves emit an unpleasant odor. Jamaicans call the fruit soursop and it’s also known as guanabana, cherimoya, custard apple, and Brazilian Paw.

Fans of the fruit have described the taste as a combination of apples and strawberries with notes of sour citrus. The texture is reminiscent of a banana. The fruit’s origins are a mystery, though it’s been cultivated in Africa, South America and the Caribbean for thousands of years. It’s been used as a medicinal throughout history, but can be toxic with long-term usage or when taken in large amounts.

Soursop is eaten raw, made into a refreshing beverage, and often used in desserts that include gelatin, custard, ice cream and jelly. It’s also popular as a refreshing beverage. It contains an extensive array of nutrients that include vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and C. Soursop also has calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, and zinc.

[greytrixafrica]

ERP For Food And Beverage Industry

Address food and beverage service gaps seamlessly with Sage X3 food and beverage ERP software and overcome industry challenges.

[fatehbaz]

[A variation of] agua fresca [...] has its origins in the culture of the Mexica (Aztec) [...]. Nearly synonymous with the global tropics and subtropics, hibiscus has become a symbolic representation of the Caribbean’s transnational past, present, and future. Both the flower and the people who have long cared for it found their way to the Caribbean as a result of transatlantic flows that accompanied European imperial expansion. [...]

It’s widely assumed that hibiscus first made its way to the Caribbean from Africa, a continent that has long been home to a wide variety of hibiscus flowers. Among them are Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) and Roselle/hibiscus/bissap (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) in the African Savanna Complex and Okra/gumbo (Hibiscus esculentus L.) in the West African Savanna-Forest Complex. [...] The narratives of hibiscus migration are often associated with the violent histories of the Atlantic slave trade. [...] As noted by Judith Carney and Richard N. Rosomoff in [...] In the Shadow of Slavery: Africa’s Botanical Legacy in the Atlantic World, enslaved peoples mobilized food as a way to survive and thrive despite the violence inflicted against them, particularly by cultivating kitchen gardens. [...] These plots had different names in different parts of the Caribbean, such as conucos in the Hispanic Caribbean, kunukus in the Dutch Caribbean, and “ground provisions” in the West Indies. [...] [T]hey made a home [...], with Hibiscus becoming a staple garden plant, mainly consumed as a herbal beverage, called by different names in various parts of Africa (bissap, wonjo, foléré, dabileni, tsobo, zobo, or sobolo). In the Americas, the drink is referred to as sorrel or agua de Jamaica. [...]

Hibiscus also has deep roots in Asia, which is the homeplace of various species of the genus. The introduction of Asian species to the Caribbean via indentured servants added another layer to the narratives of forced labor and migration in the region. 

Imperial powers supplemented enslaved labor in the plantation system with indentured labor -- a system  of bonded exploitation that followed the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade. Between 1837 and 1920, more than 2.2 million Chinese, Indians, Javanese, Malagasy, and free Africans were indentured on tropical plantations [...].

Hibiscus tiliaceus, for example, is one species that arrived with indentured Indians. As elaborated by Tobagonian scholar Brinsley Samaroo, this plant had various purposes; it was used for [...] worship, in toothbrushing, as fodder for animals, and for creating hedges and flower gardens.  [...]

These practices show interesting parallels in how the diasporic communities of African and Indian descent in the Caribbean have mobilized the plant [...].

---

Text by:  Andrés Triana Solórzano. “Plant of the Month: Hibiscus.” JSTOR Daily. 28 April 2023. [Some paragraph breaks/contractions added by me.]

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Inside Climate News:

Your morning caffeine fix could soon become a luxury in the face of climate change. Last week, coffee prices surged to a 47-year high as global growers struggle to recover from extreme weather. 

Over the past year, extended droughts have gripped Brazil and Vietnam—the world’s two largest producers of coffee. Scientists say the parched conditions were fueled by the El Niño weather pattern and global warming, which have triggered widespread coffee crop losses that could also affect next year’s supply. 

Research shows that these conditions are a harbinger of our coffee future. By 2050, rising temperatures are projected to shrink suitable coffee-growing regions by half, which could eliminate a crucial revenue source for farmers in developing countries.

For the average consumer, coffee prices are expected to surge even higher with climate change (a shuddering thought as I sip on an already overpriced cappuccino). Now, coffee companies are testing a variety of strategies to adapt to climate shocks, from diversifying their sources to shifting away from the crop altogether. 

