Welcome to DCN’s Weekly Coffee News! Subscribe here for all the latest coffee industry news. Also, check out the latest career opportunities at CoffeeIndustryJobs.com.
Cooperative Coffees Argues for Climate Justice
Cooperative Coffees Impact Manager Melissa Wilson Becerril penned a reflective piece this week on the organization’s climate-related efforts. “Independent smallholder coffee producers are part of the solution to climate change, not the cause,” Becerril wrote. “We believe the industry’s status quo, based on a linear, extractive model, needs to shift to a regenerative, participatory framework.”
Jonathan Morris Offers Perspective on Prices
While the mainstream media in the United States continues to warn of higher consumer coffee prices, coffee historian Jonathan Morris this week offered a more balanced view for consumers, outlining the basics of green coffee price discovery while suggesting that this might be a good time for deeper reflection on the underlying challenges facing the coffee industry.
Volcafe Names Raphaelle Peinado Sustainability Director
Green coffee trader Volcafe announced the appointment of Raphaelle Peinado as Sustainability Director, starting Sept. 1. Peinado will work in concert with Volcafe’s parent company, ED&F Man Commodities, in implementing the group’s sustainability strategy.
Starbucks Sold $1.77 Billion in Unclaimed Gift Cards
Among the interesting findings from Starbucks’ Q3 earnings report this week was that the company has sold $1.77 billion in unclaimed gift cards, a 9% increase from this time last year.
Qima Coffee and ACE Announce Sixth ‘Best of Yemen’ Auction
Qima Coffee and the Alliance for Coffee Excellence (ACE) announced details of the sixth Best of Yemen green coffee auction, taking place Oct. 8. This year’s auction will spotlight Yemen’s unique climate and its significant impact on the region’s coffee.
New York Times Food Desk Tries Celebrity Coffees
A group of folks from the New York Times food desk recently tackled celebrity coffee, tasting roasts from seven prominent celebrity-led coffee brands. The testing team offered generally meaningless tasting notes such as “not bad” and “pretty bland.” The highest-scoring coffee by a wide margin came from Jimmy Butler’s Bigface.
Snoop Dogg Behind New Amsterdam Coffee Shop ‘Smoke Weed Every Day’
Speaking of celebrities marginally involved in coffee, Snoop Dogg this week announced the opening of his new business, S.W.E.D., an acronym for “smoke weed every day,” a new coffee shop in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Snoop previously co-launched the INDOxyz coffee brand but departed from that business soon after.
Gemilai Launches New Home Espresso Machines
Chinese coffee equipment brand Gemilai launched three new home espresso machine models this week, the G3005E, G3005H, and G3007L. Each of the machines is equipped with a 15-bar pump.
Diamond Brew Launches Instant ‘Brewless’ Coffee Line
A new Chicago-based company called Diamond Brew launched this week, promising to “redefine the way coffee enthusiasts enjoy their daily cup.” The company is offering freeze-dried soluble products, describing it as “brewless coffee.”
James Coffee Co. Launches Glass Jar Exchange Program
San Diego-based James Coffee Co. has introduced a glass jar exchange program aimed at reducing single-use plastic waste. For a one-time deposit, patrons receive their beverage in a glass jar, which can be returned for a new drink without an additional deposit.
New from CoffeeIndustryJobs.com
- Production Manager — Nossa Familia Coffee
- Industrial Millwright – Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Inc.
- Green Coffee Warehouse Associate – Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Inc.
- Machine Operator – Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
- Mechanical & Engineering Manager – Melitta North America, Inc.
ICYMI
Here are some of DCN’s top stories from the past week…
Researchers Explore High-Elevation Robusta as Arabica Replacement
Researchers are exploring the potential of high-elevation robusta coffee as a sustainable replacement for arabica coffee… read more
Listen Up: Girlsplaining is Growing, Coming to Bolivia, Peru, and US
Girlsplaining, a platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of women in coffee, is expanding its reach to Bolivia, Peru and the United States… read more
Retaining Flavor While Removing Caffeine: A Chemist Explains the Chemistry Behind Decaf Coffee
Decaffeinated coffee has long been a staple for those looking to enjoy the taste of coffee without the jolt of caffeine. However, the process of removing caffeine can also strip away some of the flavors that make coffee enjoyable… read more
Hauck Tamper Shakes Things Up with the Vibra-Tamper
The makers of the tool seek to revolutionize the way baristas tamp espresso, offering a unique vibrating mechanism that promises even distribution and optimal pressure… read more
NECCST from Germany: A Grind-by-Weight Manual Coffee Grinder
A group of German industrial designers launched a new coffee equipment brand called NECCST while readying the flagship product, a manual grinder with grind-by-weight capability… read more
The Bower Coffee Co. Leans Into Quality in Ottawa, Ontario
A new independent coffee shop called The Bower Coffee Co. is respectfully welcoming guests in Ottawa, Ontario’s Westboro Village neighborhood, while refusing to bend on quality…. read more
Upper Michigan Trailblazer Velodrome Coffee Acquired by MQT Hospitality
Upper Michigan-based Velodrome Coffee Company has been acquired by MQT Hospitality, the owner of Marquette-based 231 West Patisserie and the Cruisin’ Coffee… read more
Comment