World Coffee Research

World Coffee Research
AbbreviationWCR
Formation2012
TypeNon-profit organization
PurposeAgricultural research and development
HeadquartersUnited States
Region served
Global
FieldsCoffee genetics, agronomy, climate resilience
Key people
Jennifer "Vern" Long (CEO)[1]
Websiteworldcoffeeresearch.org

World Coffee Research (WCR) is a non-profit research and development agricultural organization.[2] The organization was founded with participation or funds from thirty coffee industry groups including the Specialty Coffee Association of America, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Peet's Coffee & Tea, Counter Culture Coffee, the coffee importers InterAmerican Coffee, and specialty coffee providers Coffee Bean International.[3][4]

Overview

WCR was founded in 2012[5] by plant geneticist Dr. Timothy Schilling. WCR uses research in coffee genetics and agronomy to create new varieties, and advises farmers, among others with respect to the threat of climate change.[6] The current CEO is Vern Long, a plant breeder who formerly served as director of the Office of Agricultural Research & Policy at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).[7]

WCR launched a focused F1 hybrid coffee breeding program in 2015 to develop high-yielding, climate-resilient varieties that also meet specialty coffee quality standards.[8] The program combines multi-year field trials across several countries with large-scale sensory evaluation by international roasters, aiming to shorten the time required to bring improved coffee varieties to market compared with traditional breeding approaches.[8]

In 2022, the Innovea Global Coffee Breeding Network developed by WCR was named one of Time magazine’s Best Inventions for its role in accelerating the development of climate-resilient coffee varieties.[9] Through the initiative, WCR established a global repository of genetic data that enables government-affiliated research institutions to develop more resilient coffee varieties. Once new varieties are identified, participating producing countries can share their findings with other members of the network.[10]

In August 2023, World Coffee Research released an open-access genetic fingerprint database for arabica coffee, designed to enable low-cost and reliable variety authentication using SNP molecular markers.[11] The database, validated with tens of thousands of samples from multiple Latin American countries, is intended to improve quality control in coffee seed systems and reduce economic risks for farmers.[11]

Collaboration

WCR collaborates with local research institutions, coffee organizations, governments, and NGOs to carry out a common research agenda.[12] They also partner with the private sector to aid the uptake of agricultural innovations through the coffee supply chain.[13] Between 2012 and 2018, WCR says it collaborated with 81 partners, including 33 government institutes and research organizations.[12]

References

  1. ^ "2026 predictions from World Coffee Research CEO Dr. Jennifer 'Vern' Long". Global Coffee Report. 2026-01-23. Retrieved 2026-01-29.
  2. ^ "About World Coffee Research". World Coffee Research.
  3. ^ Rosner, Hillary (October 2014). "Saving Coffee". Scientific American. 311 (4): 68–73. Bibcode:2014SciAm.311d..68R. doi:10.1038/scientificamerican1014-68. PMID 25314878.
  4. ^ Mayer, Amy (October 2013). "Climate Change Already Challenging Agriculture". BioScience. 63 (10): 781–787. doi:10.1525/bio.2013.63.10.2. S2CID 87679090.
  5. ^ Liz Clayton (2024-07-30). "Four Organizations Doing Climate Good Through Coffee". Sprudge. Retrieved 2026-01-29.
  6. ^ "The Fight to Save Coffee From Climate Change". Resilience. 27 March 2019.
  7. ^ "Do You Know? Jennifer "Vern" Long". 18 August 2020.
  8. ^ a b Ethan Miller (2022-01-20). "World Coffee Research's F1 time trial". Global Coffee Report. Retrieved 2026-01-29.
  9. ^ Catherine Boudreau (2025-10-09). "Innovaea Global Coffee Breeding Network". Time. Retrieved 2026-01-29.
  10. ^ Zac Cadwalader (2025-10-17). "World Coffee Research's Innovea Honored As One Of Time Magazine's Best New Inventions". Sprudge. Retrieved 2026-01-29.
  11. ^ a b Alexis Rubinstein (2023-08-23). "World Coffee Research Releases Open-Access Coffea Arabica Genetic Fingerprinting Database". StoneX. Retrieved 2026-01-29.
  12. ^ a b "World Coffee Research - About Us". World Coffee Research. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  13. ^ "Why Cappuccino Tastes Different at Every Café". Retrieved 2024-09-21.


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