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Weekly Coffee News: New Espresso Gear, Hawaii Competition Results, and More

Welcome to DCN’s Weekly Coffee News. Keep up with all the latest coffee industry stories and career opportunities by subscribing to DCN’s newsletter. Tell our editors about your news here.

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The Victoria Arduino E1 Prima EXP in pearl blue finish. Courtesy photo.

Victoria Arduino Unveils the E1 Prima EXP

Italian espresso machine maker Victoria Arduino is adding a new model to its E1 Prima series with the E1 Prima EXP. The single-group model features the Pure Brew extraction method involving a new patented dual-wall conical filter system first introduced in 2021 on the Black Eagle Maverick. The machine also features the Prima’s NEO (New Engine Optimization) technology. 

Weber Workshops Launches Bottomless Portafilter and Three New Unibasket Sizes

Coffee accessories maker Weber Workshops has rolled out three new sizes of its Unibasket espresso portafilter baskets along with a Unifilter-like bottomless portafilter called the Buck. Now available in 16-, 20-, 24- and 28-gram capacities, Unibaskets cost $50 apiece when purchased as an add-on with the Buck, or $85 a la carte, a dramatic reduction from the original basket price of $170.

SCA Seeks Input for Sustainability Agenda

The Specialty Coffee Association is conducting a survey in order to help shape its “Sustainable Coffee Agenda” and to gather industry perceptions on value measurement and distribution. The survey, open until June 29, is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Take the survey here.

Bizzy Cold Brew Unveils New Branding

Minneapolis-based coffee company Bizzy Cold Brew has rebranded with a new logo and bottle. The company worked with Los Angeles-based creative agency Day Job on the rebrand. Bizzy closed a $7.1 million funding round last year.

Starbucks to Open Sustainability Lab in Costa Rica

Starbucks is developing a sustainability learning and innovation lab in Costa Rica for employees, students and researchers. Expected to open in about three years, the lab at the company’s Hacienda Alsacia coffee farm will incorporate programming with Arizona State University.

PRF to Host New ‘No Filter’ Panel Series

The Producer & Roaster Forum (PRF) has announced a new panel series called No Filter, designed to promote conversations about important issues facing the coffee industry. The next PRF takes place Sept. 14-15 in Colombia. The “No Filter” program is not affiliated with the North Carolina-based No Filter Coffee Fest.

CoffeeDesk Becomes Official Distributor for AeroPress in UAE

The GCC branch of European equipment reseller CoffeeDesk is now the official distributor in the United Arab Emirates for AeroPress coffee makers. AeroPress last month launched the AeroPress Clear, a transparent version of its flagship manual brewing device.

HCA Conference Cupping Competition Results Released

The Hawaii Coffee Association has announced results from the cupping competition at the annual HCA conference last weekend on the island of Kauai. Kopiko Farm, Miranda Farms and Greenwell Farms took the top three spots in the 14th annual statewide cupping competition that consisted of 68 entries. The competition took place at the HCA’s 28th annual conference and trade show.

Dutch Bros Names former Carl’s Jr. Exec Tana Davila CMO

Oregon-based coffee chain Dutch Bros has named Tana Davila as its new Chief Marketing Officer. Davila was previously the CMO for CKE Restaurants, the parent company of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s. Dutch Bros currently has more than 700 U.S. locations, and expects to open 150 new stores this year.

Cédric Malaga Takes the Reins at Kicking Horse Coffee 

Cédric Malaga has been named CEO of Canadian roasting company Kicking Horse Coffee. Italy’s Lavazza Group acquired a majority stake in Kicking Horse Coffee in 2017. Malaga previously served as Lavazza’s global revenue growth director.

Antonio Bachour Becomes Global Brand Ambassador for Julius Meinl

Award-winning pastry chef Antonio Bachour is now a global brand ambassador for Vienna-based coffee company Julius Meinl. Bachour will be serving the brand’s Gloriette Gold blend at his Miami pastry shop this fall. Julius Meinl previously expanded its U.S. operations with the 2022 acquisition of three wholesale coffee supply businesses in Florida. 

In Case You Missed It

Here are some of DCN’s top stories from the past week…

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A Joe Coffee drink made with a Coldstretto based on Joe’s core Waverly espresso blend. Courtesy photo.

With Coldstretto, BKON Shines a New Light on Espresso 

New Jersey-based cold coffee manufacturing company BKON has officially launched Coldstretto, a shelf-stable cold coffee product… Read more

‘Naturally Decaffeianted’ Coffee Plant Study Enters Decisive Stage in Brazil 

Researchers in Brazil are entering a decisive stage in a decades-long study designed to produce coffee plants with seeds that have little to no caffeineRead more

Hark! Fellow Launches the Tally Pro Precision Scale

Coffee equipment maker Fellow has rounded out its catalog of manual coffee brewing products with the Fellow Tally Pro Precision Scale, Studio Edition… Read more

Trio of Related Coffee Businesses Spreading China-Grown Beans in the US

Three related coffee businesses with ties to coffees from Yunnan, China, have sprouted up in California and Utah… Read more

Indonesia Coffee Report: Robusta Declines, Agroforestry Arabica Picks Up

Coffee exports from Indonesia in the market year 2023/24 are expected to decline by nearly one third, largely due to weather-related supply shortages… Read more

Other People’s Coffee Makes Travelers Feel at Home

California-based boutique hotel company Casetta Group recently rolled out the red carpet for its own specialty coffee brand… Read more

Coffee Association of Canada Launches Annual Awards

The Coffee Association of Canada (CAC) is launching an awards program, honoring individual coffee professionals for lifetime achievements or volunteer efforts… Read more

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