The Driving Question
How can I develop my understandings on the global coffee industry and its local variations through primary & secondary research?
The Project: Coffee as a Learning Journey
In response to his driving question, Halca developed a multi-year body of work using coffee as a framework to explore global systems, culture, and identity.
The Research Foundation: Beginning with a mastery project, Halca investigated five key areas: the history of coffee, production systems, seed-to-cup processes, producing countries, and the global coffee industry. Through over 20 secondary sources and primary café observations across multiple countries, he built a comprehensive understanding of coffee as both a cultural ritual and an economic force.
Systems & Equity: Expanding on this foundation, he conducted a comparative research study on coffee trade systems in Ethiopia. By analyzing traditional commodity markets alongside certifications like Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance, Halca evaluated their impact on smallholder farmers. His findings revealed that even systems designed to promote equity can carry bias, often highlighting success while overlooking limitations. This reflects core principles of industry analysis, where understanding both opportunities and constraints is essential.
Production & Sustainability: Shifting focus to Brazil, Halca explored sustainable farming practices such as agroforestry and examined how land ownership and environmental systems shape coffee production. This work emphasized that innovation in coffee begins at the level of farmers and ecosystems, not just in cafés.
Final Product: From Knowledge to Action
The culmination of Halca’s learning extended beyond research into community impact.
The Service Initiative: In Indonesia, he designed and led a coffee workshop for young adults from an orphanage, addressing gaps between education and employment. The workshop covered brewing techniques, flavor profiling, and coffee tasting, creating access to skills and new opportunities.
The Reflection: Through this experience, Halca recognized that knowledge gains value when it is shared. Coffee became not only a subject of study, but a tool for connection, access, and empowerment.