While evidence suggests that certain coffee qualities may influence its health properties, the extent to which these factors translate into tangible improvements in quality of life is debatable.

In the comfort-seeking so-called “first world”, we hold an obligation to acknowledge the disparities that gird our ability to seek those comforts. This is certainly the case for Bob Arnot’s The Coffee-lover’s Diet: Change your Coffee, Change your Life. Arnot’s central thesis suggests a direct correlation between the quality of one’s coffee and the quality of one’s life—a proposition that merits closer scrutiny. At its core, the premise hinges on an idea that the specific characteristics of coffee, such as its origin, roast, and preparation method, can have a significant impact on its health effects and, by extension, on the well-being of the consumer. The evidence to suggesting certain aspects of coffee quality, such as the presence of antioxidants and the absence of contaminants, may influence its health properties, it is a stretch to say these factors translate into tangible improvements in quality of life – though we at Bean Indigo hold out hope that it is true. The complex interplay between genetics, lifestyle factors, and individual health profiles complicates any attempt to make sweeping generalizations about the impact coffee has on overall well-being. I will note that Arnot’s by-line contains an M.D. after the name and mine does not. So, who am I to judge? Still, the notion that the pursuit of a “perfect” cup of coffee can lead to profound improvements in one’s life overlooks the inherent subjectivity of taste and preference. What constitutes a superior coffee experience for one person may be vastly different for another, rendering the concept of a universally applicable standard of quality inherently flawed. The heavy hand of relativism must come into play. In other words, making choices are ultimately your choices, resulting (or not) in changes that are wholely yours.

By valorizing certain coffee choices over others, Arnot perpetuates a narrative of elitism and exclusivity that runs counter to the inclusive spirit of coffee culture.

The emphasis on individual choice and agency in shaping one’s coffee consumption habits overlooks the broader structural factors that influence access to high-quality coffee. Socioeconomic disparities, geographic location, and cultural norms all play a role in determining the availability and affordability of premium coffee options, meaning that not all individuals have equal opportunities to make optimal coffee choices. This reality underscores the importance of addressing systemic inequalities in order to truly improve the quality of life for all coffee lovers, rather than placing the burden of responsibility solely on the consumer. Meanwhile, relativism kicks in again: Your choices will ultimately be made within the limits of availability. The very fact that those of us in the non-equatorial world drink coffee at all even goes beyond elitism, straying into a discussion of supply chain, though supply chains are a product of affluence. Additionally, the relentless pursuit of coffee perfection can inadvertently lead to obsession and unhealthy behaviors, undermining the very notion of holistic well-being, the unintended revenge of the colonized. From the rise of “coffee snobbery” to the proliferation of fad diets centered around coffee consumption, the commodification of coffee as a lifestyle product has spawned a culture of excess and excessiveness that is antithetical to the principles of balance and moderation. In light of these considerations, it becomes clear that the premise that the quality of one’s life can be modulated by coffee choices is, if not fundamentally flawed, at least in want of a suspension of the wider reality. While coffee undeniably holds a special place in many people’s lives, its impact on overall well-being is contingent upon a multitude of factors that extend far beyond the realm of beverage selection. Rather than seeking salvation in the perfect cup of coffee, perhaps we would be better served by embracing a more holistic approach to health and happiness—one that acknowledges the complexity of human experience and the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit – and cultures. Arnot’s book is a good read, and a more valuable one when read in this context. Does this resonate or wrankle? Either way, please share, follow, comment and/or subscribe to The Coffee Authority Weekly. When you do, the discussion just gets richer.