Dive into the enthralling world of coffee with the 2007 Canadian documentary, Black Coffee, a film that meticulously unfolds the complex tapestry of coffee’s global influence.

Spanning almost three hours and divided into three captivating parts—’The Irresistible Bean,’ ‘Gold in Your Cup,’ and ‘The Perfect Cup’—this documentary is an essential brew for the coffee aficionado’s mind and soul.

The Irresistible Bean – Part 1

The Irresistible Bean leads us on a voyage from the birthplace of coffee in Ethiopia across five continents, tracing its role in revolution, culture, commerce, and even slavery.

Discover how the humble coffeehouse, from its earthy origins to the refined Arabic homes, became the crucible of ideas fueling monumental events like the French Revolution and the birth of democracy in the New World. This segment revives the legacy of the Venetian latte, whose echoes are still savored in today’s coffee culture, some 450 years on.

Gold in Your Cup – Part 2

In Gold in Your Cup, we delve into the 19th-century saga of coffee’s dominion over Brazil and Central America, where the pursuit of this black gold wrought oppression, ecological devastation, but also spurred the quest for democracy and dictatorships alike.

This part of the documentary not only revisits the historical strife but also celebrates the renaissance of coffee quality through high-stakes competitions in Brazil, juxtaposed with the rise of a new coffeehouse culture in North America, championed by icons like Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. These spaces became the cradle for a new awareness, marrying the pleasure of quality coffee with a fervent call for social justice.

The Perfect Cup – Part 3

The Perfect Cup ushers us into the “romantic age of coffee,” where the quest for quality coffee rekindles in North America, inspired by long-standing European traditions. This era witnesses the rise of coffee giants and the birth of the Fair Trade movement, marking a pivotal shift towards ethical consumerism.

As co-operative farming takes root in Central America, the documentary highlights a growing consciousness among consumers—a desire to couple their daily coffee ritual with sustainable and fair practices, proving that ethics can indeed blend seamlessly with good business