After 121 years of failure, coffee is finally being harvested in Sicily, but this is terrible news.

Recent climate changes have prompted a Palermo family to experiment with growing Arabica coffee outdoors in Sicily, yielding about 100 kg of cherries annually. This initiative highlights the potential for Mediterranean regions to adapt to previously tropical crops as the climate warms. However, successful coffee cultivation requires more than just milder winters; adequate water, soil conditions, and suitable weather are also essential. The Morettino family has explored various processing techniques, resulting in a unique coffee product. Despite the novelty, local coffee production remains a niche market in Italy, primarily relying on imports. The environmental impact of coffee processing raises concerns about water usage, complicating the narrative around climate change benefits.