The Bitter Taste of Mainstream Media: When Coffee Culture Meets Cliché The recent news that a major coffee chain is introducing "artisanal" coffee beans has left many in the industry perplexed.
On its face, this might seem like a harmless addition to the market. However, it's just another example of how corporate interests are hijacking what was once a vibrant and independent culture.
In recent years, big chain coffee shops have homogenized the experience of buying and drinking coffee, sacrificing quality for consistency in their pursuit of profit.