In September, Brazil’s National Center for Monitoring and Early Warning of Natural Disasters said the country was undergoing the “most intense and widespread drought in history,” with nearly 60 percent of the region under stress. El Niño and climate change jacked up heat in South America, which exacerbated dryness in the region. But the drought can also be partially attributed to the rampant deforestation that has occurred in Brazil over the past few decades, which has altered rainfall patterns and the amount of moisture the land can absorb, The Washington Post reports. 

As I wrote in November, droughts go hand in hand with wildfires. Over the past year, Brazil has seen some of its worst wildfires in decades, largely caused by a farming technique known as “slash-and-burn,” which is when farmers cut and scorch trees to clear land for more crops. Ironically, the fires started by this practice, as well as dry soil from the droughts, have devastated sugarcane, fruit and especially coffee crop yields across the country. Coffee growers in Vietnam have also been hit hard by droughts, and some are recovering from Typhoon Yagi, which hit the country in September. 

Coffee arabica—the species most commonly used in consumer roasts—is particularly vulnerable to climate shocks. The plants thrive in the shady, moist environments found in tropical countries, typically growing best between 64 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. But a 2022 study found that climate change will fuel higher temperatures that push key coffee-growing regions such as parts of Eastern Brazil and Southeast Asia out of coffee’s climatic sweet spot. The researchers identified a few areas in East Africa, Asia and South America that could benefit from changing conditions, but stressed that many of them do not yet have the infrastructure or space to support widespread coffee growth without adding to deforestation. 

The price of arabica beans has spiked almost 70 percent on the New York Stock Exchange this year, with contracts for future yields costing $3.35 a pound at one point last week.

The industry is taking major hits, which will likely trickle down to consumers soon, experts say. In November, coffee maker Nestle SA announced that it will raise prices and produce smaller bags to weather the storm—or in this case, drought. Other business leaders are also reckoning with how to meet ever-growing demand for the beverage despite shrinking supplies. 

[oph3liatlou]

--- THE SHADOW WARRIOR series

CHAPTER THREE; Welcome to Wakanda

paring(s); recovering!buckybarnes x oc!victoriastark

warnings; none

word count; 1,180

proofread?; yes

summary; In the depths of Africa, the mysterious nation of Wakanda has reached out to the outside world for help. A mission has been set in place for Victoria Stark, to save Bucky Barnes - the former brainwashed assassin - from his past self. Can she rescue him from HYDRA's grips as the world watches and waits or, will he forever be lost to the shadows?

The Quinjet smoothly glides through the sky, taking you closer to your final destination.

"ETA to Wakanda is 3 hours and 57 minutes." Friday informs Victoria, "Would you like a beverage or snack?"

She slid her seat back, perching her feet on the dashboard - avoiding the buttons as she had already put the jet in autopilot. "Aw Friday, you spoil me."

The air in the Quinjet remains crisp and cool as you relax, your feet casually resting on the dashboard. Friday's voice, as ever, remains calm and measured. "I don't 'spoil' you Victoria," she responds, her tone tinged with a hint of gentle teasing. "I merely anticipate your needs as per my programming."

Victoria shakes her head with a laugh. "Always so humble too." She was always this sarcastic, even to AI.

"Ah, sarcasm..." Her voice carries a hint of dry wit. "A language more complex than any programming." There's a pause as if Friday's  pondering the nuances of human humor. "Tell me, should I add sarcasm to my repertoire? I could begin by making a dry comment about your shirt choice."

The hum of the Quinjet, your comfortable perch, and the banter with Friday make the journey seem less arduous.

Victoria scoffed. "What-" She was never surprised with banter, but when it was with an artificial intelligence it was a bit shocking. Realization hit her. "Did my dad update you this morning, just to sass me during the mission?"

There's a brief hesitation before Friday responds, a humorous inflection in her voice. "Ah, you have discovered my new subroutine. Indeed, Mr Stark added a bit of humor to my programming, with the specific purpose of 'sassing you' during the mission. He thought it might add 'a touch of entertainment' to potentially stressful situations."

She shook her head with a chuckle, leaning out towards the windshield to look at the clouds. "No stressful situations this mission, Friday." Victoria reassured. "I'll take a drink now, though."

The Quinjet continues its smooth journey, and the clouds outside the windshield float lazily by. Friday's voice fills the cabin as he responds to your request. "Certainly, Victoria," she says, a touch of humor still in her tone. "What beverage would you like? Coffee, tea, or perhaps something more... daring, like a 'Stark-tini'?"

