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São Paolo Government Considering Selling Key Research Farmland in Brazil
The government of São Paolo in Brazil is considering selling off a large section of farmland that contains some of the world’s oldest populations of arabica coffee plants, according to multiple credible media reports. Agricultural research leaders in Brazil are warning against the move, which would involve selling part of the Agronomic Institute of Campinas (IAC) farmland. The IAC, which is one of the oldest agricultural research centers in the world, also maintains one of the world’s largest coffee germplasm collections. The Association of Scientific Researchers of the State of São Paulo (APqC) recently voiced its opposition to the proposed sale. Government officials recently told the publication Valor International that the sale is in the study phase.
La Marzocco and Mahlkönig Officially Release Sync System in US and Australia
Espresso machine giant La Marzocco and grinder maker Mahlkönig officially rolled out their new Sync system in the U.S. market. The two companies first introduced Sync to the coffee world at last year’s HostMilano trade show in Italy. The system pairs a new Mahlkönig grinder model, called the E80 Grind-by-Sync (GBS), with nearly every AV or ABR La Marzocco machine. The machines then communicate to one another after app-based connections, allowing monitoring of dose weight, beverage weight, and espresso shot time. Given that data, the Sync system is designed to automatically adjust grind settings in real time for desired outcomes. The Sync system pairing was made available in the U.S. and Australia through the La Marzocco Pro app on Nov. 7. More countries are expected to follow.
Cup of Excellence and SCA Hosting ‘Cup the World’ Events
The organizers of the Cup of Excellence competition and the Specialty Coffee Association are jointly hosting ticketed events in Portland, Oregon, and London called “Cup the World,” featuring a range of winning coffees from this year’s Cup of Excellence circuit.
13 Coffees Score 90+ in Brazil Cup of Excellence
The Cup of Excellence concluded last week in Brazil, awarding coffee producers in three categories: Experimental; Dry; and Wet Process. In total, 13 coffees scored above 90 points, representing 10 different regions. The Brazil CoE online auction is scheduled for Dec. 10.
ICO Releases Monthly Global Coffee Market Report
The International Coffee Organization (ICO) released its global market report for the month of October, showing a composite indicator price of US$2.5056 per pound, a 3.2% decrease from September 2024.
Retail Food Group Buys Cibo Espresso Chain in Australia
Australian franchise giant Retail Food Group (RFG) has acquired the coffee chain Cibo Espresso from previous owner Retail Zoo for approximately US$1.8 million, according to a report from Inside Retail. RFG said it plans to convert Cibo stores into Gloria Jean’s locations.
Study Explores How Smallholder Farmers Use Phones
Research published last month sheds new light on how smallholder farmers use their phones to communicate or receive information assistance. “We describe 18 potential behavioral barriers that should be checked before implementing mobile information services for smallholder agriculture.
Jittery Joe’s Launches a Jason Isbell Coffee
Athens, Georgia-based coffee roaster Jittery Joe’s has introduced Jason Isbell Southeastern Coffee, celebrating the Grammy-winning Americana singer and songwriter’s 10-year anniversary on the Southeastern record label.
Say Yes to ‘Yeah, No… Yeah Coffee’
Minneapolis-based Relative Coffee Company has teamed with fellow coffee content brand Roast! West Coast to launch Yeah, No… Yeah Coffee, the first in a series of collaborative blends. Relative owner Bryant Banker-Scannell and Roast! West Coast founder Ryan Woldt, the host of the Coffee People and Coffee Smarter podcasts, both hail from the Upper Midwest.
Iconic Portland Coffee Company to Close
Portland, Oregon-based Jim & Patty’s announced it is permanently closing (Facebook) both its remaining locations this November. The company, whose roots in coffee go back decades, previously sought to raise $250,000 through GoFundMe to stay afloat.
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Here are some of DCN’s top stories from the past week…
Roast Summit Chicago Served a Deep Dish of Roasting Education
While Roast has hosted numerous Summits in our home city of Portland, Oregon (and online during the pandemic), this was the first venture eastward for the event series… read more
SCA Officially Adopts New Cupping Forms and Standards
The move effectively replaces the SCA’s coffee cupping form and protocol that were first published by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) in 2004 and became widely adopted as industry standards… read more
WCR and Cornell University Leading $5 Million Coffee Breeding Project
Called The Coffee Improvement Program, the five-year initiative will involve the development of tools to increase the speed and precision of coffee breeding, the delivery of tools and training to national coffee breeding programs in coffee-producing countries, plus a case study exploring coffee seed systems globally… read more
Verve Coffee Roasters’ Latest Fixation is the Dwell Dripper
It’s rare for a coffee roasting company to get into equipment development, yet Colby Barr and a team at California’s Verve Coffee Roasters kept ruminating on the concept that a filter can also be the essence of the brewer… read more
Three Questions with Coffee and Bakery Consultant Erica Escalante
Erica Escalante has always been motivated by curiosity, a desire to know why things work the way they do… read more
Asip Coffee Focused on Flavor at The Sensory Lab in Merced, CA
Asip Coffee Founder Justin Shen, a certified Q Grader and US Roaster Championship committee chair and head judge, said the new shop’s combination of concrete and natural wood surfaces is designed to help guests feel grounded and relaxed while focusing on the magic in their cups… read more
Design Details: The Dynamic Coffee Installation at Beanroom in Taipei
Set back from the street beneath a towering banyan tree in Taipai is Beanroom, a specialty coffee shop where consumer choices create a dynamic facade… read more
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