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The Black is Beautiful Box Set
Georgia-based Portrait Coffee just launched a limited-edition Black is Beautiful box set of five specialty coffees, each coming from a different Black-owned company in the United States. Coffees in the set come from Portrait, Three Keys Coffee, Boon Boona Coffee, Eight50 Coffee and Cxffeeblack. The box set features a variety of coffee origins, post-harvest processes, with “each telling a story of heritage, creativity and community through flavor,” according to Portrait. The Black is Beautiful box set is available for pre-order on Feb 4., with shipping on Feb 7.
Coffee Prices Reach Record Highs
On Wednesday, Jan. 29, the ICE arabica futures price (a.k.a. “C price”) reached another all-time high, ending the day above $3.60 per pound. Reuters offered some insight into the recent price dynamics.
Brenna Worthen Retires from La Marzocco USA
After spending 46 years in the coffee industry, including the last 35 with La Marzocco USA, Brenna Worthen recently announced her retirement. Worthen recalled the early days of the company, formerly a scrappy startup. Many of her current duties will fall to La Marzocco USA’s Luke Steitz, according to the announcement.
Original CommonWealth Coffeehouse in Foreclosure
The original location of the small San Antonio coffee chain CommonWealth Coffeehouse is in foreclosure, with a sales date forthcoming, according to a report from My San Antonio. “The sale will be conducted in a public auction to the highest bidder for cash,” the country’s foreclosure notice says.
Fairtrade Foundation Announces Eleanor Harrison as new CEO
The Fairtrade Foundation, the UK branch of Fairtrade International, recently announced Eleanor Harrison as its new Chief Executive Officer. Harrison will step into the role in March, taking over interim CEO and current CFO.
Mighty Good Coffee Names Jess Harmon Managing Director
Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Mighty Good Coffee recently appointed Jess Harmon its new managing director. Harmon will be taking over many of the duties previously held by Mighty Good managing partner David Myers, who is focusing on multiple coffee projects in North Carolina.
Gregorys Coffee Releases new ENER-G Drinks
New York-based chain Gregorys Coffee entered new beverage and cultural territory with the launch of an energy drink called ENER-G. The drink comes in two “flavors” — Blue Steel and Island Bolt — and will be available at all of Gregorys’ 50+ locations.
Roastar and R!WC Coffee Network Reach Sponsorship Deal
The Roast! West Coast (R!WC) content network announced a new sponsorship deal with Wausau, Wisconsin-based packaging maker. The company will be the presenting sponsor of R!WC’s Coffee Smarter and Coffee People podcast series, while also helping to support an upcoming West Coast podcast tour.
Researchers Explore New Mathematical Models Regarding Espresso Pre-Infusion
In a recent study published in AIP Publishing: Physics of Fluids, a group of researchers tested a new method for experimentally validating coffee models focused on the initial wetting phase of an espresso bed. The researchers said the initial wetting of espresso plays a key role in the overall extraction, yet remains under-studied.
Ebru Coffee Launches New Website
Audubon, Pennsylvania-based Ebru Coffee just unveiled its redesigned website, which allows coffee lovers to buy single-origin specialty coffees globally. The website also serves as an educational hub for coffee enthusiasts.
New from CoffeeIndustryJobs.com
- Sustainability Reporting Coordinator — Westrock Coffee Company
- PRODUCTION ROASTER — Denim Coffee Company
- Coffee Equipment Technician | Alfred HQ — Alfred Coffee Inc.
- Specialty Coffee Sales — Balzac
ICYMI
Here are some of DCN’s top stories from the past week…
Study Confirms Coffee Rust Fungicides Toxic to Farmworkers
A new study revealed significant health risks for coffee farmworkers in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil, stemming from exposure to triazole fungicides… read more
Coffee Industry on Edge as Trump Briefly Proposes 25% Tariffs on Colombian Goods
A dramatic escalation of diplomatic tensions between United States President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro sent a shockwave through a global coffee industry over the weekend… read more
Inside One of France’s Most Enduring Roasteries, Brûlerie du Léon
Yvette Bozec is more than just a matriarch; she is a French coffee roasting pioneer… read more
NKG Decentralizes Top Leadership, Names New CEO for the Americas
Hamburg, Germany-based green coffee conglomerate Neumann Kaffee Gruppe (NKG) is decentralizing its executive leadership structure, introducing three regional CEOs leading offices in the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe, and Middle East and Africa (EMEA)… read more
From China, the Roma Pro Home Roaster Automates Up to 300 Grams
A 300-gram-capacity fluid-bed coffee roaster called the Roma Pro Smart Home Coffee Bean Roaster is entering the United States market… read more
Carlo Di Ruocco, the Original Mr. Espresso, Dies at 90
Carlo Di Ruocco, the Italian-born founder of the California roasting company Mr. Espresso who helped introduce espresso to a generation of Americans, died in his sleep on Jan. 17 at the age of 90… read more
Office Coffee Giant Eurest Rolls Out Direct Coffee Brand
Office foodservice and catering company Eurest USA recently rolled out a coffee brand of its own called Direct Coffee Roasters… read more
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