"A what?" She questioned, playing with the air vents. "You totally just made that up."

"Ah, a 'Stark-tini.' It was Mr Stark's idea, of course." Friday responds with a touch of amusement. "It's a mix of vodka, rosemary-infused syrup, and a hint of lemon. Quite the concoction. However, I assure you, it is a real drink."

The hum of the vents matches the hum of the Quinjet, creating a constant white noise that fills the cabin. Victoria shook her head. "Sounds gross, buddy." With her tone, she sounded just like her father. "I'll take a coffee."

"A prudent choice, especially for someone operating under sleep deprivation." She states bluntly. "A cup of black coffee, coming right up."

The Quinjet's automatic dispenser whirs dutifully, filling a cup with steaming, black coffee. The smell of freshly brewed coffee fills the cabin. "I'm not sleep deprived!" She grunted. A robot hand comes to Victoria's side to hand her the coffee, before it's entire arm falls off. She stares at the ground with a sigh. "What are you doing?" She glanced back at the robot helper, definitely not as smart as Friday.

"Ah, pardon me," Friday interjects, noticing the robot's mishap. "It seems J.A.N.E. is struggling with stability."

Jane, a robotic companion known for her endearing clumsiness, struggles to pick up the fallen robotic arm. Her mechanical limbs move in an uncoordinated manner, attempting and failing to reattach the arm. The situation is both amusing and slightly chaotic.

Victoria sighs and gets up. She grabs the metal arm and holds it in place on the robot. Her hand glows a fiery orange colour - welding the arm back on with her fingers.

Victoria's fiery touch seamlessly reattaches the robotic arm back onto Jane's body. The heat of the welding creates a momentary hiss of steam before cooling, leaving behind a perfect joint. As the procedure completes, Jane's head swivels towards Victoria, tilting with a mix of gratitude and confusion.

Meanwhile, Friday, with her ever-present calm demeanor, adds, "Well, it appears Jane's balance has certainly improved. Perhaps fire welding is the secret to her stability, huh?" Though, Victoria shook her head. "The ball joint was loose." She explained, sitting back down in her chair. "How much longer now?"

"Jane's maintenance will be noted for future adjustments," Friday responds, her voice as steady as ever. "Currently, we have approximately 45 minutes until we reach Wakanda."

Victoria nods. "Cool, wake me up then." And with that, she put her legs back on the dashboard and closed her eyes.

As the 45 minutes elapse, Friday's voice gently breaks into the tranquility of the cabin.

"Ms Stark," she says softly, "we have reached our destination. We're in the airspace over Wakanda."

Victoria stirs and sits back up with a yawn. I could see the ground out the window now. "Are we in the clear to land?"

Friday responds firmly, "Yes, we're clear to land." 

The Quinjet gracefully descends, its engines whining softly as it prepares to touch down in the heart of Wakanda. Outside the window, the landscape unfolds, revealing lush greenery, towering mountains, and a high-tech city that blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings. The Quinjet comes to a soft landing on a designated platform, signifying the beginning of your mission.

The doors of the Quinjet opened, and Victoria stepped out - though she froze when the Dora Milaje pointed spears at her. "Uhm, you guys didn't get the memo?" She sassed.

The Dora Milaje, ever-vigilant and disciplined, held their spears tautly as they regarded Victoria's arrival. Their faces remained stoic, betraying no emotion. "Identify yourself," one of the Dora Milaje demanded, her tone unwavering. "And state your purpose here in Wakanda."

Victoria opened her arms as if it was supposed to be obvious. as to who she was. "Victoria Stark," She started. "I'm here on a sensitive mission, with Princess Shuri."

The words 'Stark' and 'Princess Shuri' seemed to have a profound effect on the Dora Milaje. Their expressions relaxed slightly, their spears lowering slightly. The mention of these names carried a different weight in Wakanda. "Follow us," the lead Dora Milaje commanded, her voice slightly softer than before. "We will escort you to Princess Shuri immediately."

Victoria followed hesitantly and shook her head, mumbling to Friday. "Nearly got killed before I got on the grass."

Victoria moves forward, following the Dora Milaje as they guide her through the beautiful landscape of Wakanda. Soon, she finds herself standing before a towering, high-tech building where Princess Shuri awaits her arrival.