Do you drink coffee when you fly? The quality of the coffee served by airlines can vary substantially, but the trend, at least among the major air carriers, is towards more gourmet coffees. This guide to the coffee served by the major U.S. passenger airlines will show you what coffee to expect when you fly.
The Coffee Business
The coffee business employs millions of people around the world, including coffee famers, exporters, roasters, retailers, and many others. It's a fascinating industry, and there's always more to learn.
Inspection of Coffee Imports to the United States
The inspection of coffee imports to the United States is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service inspects shipments of coffee. The goal: to prevent the entry of the Mediterranean fruit fly, coffee berry borers, and Hemileia vastatrix, a fungus that causes coffee rust disease. Roasted coffee beans and berries are subject to inspection and release. Unroasted beans and berries will be admitted to most of the U.S. if they are pulp-free, but imports to Hawaii and Puerto Rico are treated more stringently.