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Weekly Coffee News: Proud Mary’s All-Cold Journey + A Macro Cortado

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Proud Mary Coffee

Image courtesy of Proud Mary.

Proud Mary Coffee Partners with Lost Origin for an All-Cold Coffee Journey

In mid December, Australia and United States-based high-end coffee roaster Proud Mary Coffee launched the first release from its Cool Beans Project. Following what Proud Mary Owner and Director Nolan Hirte described as nearly 10 years of dreaming and planning, the coffee was transported from the field in refrigerated trucks before experimental processing and cold-shipping to the United States. Proud Mary partnered with Panama-based Lost Origin Coffee Lab for the cold-transport and processing of the coffee, which was then shipped to the United States in insulated packaging before heading straight into a freezer in Austin, Texas, prior to roasting. The roasted coffees are then shipped with insulated packaging to U.S. consumers for $40 per 100-gram tin. Said Hirte, “The goal is to keep it below 68ºF the whole way on its journey, from origin to end user, never letting it get warm or hot, ever.”

Starbucks Adds Massive Cortado to its Menu

To kick off the new year, Starbucks added a cortado to its lineup of espresso-based beverages. The Starbucks Cortado is only available hot and in an 8-ounce size, which is approximately twice the size of a typical cortado.

Study Assesses Arabica Land Suitability in China

A recent study published in Scientific Reports assessed the habitat suitability for Arabica coffee in Yunnan Province, China, by creating a comprehensive decision-making model using Best-Worst Method (BWM) and Base-Criterion Method (BCM), based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The results revealed that the lowest temperature during the coldest month plays a fundamental role in facilitating coffee growth and development.

State of the Surcharge Report on Non-Dairy Milk

A report from the think tank Center for Responsible Food Business provides an overview of coffee chains that have dropped the surcharge on non-dairy milk or have never had one in the first place. Among 40-plus leading U.S. chains, approximately 65% of the total locations do not include an up-charge for non-dairy milks. Notably, that figure is dramatically affected by Starbucks’ decision to discontinue up-charges.

2nd Annual Saudi Sip of Excellence Competition Announced

The Saudi Coffee Company announced it is hosting the second annual Saudi Sip of Excellence Competition in the Southern Region of the Kingdom. The green coffee competition will run through January, with awards and an auction to follow.

BOKALDO Buys Colombian Farmland

UK-based investment firm BOKALDO Group recently purchased farmland in Nariño and Cauca for growing coffee and cacao respectively. “This year’s price margins for cacao were elevated,” Boleslavs Denisovs CEO and Managing Director of Bokaldo Group Limited said in an announcement of the purchase.

Coffee Market Report for December 2024 now in English

The International Coffee Organization (ICO) released its Coffee Market Report for the month of December. The ICO Composite Indicator Price averaged US$2.9961 per pound over the month, a 10.7% increase from November.

Convive Coffee to Open at Pittsburgh International Airport

Pittsburgh-based specialty coffee purveyor Convive Coffee is opening a coffee shop in Concourse A of the Pittsburgh International Airport, according to a Pittsburgh magazine report. The new shop will be the company’s fifth retail location overall.

Bucharest Coffee Festival 2025 Dates Announced

The Bucharest Coffee Festival is scheduled to take place at Hala Laminor, Bucharest, on March 21-23, 2025. The three-day festival will include the Romanian national barista championship, workshops, tastings and cultural activities.

Peet’s Coffee’s ‘Vitality Menu’ Introduces ‘Proffee’ 

Peet’s Coffee introduced a “Vitality Menu,” including protein-added lattes called “proffee.” Made with Bob’s Red Mill whey protein powder, the proffees drinks are available hot or iced, in vanilla, golden or matcha flavors.

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

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FDA Says Coffee with Less Than Five Calories Can Be Called ‘Healthy’

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is updating its rules regarding the use of the term “healthy” in food product labeling and content claims… read more

Three Questions with Filmmaker and Third Space Coffee Owner Brooke Bierhaus Sutton

Opening a coffee shop might seem like an unlikely path for a documentary filmmaker, but for Brooke Bierhaus Sutton, the connection is clear… read more

Iowa’s Euphoria Coffee Finds a Happy Home in Calmar

Jubilation comes in the form of fresh-roasted coffee at the new Euphoria Coffee shop in Northeastern Iowa… read more

The Barista League Coming to Six Global Regions in 2025

Now 10 years old, The Barista League event series is refining its international focus with six events planned for six different global regions… read more

10-Year-Old Upstate NY Brewery Sprouts Common Roots Coffee

In the foothills of the Adirondacks in upstate New York, a fresh coffee business called Common Roots Coffee is shooting up like a sapling alongside its well-established craft brewing parent tree, Common Roots Brewing… read more

Study: Coffee Drinking Significantly Reduces Head and Neck Cancer Risk

Drinking four or more cups of coffee per day is linked with a significant reduction in the risk of head and neck cancers, according to a comprehensive analysis of global data… read more

Creature’s Plants & Coffee Offers Multiple Comforts in LA

A hybrid plant nursery and coffee shop named Creature’s Plants & Coffee opened in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles last fall, creating connections between plants, people and coffee… read more

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