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Weekly Coffee News: The Value of Water, Prohibited Pesticides, and More

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Third Wave Water

Third Wave Water White Paper Underscores Value of Water

A new white paper published by water mineral solutions provider Third Wave Water highlights the effects of using calibrated water profiles during the cupping process. The paper suggests specific targets within the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) water profile range can lead to more consistency throughout the coffee value chain, while also suggesting that improved water profiles among producers and exporters can result in higher coffee scores and increased income as a result.

SCA Seeks Input on Coffee’s ‘Extrinsic’ Values

The Specialty Coffee Association is seeking input from members on “extrinsic values” of coffee as it continues to reshape its Coffee Value Assessment, a sweeping new system designed to replace the group’s longstanding cupping forms and protocols for coffee professionals. Information on the 5-minute “Extrinsic Values Survey” — which addresses non-intrinsic coffee attributes such as place of origin, branding and sustainability — is available here.

ICO Releases Monthly Report for August

The International Coffee Organization (ICO) released its monthly report for August, with the ICO Composite Indicator Price (I-CIP) averaging US$1.5453 per pound. The report notes that world coffee production decreased by 1.4% in 2021-22, while consumption increased by 4.2%. Another shortfall — estimated at 7.3 million 60-kilo bags — is expected for 2022-23.

Global Coffee Platform Updates Prohibited Pesticides List

The international coffee industry membership organization Global Coffee Platform has updated its list of prohibited and phased out pesticides in the coffee sector. The original list was published in 2021 with the launch of GCP sustainability reference code. Another new report from the group found that 70% of green coffee purchased by eight of the world’s largest coffee companies met some recognized sustainability standard.

SCA and Diedrich Name Roasters Guild Retreat Scholarship Recipients

The Specialty Coffee Association and Idaho-based sponsor Diedrich Roasters have named the five recipients of scholarships to the upcoming Coffee Roasters Guild Retreat, taking place Sept. 28-Oct.1 at the Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine, Washington. 

Death Wish Sues Australia’s Death Before Decaf

New York-based coffee roaster Death Wish Coffee has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Australia-based coffee company Death Before Decaf. The lawsuit comes approximately three months after Death Wish filed a similar suit against another morbidity-focused brand, Death Hell Coffee.

Dunkin’ Faces First Union Push in 12+ Years

Workers at a Dunkin’ location in Cincinnati, Ohio, filed for a union election late last month. It is the first filed union election request affecting Dunkin’ in more than a decade, according to Restaurant Dive’s analysis of National Labor Relations Board records.

Pershing Takes Over Greater Goods in East Austin

Austin, Texas-based social club and hospitality outfit Pershing has taken ownership of the former Greater Goods Coffee location at 2501 E. 5th, according to a report from Culture Map. The ownership change was signaled when Greater Goods announced it was planning on expanding its Dripping Springs headquarters for training and tastings. Greater Goods Coffee won the 2021 Roast magazine Roaster of the Year award in the “micro” category.

Atomic Coffee Roasters Opens to the Public

Peabody, Massachusetts-based Atomic Coffee Roasters has opened the doors of its new North Shore roastery through public tours and coffee education classes. The new programming is designed to engage people of all coffee experience levels, from curious newcomers to fellow coffee pros.

Lavazza Returns as Tennis US Open Sponsor

Italian coffee giant Lavazza has returned as the official coffee sponsor of the US Open tennis tournament, which is currently taking place in New York. The company has been sponsoring the US Open since 2015.

In Case You Missed It

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

2022 Sustainable Coffee Purchases

Screenshot from the GCP Snapshot Report 2022. Find the full report here.

GCP Snapshot: 70% of Coffee From Eight Global Buyers Meets Sustainability Baseline

More than 70% of the green coffee purchased by eight of the world’s largest green coffee buyers in 2022 met a recognized baseline sustainability standard, according to the latest annual report from the Global Coffee Platform (GCP)

Primo Roasting Equipment Rolls Out New 3- and 5-Kilo Roasters

California-based Primo Roasting Equipment has reinvented the two smallest models in its commercial coffee roaster line, the 3-kilo-capacity Genesis-Xr3 and the 5-kilo Ranger-Xr5…

Can Coffee or a Nap Make Up for Sleep Deprivation?

As a psychologist who studies the ways in which sleep benefits memory, I’m also interested in how sleep deprivation harms memory and cognition…

German Coffee Association Launches Grievance Tool for Coffee Supply Chains

The German Coffee Association (Deutcher Kaffeeverband) is behind a new platform designed to collect and investigate anonymously submitted grievances related to coffee supply chains, such as labor issues or environmental abuses…

SCA Names Board and Presidential Candidates for 2023 Election

The Specialty Coffee Association has named a slate of candidates for its 2023 SCA Board of Directors elections. The announcement coincides with the opening of the nominations by petition period, which is open until Saturday, Sept. 30…

Fairtrade and B Lab Launch ‘Due Diligence’ Guide for Small and Micro Businesses

In an ocean of soul-killing, empty-sounding corporate sustainability jargon, “supply chain due diligence” is among the deepest dwellers…

San Diego’s Saigon Coffee Opens with a Fleet of California-King-Size Phins

The journey of coffees from farms in southern Vietnam to farmers markets in San Diego has taken a new turn into the first brick and mortar coffee shop by 11-year-old Saigon Coffee

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