I'll bet all this time you thought your Starbucks coffee came from the baristas behind the counter (or just by magic, if you mobile order). It's actually a deeper journey and now, with a new partnership with Microsoft using their Azure Blockchain Service, Starbucks will be able to track every last coffee bean shipment in real time. So no matter where your coffee came (or is coming) from, (Indonesia, Costa Rica, Africa, etc) you will be able to access that information on the Starbucks mobile app. Or, you can just "mobile app" your order, zip in, zip out and wake up before you hit the office. Blockchain can do wonders but tracking my morning coffee may be a touch overkill, in my estimation. But, learn more below.
Bill Taylor/Fintek Capital
"Starbucks is moving to give consumers more information on its coffee products using a blockchain system that will track beans from “farm to cup.”
For the effort, the coffee chain is working with Microsoft to harness its Azure Blockchain Service in tracking coffee shipments from across the world, bringing “digital, real-time traceability” to its supply chains, according to an announcement from Microsoft.
With the partnership, Microsoft’s blockchain service will record all changes along the journey of the coffee on a shared ledger, providing participants with a “more complete view” of the supply chain.
Starbucks will use all that information to bring a new feature to its mobile app, giving consumers details on where the coffee was sourced and roasted, as well as on tasting notes.
As part of its commitment to ethical sourcing, it’s also hoping that the blockchain system can help benefit growers too, by providing them with data such as where their beans end up in consumers’ cups. According to the release, Starbucks sourced beans from over 380,000 coffee farms in 2018.
“I firmly believe that by empowering farmers with knowledge and data through technology, we can support them in ultimately improving their livelihoods,” said Michelle Burns, SVP of Global Coffee & Tea at Starbucks..."