For a coffee lover, the description on the front of the bag is a promise. Words like “bright,” “smooth,” or “bold” set an expectation for the taste experience to come. However, in the face of rising coffee bean prices and supply chain volatility, many major brands have quietly altered their classic blends, hoping customers will not notice. This “skimpflation” often involves swapping out high-quality Arabica beans for cheaper Robusta beans or changing the sourcing region. This leaves longtime fans with a cup of coffee that no longer matches the description they have trusted for years.
