Although it’s still a niche market, interest in rare and exclusive varieties has certainly been growing in recent years. In some cases, it’s the mystery around the origins of these coffees that generates the most interest – including Papayo. A relatively unknown arabica variety grown in Huila, Colombia, Papayo received its name from its coffee cherries which resemble the papaya fruit. There has been, however, some confusion about where Papayo comes from – which can create its own set of issues. Similar to other “up and coming” varieties like Pink Bourbon and Ombligon, it wouldn’t be surprising ..read more

Every Friday, Perfect Daily Grind rounds up the top coffee industry news from the previous week.  Here are this week’s stories – the word of the week is research. Mon, 15 Apr UK’s Crosstown seeks fresh investment to fuel international expansion. The London-based craft doughnut and specialty coffee chain has partnered with Interpath Advisory to seek new investors. Crosstown operates 16 UK stores, and plans to open locations in the Middle East. Mahlkönig celebrates 100th anniversary. Established in Hamburg, Germany in 1924 as Stawert Mühlenbau GmbH & Co. KG, Mahlkönig has become ..read more

The US has always loved coffee – most notably with its penchant for drinking filter – so it comes as no surprise that consumption is on the rise in the country.  According to the latest data from the National Coffee Association, over two-thirds of American adults reported drinking coffee the previous day (which is more than any other beverage, including tap and bottled water). The NCA says this number has increased by 37% since 2004 – marking the highest levels in over 20 years. What’s more, the amount of people in the US drinking specialty coffee in the past week has also increased by 7 ..read more

Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. In fact, in the National Coffee Association’s most recent 2024 National Coffee Data Trends report, 67% of US adults said they drank coffee the previous day – marking a 20-year high for coffee consumption in the country. The report also found that US specialty coffee consumption was up by 7.5% on the previous year, with espresso-based drinks leading the trend. So as the global specialty coffee market grows, so too does consumer knowledge and interest – especially alongside a huge focus on consumer education following the pandemic. Essen ..read more

Although it’s incredibly rewarding, running a roastery certainly comes with its own set of challenges. And the past few years have been particularly difficult to navigate – with a volatile C price, supply chain issues, and economic downturn, to name a few hurdles. So to tackle these issues – and remain profitable in an increasingly competitive market – roasters need to be creative. But in order to have the bandwidth to stay innovative, roasters need to seamlessly consolidate and streamline their operations and systems.  Inevitably, this means a growing reliance on technology that can impr ..read more

For centuries, many producers have been growing coffee with other cash crops for a number of reasons. But in recent years, with climate change, an increasingly volatile market, and growing international competition, coffee farmers have had to explore other ways to diversify. Many producers aren’t able to take on much risk, largely because they are already operating at levels that barely allow them to make ends meet. But one of several ways to adapt successfully is crop diversification – a farming practice whereby producers grow different crops that don’t compete for similar nutrients and resou ..read more

Every Friday, Perfect Daily Grind rounds up the top coffee industry news from the previous week.  Here are this week’s stories – the word of the week is competitions. Mon, 8 Apr The Barista League to return to Mexico City on 18 April. This will be the third edition of the event in Mexico’s capital, and will be held at Supremo on Calle Dr. Carmona y Valle 147. Judges will include 2023 World Brewers Cup Champion Carlos Medina. Arabica prices hit 18-month high as hedge funds switch from cocoa to coffee. Following rising demand after robusta supply shortages in Vietnam, arabica future ..read more

On Friday 12 April, the Specialty Coffee Expo will return to Chicago, Illinois. The annual event is one of the biggest – and most important – in the global coffee industry, with thousands attending every year. Expo brings together coffee professionals from across the supply chain – from roasters to producers to equipment manufacturers to coffee business owners. Here, attendees get the chance to network, establish new connections and partnerships, and see the latest innovation in specialty coffee. Read on to learn more about what’s happening at the 2024 Specialty Coffee Expo, as well as who is ..read more

To secure a sustainable future for the coffee industry, reducing carbon emissions is absolutely essential. Although all levels of the supply chain produce emissions – from roasteries to the transportation of coffee – the focus is often on coffee farms. Many would agree that it’s never been more important to minimise the environmental impact of coffee production. In January 2024, the European Union’s climate service reported that the previous year was the hottest on record – driven by human-induced climate change. Rising air and sea temperatures, as well as unpredictable weather patterns and mo ..read more

Every Friday, Perfect Daily Grind rounds up the top coffee industry news from the previous week.  Here are this week’s stories – the word of the week is events. Mon, 1 Apr TORR Industries announces merger with Brew Bomb. TORR Industries has acquired a majority stake in Brew Bomb – a cold coffee brewing solution manufacturer. The acquisition will merge TORR Industries’ HIVE BREW system with Brew Bomb’s IoT capabilities. Raymond Buerger will lead TORR’s coffee division, aiming to advance its coffee extraction technology. Oatly introduces Malmö Oat Milkers as Minor League Baseball’s ..read more