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FAO Opens Grants for Coffee Enterprises in Western Kenya
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is accepting applications through Nov. 9 for grants supporting nature-based enterprises in western Kenya’s Mt. Elgon region. Eligible applicants include registered producer organizations, cooperatives and community organizations operating in designated areas of Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties.
Rapide Proposes Stake in Unnamed Indonesian Coffee Trader
Florida-based holding company Rapide Group said it has signed a letter of intent to acquire 70% of an Indonesian robusta sourcing, processing and trading business for $1.5 million in restricted shares. The company operates two sites in Bandar Lampung, Sumatra, and recorded approximately $9.6 million in sales during January-September 2026, according to Rapine. As of Oct. 29, a website identified as the “targeted merger candidate” said that the company name and profile are being withheld.
Hawaii Coffee Association Seeks Judges for 2027 Competition and Auction
The Hawaii Coffee Association is accepting judge applications for the 2027 Best of Hawai‘i Coffee Competition, which will include the program’s first auction of selected top-performing lots. Pre-selection judging is scheduled for March 5-8 in Kona, followed by final judging March 15-17.
China’s Pan Wei Wins 2026 World Barista Championship
Pan Wei, representing China, won the 2026 World Barista Championship on Oct. 25 at the Panama Convention Center during World of Coffee Panama, becoming the 26th World Barista Champion as recognized by the Specialty Coffee Association. Shing Win of Malaysia finished second and Frederick Ruben of the United Arab Emirates placed third. Gabrel Tan of Australia, Jane Kawinnart of Thailand and Jill Hoff of Canada rounded out the top six.
Keurig Launches Alta Brewer with Pressed Coffee Rounds
Keurig has launched its Alta brewing system in the U.S. for $499, pairing the brewer with pressed coffee portions wrapped in a plant-based coating. Called AltaRounds, the portions contain no plastic or aluminum, according to the company. Keurig first teased the new brewing device in 2024.
De’Longhi Redesigns All-in-One Coffee and Espresso Machine
Italian home appliance giant De’Longhi has introduced its redesigned All-in-One Combination Coffee & Espresso Machine, priced at $349.95 in the U.S. The company says the machine occupies 20% less counter space than its predecessor and adds a retractable cold frother.
Pavement Coffeehouse Opens 10th Location
Boston-based Pavement Coffeehouse has opened its 10th cafe inside Tufts University’s Joyce Cummings Center in Medford. Founded by Larry Margulies, Pavement opened its first cafe in 2010 and now roasts in Woburn, Massachusetts. The opening extends a business that brought roasting in-house in 2018.
Raleigh’s The Optimist Files for Chapter 11, Continues Operations
The Optimist in Raleigh, North Carolina, says it will continue operating normally following a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by operating company ABC Raw LLC. The business lists two coffee shops, on Brookside Drive and Creedmoor Road. According to a Triangle Business Journal report, the company owes approximately $742,000 in unpaid taxes. The Optimist said on Instagram that staff would continue to be paid and coffee and food service would continue.
Coffee Meets Sneakers in Multiple Collabs
Portland, Oregon-based Deadstock Coffee has teamed with Adidas on the Adistar Control 5 Special Brew, scheduled for limited release Oct. 30, according to a Sole Retriever report. Meanwhile, Todd Snyder and New Balance have released the T500 Cafe Pack, featuring Espresso and Milk colors inspired by neighborhood coffee shops.
Third Wave Water Marks 10 Years with Onyx Anniversary Box
Xenia, Ohio-based Third Wave Water is marking its 10th anniversary with limited-edition boxes featuring Onyx Coffee Lab’s natural-process Costa Rica Cumbres del Poas coffee. Each box includes two Classic Light Roast Profile mineral boxes, two Medium Roast Profile boxes, a commemorative coin and an aluminum tin recalling the company’s original packaging.
New from CoffeeIndustryJobs.com
- Sales Representative, Mid-Atlantic Territory — La Marzocco
- Pastry Chef at Minifactory in Vermont — Minifactory
- Head Roaster | Teleo Roasting Company — Teleo Roasting Co.
- Specialty Coffee Sensory Evaluator — Coffee Bros.
- Specialty Coffee Sales Associate — Balzac
- Field Service Technician – NW NJ / Southern Border of NY — Eversys, Inc.
- Territory Sales Manager — Mountain Region — Eversys, Inc.
- Territory Sales Manager — Texas Region — Eversys, Inc.
- Production Roaster — Joe Coffee Company
- Field Service Technician — Ozo Coffee Roasters
ICYMI
Here are some of DCN’s top stories from the past week…
Massive Coffee Variety Trial Reveals Yield and Leaf Rust Winners
The coffee industry’s largest coordinated field trial found that recently bred arabica varieties generally delivered higher yields and stronger coffee leaf rust resistance than traditional pure-arabica varieties. The study analyzed 32 varieties across 30 research sites in 17 countries, with performance varying significantly by climate… read more
Kilo Coffee Weighs Every Detail at New Dallas Cafe
Kilo Coffee opened a high-end specialty coffee bar in University Park, Texas, featuring a 45-foot U-shaped bar, an 11-foot slow bar and a frozen library of single-origin coffees. The shop combines manual brewing and single-dose grinding with a super-automatic espresso system for higher-volume drinks… read more
AI Coffee Defect Detector Gets Much Smarter When It Flips the Beans
A research team in Mexico developed a prototype AI-based green coffee inspection system that photographs both sides of coffee, improving defect detection by 25.7% compared with single-sided imaging. The researchers cautioned that testing involved a limited sample and the prototype is not a high-volume commercial sorter… read more
U.S. Coffee Drink Calories Climbed 40% in 15-Year Span
A study involving more than 30,000 U.S. adults found that average calories consumed from coffee drinks rose from 43 to 60 per day between 2003 and 2018, while coffee volume remained roughly stable. Nondairy creamer was the biggest driver of the increase. The study documented consumption trends and did not examine health outcomes… read more
DiFluid RS Extract Expands the Temperature Range for Coffee TDS
Coffee analysis equipment maker DiFluid introduced the $639 RS Extract refractometer, designed to measure total dissolved solids across a wider range of sample temperatures. The device can test brewed coffee from 4 to 65 degrees Celsius and connect directly to DiFluid scales to display live brew data… read more
De’Longhi Boosts Ownership of La Marzocco and Eversys Business to 88%
De’Longhi Group paid €662.5 million, approximately US$744 million, to increase its ownership of the professional coffee business containing La Marzocco and Eversys from about 61% to 88%. The transaction came as revenue from the combined business rose more than 50% since the structure was announced in 2023… read more
Weber Workshops Launches Thoroughly Redesigned EG-1 Grinder
Weber Workshops unveiled a major internal redesign of its flagship EG-1 single-dose grinder, adding a new motor, grinding chamber, exit path, bean-feeding system and electronic controls. The redesigned machine starts at $4,450, with shipments expected to begin in the coming weeks… read more
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